By CALLISTUS OFFOR, Abuja –
The Continental Coordinator, Network of Organic Agricultural Researchers in Africa, AdeOluwa Olugbenga has urged Nigerian farmers to adopt organic farming and safe environmental practices to improve the quality of food production and promote food security in the country.
Mr. Olugbenga made the call on Thursday while speaking at a practical Agroecology training session for farmers and CSOs, which was organized by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in Abuja.
He stressed the need for farmers to adopt innovative and organic farming practices since it can add more quality value to farm produce than the ones produced through the use of inorganic chemicals.
This according to him would improve the the health of food consumers in the country.
“For many farmers, it’s what they can make out of what they raised now, that they are interested in. They use all manners of unwholesome methods – injecting our crops with hormones so that they can grow big and that causes a lot of hormonal dysfunction, organ failure etc. This produces are not good for our body system and when will consume such, we are indirectly reducing the population”.
“So farmers should desist from all such of unwholesome practices. There are other best safe practices that they can embrace. They may be slow in reality but it’s better will do what our conscience will clear us of “, he said.
He further called on the government to ensure that agricultural lands and forest reserves are protected to encourage Aaroecology which can help in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Earlier, the Communication Officer of HOMEF, Ms. Kome Odhomor, said the training was organized to sensitize farmers and CSOs on how to improve the quality of their environment and the food they produce.
“HOMEF has always stood for the quality of the environment and our food. This position was informed by the nature of food we see in our environment today. We all know about the government’s plans in trying to cage our foods by trying to distribute high improved seeds to farmers”.
“We hear them say, we don’t have enough food to feed Nigerians and that’s why they are distributing such seeds and forgetting to note that such seeds are responsible for the destruction of our soil because of its chemical nature”, she said.
Ms. Odhomor, who lamented over the high rate of sicknesses in the country, blamed it to the high intake of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) foods which were produce through inorganic processes.
“We all know about GMOs. These are the things that HOMEF has constantly talked about and we are not in support of GMOs in our country. That’s why we decide to organize Agroecology programme”.
” We’re of the opinion the agroecology can definitely feed Nigeria. And we’re here today to train farmers and CSOs on how they can use organic fertilizers in preserving our environment, nurture the soil and still produce good food which will be good for everyone”. She said.
She, however, affirmed that the application of organic farming can still boost farmers’ yields, profitability, preserve farm produces and agricultural lands.
Meanwhile, a cross section of farmers and members of CSO, expressed their gratitude to HOMEF for organizing the training session, which have exposed them to some of the unwholesome practices in the use inorganic farming.
The participants, however, pledged to adapt and apply the knowledge derived from the agroecology training in their farming fields.
Highlights of the training were the practical sessions on how to prepare organic fertilizer through Neem leaves/seed fertilizer, organic pesticide through Neem leaves oil, as well as garlic, onion and chilli pepper pesticide among others.
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