By Oluseye Ojo
As the scorching sun beats down on the bustling Bodija Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Temiloluwa Adegoke navigates the crowded stalls, her basket brimming with fresh produce.
But unlike the other vendors, Temiloluwa’s wares didn’t come from a distant farm – they were grown right in her own backyard.
“I don’t have to worry about the skyrocketing food prices or making that long trek to the market anymore,” she said with a satisfied smile spreading across her face. “My family’s needs are taken care of, and I even have extra to sell.”
Temiloluwa is one of a growing number of Nigerians, who have turned to backyard gardening as a solution to the country’s spiraling cost of living. With food inflation reaching a staggering 23.37 per cent in February 2023, households are feeling the pinch, struggling to afford basic necessities.
However, the humble backyard garden has emerged as a sustainable, cost-effective way for families to secure their food supply and weather the economic storm.
By cultivating their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, Nigerians like Temiloluwa are not only saving money but also enjoying the benefits of fresh, nutritious produce.
“It’s a game-changer,” Temiloluwa enthused. “I can walk out of my back door and pick whatever I need for the day’s meals. And I know it’s all organic, without any harmful chemicals.”
Lifeline for struggling families
The concept of backyard gardening, or ‘backyard farming’ as it’s sometimes called, is not new to Nigeria. For generations, families have maintained small plots of land adjacent to their homes, growing a variety of crops to supplement their diets.
But in the face of the current economic crisis, this age-old practice has taken on a renewed importance, becoming a lifeline for many struggling households.
“When the prices of goods at the market started skyrocketing, I knew I had to find a way to provide for my family without going broke,” said Adebayo Olusegun, a father of four in Lagos. “That’s when I decided to start my own backyard garden.”
Olusegun, who had previously relied on the local market for his family’s produce, transformed a small corner of his compound into a thriving oasis of leafy greens, vibrant tomatoes, and fragrant herbs.
“It’s been a game-changer for us. Instead of spending hundreds of naira on vegetables every week, I can just walk out to the backyard farm and pick what I need. It’s saving us so much money, and the food is so much fresher and healthier.”
Beyond the immediate cost savings, it was gathered that backyard gardening also provides a measure of food security for families, insulating them from the volatility of the market.
Mrs. Aminat Usman, a mother of four who lost her husband last year, also said: “With the way prices keep going up, you never know when you might not be able to afford the basics “But with my backyard garden, I know my family will always have access to nutritious food, no matter what happens. It’s been a real lifesaver for us. I don’t have to worry about where our next meal is coming from, at least to some extent.”
Promoting health and sustainability
Experts have said the benefits of backyard gardening extend far beyond just cost savings. By growing their own food, Nigerians are also ensuring that their families have access to fresh, nutrient-dense produce, free from the harmful pesticides and chemicals that often contaminate commercially-grown crops.
“When you buy from the market, you never really know what’s been done to the fruits and vegetables,” says Temiloluwa. “But when I grow it myself, I know it’s 100 per cent organic and safe for my family to eat.”
The emphasis on health and sustainability, as gathered, is a driving force behind the backyard gardening movement in Nigeria.
As the country grapples with rising rates of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, many are turning to home-grown produce as a way to promote better nutrition and overall wellbeing.
“It’s not just about saving money – it’s about taking control of our own health and the health of our planet,” says Amina Usman. “By growing our own food, we’re reducing our reliance on industrialised agriculture and the chemicals that come with it.”
The backyard gardening also has significant environmental benefits, as it helps to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices. Many gardeners, like Adebayo Olusegun, repurpose household items like old tyres, buckets, and even discarded plastic bottles to create their garden beds and containers.
“It’s a way of giving new life to things that would otherwise end up in a landfill or polluting our waterways. And it’s teaching my kids the importance of being resourceful and environmentally conscious,” Olusegun explained.
Saturday Sun was also told that the act of gardening itself could have a profound impact on mental health and well-being. For many Nigerians, tending to their backyard plots has become a therapeutic and rejuvenating experience, providing a much-needed respite from the stresses of daily life.
“There’s just something so calming and grounding about being out in the garden, watching things grow,” Temiloluwa stated. “It’s a way for me to disconnect from the chaos of the city and find a sense of peace and purpose.”
