Hello dear esteem steemians @ninapenda has put on a contest for me to cross path once again with you guys and it is on no other thing than what I love to do and have passion for. Farming is a great deal for me. Out of my wealth of experience, I will be so detail in explaining my entry points.
Of course we all know, farming to be an ongoing endeavor for every nation, evident in all aspects of our lives. It's clear that agriculture is indispensable in today's world, as it ensures better food security for every nations of mother earth.

To me, agriculture is more than just planting and harvesting and to add to it, agriculture is the backbone of every community both rural or urban and in a country like Nigeria where food availability and prices affect every home, engaging in farming is not just a source of income but a contribution to national development. Below are my detailed responses to the questions raised in this contest:

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The first step I take to get started in farming is planning and site selection. Before anything is planted, a farmer must make careful decisions about what to plant, where to plant it, and when to plant it. This may seem less necessary to some persons, but it's the foundation for a successful or bountiful harvest.

Planning:
This includes deciding the type of crop(cassava) to grow based on the season, soil type and available resources. For instance, during the rainy season in Akwa Ibom, most local farmers plant cassava, maize or okra because these crops do well with natural rainfall.

Site selection:

Choosing land with good soil is crucial. For example, sandy loam soil is excellent for root crops like yam and cassava and should you mistakenly select water-logged land for maize, it can lead to stunted growth or total crop failure.

Soil testing and analysis:

• Though often overlooked by small-scale farmers, this step helps determine the soil's nutrient content and pH level. A simple soil test can be done at local agricultural offices or universities to help guide decisions on fertilizer application.*

Suppose you can handle this first step correctly it then means you will have a higher chance of success because a poorly chosen site or crop leads to waste of time, money and energy.

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This is the dopest question I will have to answer in series of this contest questions. Actually, clearing land for farming involves removing bushes, trees, stones and debris and depending on region, what one will have to clear out will always be different from what another will have to clear out in order to prepare the farmland for planting.

The required items or equipment depend on the size of the land and available resources. These tools include:

Cutlass (Machete):

• This is the most basic tool used for cutting down grasses, shrubs and small trees. It’s common among small-scale farmers and affordable for most Nigerians especially those in the rural environment.

Hoe:
Used for removing weeds, digging up roots and tilling the topsoil during land clearing. It is especially useful for small farms.

Axe:
Needed when chopping down is out of range for matchet and the land has trees or thick stems that need chopping down. It's also useful for splitting wood if trees are to be used for firewood.

Spade or Shovel:
Literally used to dig the soil or remove stumps and stones during land clearing. It also help scoop away excess soil or debris.

Wheelbarrow:
Helps to ease packing and carrying cleared debris like tree branches and weeds to a dumping area and it is effective in reducing manual labor.

Power tools:

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*The fun in farming lies in power tools and such are required for larger farms and machines like tractors, brush cutters and bulldozers are used. A tractor with a plough attachment can clear and till a hectare of land faster and more efficiently than manual tools.
Tractor:
The tractor is a powerful farming vehicle used for pulling and operating other farm equipment which With right attachments, a tractor can plough, till or harrow the land efficiently. For land clearing, it may be equipped with a plough to turn over the soil or a harrow to break it down after initial clearing. Tractors are ideal for medium to large-scale farming and can prepare several hectares in a single day.

Brush Cutter:
A brush cutter is a motor-powered machine used to cut through thick grass, weeds and small bushes and It works faster than a cutlass and the wonderful thing is it can be carried like a backpack or operated on wheels. It is suitable for areas overgrown with tall weeds and is commonly used before ploughing.

Bulldozer:
*This is a heavy-duty machine with a wide blade in front used to clear large trees, rocks and debris and this too are used in large-scale commercial farming or when preparing virgin land (uncultivated land). They can level the ground and remove heavy obstacles that manual labor can't handle.

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I have two uncles who are into farming. One operate large farmland mass while the other is into a small scale farmland mass. I once witnessed something strange. One of them cleared a one-acre land using only a machete, hoe and wheelbarrow over two weeks, while the other who is into commercial farming used a tractor and finished in a day. The difference was speed but both methods got the job done depending on scale and budget.

My answer will remain strongly No, as farm work is not an easy job to indulge in but it is rewarding with the right mindset and tools.

1 Farming requires physical effort, patience and consistency ranging from waking up early to weed the farm, battling pests and diseases, waiting months for harvest and dealing with unpredictable weather. Generally, every step comes with its challenges and diligence and passion is required to keep pushing.

2 However, farm work becomes easier when mechanization is introduced just like the example I make up there involving my two uncles. Example using a sprayer instead of manually applying pesticides saves time and effort. Also, farming cooperatives or youth groups can share tasks and reduce stress.

3 In rural Nigeria, especially in my community. Some young people shy away from farming because of the stress, yet those who stick with it like my uncle Mrs. Anietie has been able to send his children to school with proceeds from their cassava and plantain farms.

In summary, farming is not easy, but it is a noble and fulfilling venture when approached with planning and passion.

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The society down here really kick against the use of fertilizer pointing out to certain health effects but I always tell them, that adding fertilizers to crops helps them stay healthy and the agree I always complete my statement by saying "but only when done correctly." Fertilizers provide essential nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) that help plants grow stronger and yield more.

There are two major types of fertilizers:

1 Organic fertilizers like animal dung or compost which are natural and enrich the soil over time.

2 Inorganic fertilizers like NPK 15-15-15 or urea which supply nutrients quickly and in specific proportions.
To go further, misuse of fertilizers can harm crops productivity.

For example:

1 Applying too much urea can burn the leaves of maize which many farmers will not know due to awareness on the use and harmful effects of this items.

2 Spreading fertilizer too close to young plants can lead to root damage and this too is another important factor farmers need to be educated about.

3 Using fertilizer without watering the plant afterward can make it ineffective or toxic and this too is basic for any farmer to know.

A practical example: There is a farmer I know who lived in a distance state who added poultry droppings (organic fertilizer) to his garden beds a month before planting tomatoes recorded better fruit size and healthier plants compared to when he used no fertilizer the year before.

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None fertilize farmland and Fertilize farmland

Therefore, fertilizers are beneficial when used with the right dosage, timing and method of application.

Farming is not just planting seeds in the soil and wait to harvest. It involves smart decisions, hard work and knowledge from selecting the right land to applying fertilizers, every step matters. Whether small-scale or commercial, understanding the basics of agriculture helps in achieving better food security and personal income.

I invite on @nsijoro @ruthjoe @ngoenyi to participate in the contest.

Thanks for reading