HOW THE IDEA RESEARCH ON ORRGANIC BODY LOTION STARTED

WOULD YOU WANT YOUR SKIN HEALTHIER, MORE BEAUTIFUL IN NATURALLY SAFE WAY? ...Edible Items As Body Lotion During the training on Making Research Work by the International Centre for Research-Oriented Development in Agriculture (iCRA) held April to June, this year, I presented one of my researches, an Organic Lotion or Natural Lotion made from edible items most of which are usually discarded. I and some of my family members already use this Organic Lotion. Since the essence of a research is for the people by the people, I am going to be circulating the information so you can understand the essence of using these natural items devoid of chemicals to beautify and also make the human skin healthier and to serve you longer. Your suggestions are welcomed. If you are interested in the commercialisation of this research, that's also welcomed. This Organic Lotion Clears skin of blemishes –eczema, pimples, scars   Heals wounds fast ie. from accidents and other mishaps Heals surgical cuts faster Relieves burns and hot water scalding on skin Relieves aches on parts of the body applied Good as Massage oil   Makes the skin firmer Anti-aging since it is organic because chemical-based lotions/creams make wrinkles appear earlier on the face Let's start discussing here or on phone: +2348092236484 #organicbodylotion #edibleitemsasbodylotion #naturalbodylotion #research #agromaterialsaslotion #organicbodylotion #edibleitemsasbodylotion #naturalbodylotion #research #agromaterialsaslotion

OLUYINKA ALAWODE, WRITER/AGRIBUSINESS INFORMATION BROKER

Be assured when I do any professional work, I put in my best for you

NEXT STEPS IN MY AGRO-BASED RESEARCH PROCESSES – Oluyinka Alawode, Founder, Farm Cafe

After completing the three month-course at iCRA, I am now set to take steps to upscale my researches My researches include using organic edible items such as eggshells, spices, herbs like neem leaves, natural oils, seeds of fruits, coconut shells etc (many of these items are usually discarded) to provide agro-based health and beauty solutions Current Research The main purpose of my current research is To bring about change in a participatory way – that is involving people such as users, beauticians, skin care experts, other health practitioners including surgeons if possible in the decision-making that will solve major skin health and beauty problems Who am I trying to change? People generally who use body lotions, creams or pomade made with the inclusion of some chemical elements which often (though many don’t realise it) cause allergies such as itchiness which may also result in rashes and other breakouts like acnes or pimples on the face and some other parts of the body. In the long-term such chemical-based creams or lotions especially if used very regularly can cause skin cancer. Averting health risks The traces of the chemical elements can also seep into the internal body organ and thereby the bloodstream - weakening the internal natural body immunity and with long-term possibility of causing some ailments (like kidney problems, appendicitis). Also, when such people have wounds or need to undergo surgical operations, due to the chemical-based creams and lotions they have been using, the skin cuts usually take too long to heal, if at all, resulting in complications that could have been prevented. So, my research - Organic Body Lotion made from edible items will help in preventing these skin problems in addition to beautifying the skin – keeping each person’s skin in the natural state for good health/well-being. What inspired me? I have experienced and also know people who have itchiness due to eczema. Some use antibiotics in treating it. But I suppose due to my background in agriculture and subsequently agricultural journalism and then agricultural information services through Farm Cafe, I knew there had to be a natural solution to the problem. Though the eczema is believed to be hereditary - I realised the itchiness can be reduced, even eliminated by taking some actions. I have also had very serious breakouts of pimples on my face at a time due to chemical-based creams. So I decided not to use any chemical-based creams or lotions or balms. I started researching – acquiring knowledge initially on the kind of food and drinks to take to minimise the itchiness and remove the rashes on my skin. The light-bulb switching on moment came when I realised that I could directly apply those things I am supposed to eat to reduce the allergy directly on my skin outwardly. I did and saw the positive effects. Subsequently my practical researches revealed that it would be better to produce those items into a skin balm. Why beautify? Then I realised that many people often forget to continue applying the skin balm once the rashes and itchiness are gone and they may recur later. Subsequent researches also revealed the effects of chemical-based lotions and creams on many people’s skins which heighten the problems of eczema and other skin ailments. So I decided that an organic body lotion that can be applied regularly to the skin would be more ideal. I shared this with family members, some asked me to make the lotion for them, they applied and saw some positive results. When I discover something new, I usually share the knowledge with my family members and they have been very supportive of my initiatives. So I continued working at improving and coming up with better mixture and processes. I also discovered the lotion would not only keep the skin healthy, but beautiful looking eventually. But I still needed more knowledge Course at iCRA So I applied for the course at International Centre for Research-Oriented Development in Agriculture (iCRA) making Research Work. I got sponsorship to attend the online course. I was not so sure initially if an online course would give men the much needed knowledge to upscale my current and other researches. But my expectations were surpassed. I learnt so very much from the highly-skilled trainers. Upscaling my researches The next steps would be applying the knowledge I gained from the course into scaling up this research on widespread use of Organic Body Lotion. Meanwhile I am into other researches such as using eggshell powder mixed with some other edible items for oral health – fresh breath, white teeth, strong teeth and gums. #agrobasedresearch #agroresearches #agrobasedheath #agrobasedbeauty #agrobasedhealthandbeauty #agrobasedhealthandbeautysolutions #FarmCafe #naturalhealth #naturalbeauty #agricforbeauty #agricforhealth #edibleitemsforbeauty

