I don't know for others but for me, I always says ***"Farming Is Life"***. Let's have Simple look at Challenges, Practices and Healthy Living Through Vegetables as contain in the contest. But before that, to @ninapenda I must say I always admire your kind of agricultural contest topics and thanks bring this one up again. Farming is something I’ve always seen as a way of life, not just a business as few or many regards it for. In farming, whether you are growing cassava in the village or raising maize for the market, one thing is always clear and that, is that agriculture touches every home. Let me share from my own experience and what I’ve seen my fellow farmers go through in regards to the contest hints.

🌱Explain 5 challenges farmers face on the farm.

| |- ![px-downloadg471e6d8b](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVEMsZjSm5YkbaZ1qPg5ZUwSLWDVXq9roPVwUBPaX4J6q/px-downloadg471e6d8ba6f1df9b96197b3727582c8db0eaa5608d91b9df3ec6581c21934c5ecf0b648a484d9f330df9f6b5b4d154b992c464e52b14bebe2f0669e4332772a8a48cd48ca89d9c8a565e0e2646f2c3ec_1280.png) [Source](https://pixabay.com/vectors/ai-generated-farmer-farming-8772391/) >I will say farming in my country Nigeria and honestly even around the world, comes with its own stress.There are numbers of challenges, I’ve faced or seen others deal with but I will pinpoint on the most difficult challenges: ***Unpredictable Weather:*** If you are a farmer, you will agree with me that there are years the rains will come too late or too early and sometimes flood will even wash the crops away and that feelings to have flood wash away crops usually makes it hard to plan when to plant. ***Pests and Diseases:*** I wouldn't want to go deep on how I managed to recovered from the depression that comes with my loss on seeing my healthy tomatoes on my farm go bad overnight due to whiteflies. Sometimes you spray and still lose the battle if you're not careful with the right mixture or timing. ***High Cost of Inputs:*** This one in particuar is a very serious challenge for farmers who want to expand on their crop production. When fertilizers and improved seeds become expensive. It becomes a challenge to secure viable seed and necessary nutrient. In fact, during planting season, prices go up even more and sme of us have to borrow or reduce the size of our farms. ***Lack of Tools and Mechanization:*** Most small farmers still use hoes and cutlasses and by this, I will first of all refer to the rural part of the world of which those farmers don't have the financial means to purchase expensive but necessary tools and mechanization. I mean, using this less cheap tools and manual labour slows things down and increases labour costs. My neighbor tried to rent a tractor, but it broke down mid-job and you can imagine the frustration. ***Poor Access to Market:*** After harvest, selling is another struggle. Middlemen buy at very low prices, and we don’t have good storage, so perishable crops spoil easily.

🌱 How does farming practices help the environment?

| |- ![px-downloadg84281971](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdjLuhds7PWtJdBWh2EatfwobH6vNfP9xcsVCBKDALkH8/px-downloadg84281971a12ade2dce99c0e7795188940e6add5c9ca2ea9532a44722f3ece6b4e3a31d370c479a1c719feecee9d7a11c9540ee69845147922b0b34d38b0a06e291a1622617c97e9a6ab9759418976e34_1280.png) [Source](https://pixabay.com/vectors/forest-trees-plants-woods-greenery-148727/) First of all, it is not just anyhow(cutting down trees and burning bushes etc) farming that will help the environment but farming the right way actually protects the environment. From my cassava farm, I’ve learned a few things: ***a)*** I cultivate a lots of farmland and when I don't follow my labourers to one, I instruct them to plant trees along the boundaries of my farm while keeping distance from the farm crops and this help to reduce wind erosion and protect the land. These trees also help with shade and attract birds that eat harmful insects. ***b)*** Crop rotation is another secret and this helps the soil rest because instead of planting the same thing every time, try mixing it up. For instance, cassava this year then beans the next and all this is to help keep the soil healthy. ***c)*** This were my little secret I learned while in primary and secondary school. My class teacher usually say, compost and animal manure are better than just chemical fertilizers. They improve the soil structure and reduce the need for synthetic products. ***d)*** most time, I wondered where my grandma learn that from because I learned that one from her. Mulching with dry grass or leaves controls weeds and keeps the moisture as It also has the potential to stops the soil from washing away during heavy rains.

🌱 What do you add to the soil before you plant a crop? And explain the processes.

| |- ![pexels-media-169523.](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRAXbo9pbX1sMLAjtn5knce4EKBTqiBAbiBuEA6VrWu82/pexels-media-169523.jpeg) [Source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-planting-plant-169523) I didn't study agriculture in my university, in fact, I am a biochemist but I love following procedures of what gives success. I learned most of what I know from friends and the basic from my grandma. So, before I plant any crop, I prepare the soil well and here's what I do, and it works for others around me too: ***Clearing and Testing the Soil:*** I first clear the land and check if it’s too sandy, too clayey or too acidic. Some people use test kits but I mostly go by the look and feel plus what was planted there last. ***Adding Organic Matter:*** Next, I mix in compost or chicken droppings to enrich the soil and a case study for my maize is, I usually leave it for one week for everything to settle in before planting. ***Ridge or Bed Making:*** This is very common my home state Akwa Ibom and neighbouring state Cross River. Mounds or ridges are made especially for yam and cassava and this helps water drainage and supports root growth. ***Water Management:*** Before planting, I first observe texture of the soil and If the soil is too dry, I water lightly before planting. If it’s too wet, I wait a bit or dig small trenches to drain it out. ***Final Tilling:*** I either pay when I am less chance or do it myself by tilling the soil finely as seeds need loose soil to germinate quickly.

🌱 Explain the best way to cook and eat vegetables.

| |- ![pexels-media-9986235](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmes43gY12sDoK9zEmXHgXinC2DyZFx1YpEzBLMBfuQzD8/pexels-media-9986235.jpeg) [Source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-slicing-vegetables-on-chopping-board-9986235) I am not a great cook but I am a great farmer. I will be basic in this and I hope the great chef reading this thick me right lolz. As someone who grew up with fresh ugu (fluted pumpkin) and waterleaf in the backyard, I know how important vegetables are for good health but the way you cook them matters too. It either contribute to your good health or maybe bad health because, that will be it opposite. ***Don’t overcook:*** This one come from my profession as a biochemist. When you boil vegetables for too long, they lose their color, taste and vitamins. My mum is usually funny with this things because she knows too well how important it is. And sh always says, ***“once it goes from green to dull, the goodness is gone.”***😂 ***Wash before cutting:*** I am a living witness to have seen how many people wash after chopping and the don't question this acts of theirs. They don't know this washes away nutrients. For me, I always rinse the whole leaves first then chop. ***Use little water:*** I Know of a home who don't like this but it is the best. I use a small amount of water when cooking okra or ugu and I am telling you this for free, steaming is better than boiling with too much water. ***Cook with palm oil or groundnut oil:***. What these oils help do is to absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A and K. ***Eat with protein:*** I don't know for you but for me, I enjoy vegetables with beans, fish or egg. I enjoy boiled ugu with egg sauce and yam and it is a meal that fills and nourishes. ***Fermented vegetables:*** I am not a fan to this but In some areas of my community people ferment their vegetables like okazi. It's not just tasty though most don't do it for taste but for it health benefits for the stomach. >From the farm to the kitchen, the journey of vegetables teaches us to handle what we grow with care, right from the soil to the pot and you should practice that in a Healthy manner. I invite on @impersonal @ngoenyi @ruthjoe to participate in the contest. # Thank you for reading.

Best Regards @berda01

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