Assigning of Topics to Instructors

Outline for the 20-Days Training Course on Open Field and Greenhouse Vegetable Production

Days 1-6: Vegetable Production in Open Field

Day 1, Monday – Dr Abidemi Talabi

1. Welcoming of participants and details of the training course
2. Pre-course assessment
3. Introduction to Vegetable Production:
   
   1. Overview of Vegetable Production
   2. Importance of Vegetable Farming
   3. Global Trends in Vegetable Production

Day 2, Tuesday – Prof. M.A.B Fakorede

1. Land Selection: Soil requirements, sunlight exposure, and drainage considerations
2. Crop Selection: Factors to consider when choosing vegetable crops for open-field production
3. Seed Selection: Understanding seed quality, choosing the right varieties, and sourcing seeds
4. Seeding in Nursery: Techniques for preparing and sowing seeds in a nursery
5. Nursery Management: Proper care and maintenance of seedlings in the nursery

Day 3, Wednesday – Dr Seyi Toyinbo

1. Transplanting: Best practices for transplanting seedlings from the nursery to the field
2. Irrigation and Nutrient Management: Strategies for providing water and nutrients to crops in the open field
3. Pest and Disease Control: Identifying common pests and diseases and implementing control measures
4. Weed Control: Methods for managing weeds in open-field vegetable production
5. Harvesting: Timing and techniques for harvesting vegetables to ensure optimal quality

Day 4, Thursday – Dr Seyi Toyinbo

1. Post-Harvest Handling: Proper handling techniques to maintain freshness and quality after harvest
2. Packaging and Distribution: Options for packaging vegetables and considerations for distribution channels
3. Crop Calendar: Understanding the seasonal requirements and timelines for different vegetable crops

Day 5, Friday – Dr Abidemi Talabi

1. Budgeting and Cost-Benefit Analysis: Estimating costs and potential profits associated with vegetable production
2. Q&A and Review: Open forum for questions and discussion on topics covered in the first five days

Day 6, Saturday

1. Maximizing profit in vegetable production (Guest Speaker)

Days 8-13: Vegetable Production in Controlled Environments

Day 8, Monday – Prof. M.A.B Fakorede

1. Introduction to Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): Overview of CEA and its benefits
2. Types of Controlled Environments: Exploring options such as greenhouses, hydroponics, and vertical farming
3. Environmental Control: Managing temperature, humidity, light, and CO₂ levels for optimal plant growth

Day 9, Tuesday – Dr Sam Ajayo

1. Hydroponic Systems: Overview of hydroponic growing systems and their components
2. Aquaponics: Introduction to aquaponic systems and the integration of fish and plants

Day 10, Wednesday – Dr Sam Ajayo

1. Vertical Farming: Understanding vertical farming systems and their advantages
2. Lighting Systems: Types of grow lights used in controlled environments and their effects on plant growth
3. Nutrient Solutions: Formulating and managing nutrient solutions for hydroponic and aquaponic systems
4. Pest and Disease Management in Controlled Environments: Strategies for preventing and controlling pests and diseases in CEA
5. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling in Controlled Environments: Techniques for harvesting and preserving quality in CEA

Day 11, Thursday – Dr Sam Ajayo

1. Automation and Technology in CEA: Overview of automation tools and technologies used in controlled environments
2. Monitoring and Control Systems: Implementing systems to monitor and adjust environmental conditions
3. Crop Selection for CEA: Best crops suited for controlled environment production and their requirements
4. Business Models in CEA: Exploring different business models for CEA operations

Day 12, Friday – Dr Abidemi Talabi

1. Budgeting and Cost-Benefit Analysis: Estimating costs and potential profits associated with vegetable production
2. Q&A and Review: Open forum for questions and discussion on topics covered in days 8 to 12

Day 13, Saturday

1. Book-keeping in agriculture (Guest Speaker)

Days 15-20: One Crop Focus per Day

Day 15 – Dr Richard Olayiwola: Tomato Production

1. Introduction to tomato production
2. Land preparation/Growing medium
3. Variety Selection
4. Target population/hectare
5. Spacing
6. Seeding in nursery
7. Transplanting
8. Staking and pruning
9. Water management
10. Fertilizer application
11. Weed management
12. Pest control
13. Disease control
14. Maturity
15. Harvesting
16. Market
17. Activity schedule
18. Budgeting and cost-benefit analysis

Day 16 – Dr Richard Olayiwola: Cucumber Production

1. Introduction to cucumber production
2. Land preparation/Growing medium
3. Variety Selection
4. Target population/hectare
5. Spacing
6. Seeding in nursery
7. Transplanting
8. Staking and pruning
9. Water management
10. Fertilizer application
11. Weed management
12. Pest control
13. Disease control
14. Maturity
15. Harvesting
16. Market
17. Activity schedule
18. Budgeting and cost-benefit analysis

Day 17 – Dr Abidemi Talabi: Bell Pepper Production

1. Introduction to bell pepper production
2. Land preparation/Growing medium
3. Variety Selection
4. Target population/hectare
5. Spacing
6. Seeding in nursery
7. Transplanting
8. Staking and pruning
9. Water management
10. Fertilizer application
11. Weed management
12. Pest control
13. Disease control
14. Maturity
15. Harvesting
16. Market
17. Activity schedule
18. Budgeting and cost-benefit analysis

Day 18 – Dr Richard Olayiwola: Cabbage Production

1. Introduction to cabbage production
2. Land preparation/Growing medium
3. Variety Selection
4. Target population/hectare
5. Spacing
6. Seeding in nursery
7. Transplanting
8. Staking and pruning
9. Water management
10. Fertilizer application
11. Weed management
12. Pest control
13. Disease control
14. Maturity
15. Harvesting
16. Market
17. Activity schedule
18. Budgeting and cost-benefit analysis

Day 19 – Dr Seyi Toyinbo: Watermelon Production

1. Introduction to watermelon production
2. Land preparation/Growing medium
3. Variety Selection
4. Target population/hectare
5. Spacing
6. Seeding in nursery
7. Transplanting
8. Staking and pruning
9. Water management
10. Fertilizer application
11. Weed management
12. Pest control
13. Disease control
14. Maturity
15. Harvesting
16. Market
17. Activity schedule
18. Budgeting and cost-benefit analysis

Day 20 – Dr Abidemi Talabi

1. Q&A, review, and breakout into crop groups