Cultivating a greener, more resilient future
As the economic crisis continues to squeeze Nigerian households, the call for widespread adoption of backyard gardening has grown louder.
Advocates and community organisations are increasingly stepping up to promote the benefits of this sustainable, cost-effective practice.
“We see backyard gardening as a critical component of building a more food-secure and resilient Nigeria,” submitted Mrs. Chioma Njoku, the director of a local non-profit organisation that provides training and resources to aspiring gardeners.
Njoku’s organisation, which operates in several states across the country, has witnessed a surge in interest from Nigerians seeking to establish their own backyard oases.
Through workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and the distribution of seeds and seedlings, they are empowering communities to take control of their food supply and improve their overall quality of life.
“It’s not just about teaching people how to garden. It’s about instilling a sense of self-reliance, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. These are the values that will help Nigeria weather this crisis and build a brighter, more resilient future,” Njoku said.
My experience in backyard farming – Oyo APC publicist
The Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress APC) in Oyo State, Alhaji Olawale Sadare, has also keyed into the backyard farming. He highlighted the cost savings and taste difference of his own vegetables compared to store-bought ones and encourages others to engage in backyard farming to feed their families.
He told Saturday Sun: “I began backyard farming less than three months ago. I am doing the farming on the land at the back of my house, which is inside my fence. I planted okra, pepper, jute mallow that is known as ewedu in Yoruba, amaranth greens known as efo tete, and so on.
“We are a family of six, comprising myself, my wife, my three children, and one dependant. In our house, we prepare vegetable soup three times in a week, and the least amount that we spend on buying vegetable once is N1,000, making N3,000 in a week, apart from other things. If you calculate it, it will be at least N12,000 in a month only on leafy vegetables.
“I can tell you that for the past two months, we have not bought vegetables in the market. We have been getting the vegetables from the backyard farm. This means, I have saved N24,000 that I would have used to buy vegetables within the past two months.
“Again, the Eid-el-Kabir that we held in June 2024, the vegetables that we used for cooking, we got everything from the backyard farm. I would have spent a lot of money to buy vegetables for the sallah celebrations. The stress of going to the market to buy vegetables is no longer there.
“Apart from my family, many of our neighbours have also been coming to ask us for vegetables. We have been giving them without collecting money from them.
“It is not that I cannot afford vegetables in the market. But we have been campaigning that people should go back to farm, and at least, backyard farming. If you cannot sell, you can use the farm produce to feed your family. It is a way of practising what we are preaching.
“I must confess that the taste of vegetables in my backyard farm is fresh. The taste is totally different from the taste of vegetables that we buy in th market.”
“Vegetables have been doing well in my backyard. In just three weeks, the Jute (Ewedu) was ready. The only thing that I have not started harvesting from the farm is pepper. I know that very soon, I will begin to harvest it too.”
Transformative decision for households, communities
For Temiloluwa, Adebayo, Amina and Sadare the decision to embrace backyard gardening has been a transformative one, not just for their households but for their communities as a whole.
“When my neighbours see the abundance of fresh, healthy produce I’m able to grow, they get inspired to start their own gardens,” said Temiloluwa. “it’s a ripple effect that’s spreading throughout the neighbourhood, and it’s really empowering to be a part of that.
“This garden is more than just a source of food,” she said with her eyes shining with determination. “It’s a symbol of our resilience, our ingenuity, and our commitment to a better future for all Nigerians. And that’s something worth fighting for.”
Sedare also stated: “My backyard farming is having a ripple effect in my community. My neighbours, who have witnessed what I did, have also started backyard farming. If you can produce what you eat and I produce what I eat, it will be better for all of us. But before you start backyard farming, seek opinions of an expert, especially for people who don’t have ideas of farming. I sought it and it is working for me.”
The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has repeatedly stressed the magnitude of complex issues of food insecurity and malnutrition, the task of eradicating poverty and hunger that have remained daunting, underscoring the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to tackle the problem.
As the sun sets over Ibadan almost every day, Temiloluwa tends to her thriving garden with her hands gently caressing the lush leaves of her tomato plants. The road ahead, a coronation to her, may be uncertain, but she also carries the confidence that comes from being able to provide for her family, come what may.