OUR INDIGENOUS TOMATOES RIPENING WHILE THE REGULAR ONES IN THE MARKET SCARCE/EXPENSIVE

For those interested, the seeds of these indigenous rich-tasting, reddish, nutrious tomatoes are available so you can also plant. Interestingly, during the rainy season when the regular tomatoes are expensive in the market because they are scarce- its the offseason every June, but these indigenous tomatoes when matured at this period and have some hours of sunlight, ripen and ready for consumption. I and my research assistant gladly making the seeds available.

OLUYINKA ALAWODE, FOUNDER, FARM CAFÉ

I studied general agriculture at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and later focused on Agricultural Extension. After graduation, I went to School of Journalism. While working as an agricultural journalist with BusinessDay, Nigeria’s foremost business newspaper, interviewing farmers, agro-processors, visiting farms, attending conferences within and outside Nigeria, I discovered there was an information gap in the agribusiness industry. I have attended different trainings mostly on writing and reporting skills – science writing, script writing, business writing and so on as well as digital marketing skills, graphic designs etc in the bid to strengthen my communication skills. I have also worked as a freelancer with WRENMedia, UK reporting and writing mainly for Spore Magazine published by Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) headquartered in the Netherlands and discovered there were still lots of untapped potentials in agriculture. Having realised that Information and Communication Technology is vital to the development of the agribusiness industry, I started Farm Café – an agribusiness information service in 2016 mainly driven by ICT. Farm Café has evolved more as a social enterprise providing information, digital marketing and B2B connections for stakeholders in the industry. To further build capacity in that regard as an Agribusiness Information Broker, I attended the course by International Centre for Research -Oriented Development in Agriculture (iCRA) in 2018 on skills for inclusive business brokerage to make agribusiness work. I keep exploring different ways of using ICT media to support existing and aspiring operators in agribusiness and to circulate information. Through my agricultural information services I started discovering that many agricultural produce, some of which are wasted and some of which are not so well- used can provide many solutions to health and beauty challenges that people experience. This information is not really new but apparently has not been well-circulated in the past and therefore not well explored. So through Farm Café I have started also disseminating information on using agricultural produce for natural health and beauty solutions. I have also gone into actually doing researches on usage of agricultural raw materials for health and beauty solutions…

FARM CAFE IS FIVE (5) YEARS IN OPERATION...to God be the glory...

To God be the glory... FARM CAFE IS FIVE (5) YEARS IN OPERATION The challenges have been huge but the mandate to prosper agribusinesses through ICT remains. Also, as a result of health challenges that people experience which could easily have been averted if they knew the full benefits of agricultural produce - simple foods, as well as the need to avert some damaging beauty treatment that people undergo as beauty could still be achieved with simple herbs, spices, fruits and natural oils, we are now including natural health and beauty information. Started February 29th, Year 2016, Farm Cafe: Agribusiness Information Services is 5 years in operation and now also informing on agro-based Natural Health & Beauty. I give God the glory, I appreciate my family for the kind support, friends and associates and all the international organisations that have graciously given me training and exposure on agriculture, writing, business, ICT and so on. Oluyinka Alawode