Two Non-Governmental Organisations, ActionAid Nigeria and Clement Isong Foundation (CIF), Weekend, appealed for funding to support smallholder farmers in transitioning to organic farming practices and ensuring food security.
The groups acknowledged that smallholder farmers are the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector but often lack access to resources for sustainable farming methods.
Speaking during Akwa Ibom State Summit on Agroecology and Food System in Uyo, Ms Judith Gbagidi, Programme Manager at ActionAid Nigeria, said inorganic farming poses serious ecosystem threats due to high chemical use.
Represented by Blessing Ifemenam, SPAII Programme Advisor, ActionAid Nigeria, Gbagidi emphasised agroecology’s potential to address Nigeria’s agricultural challenges.
“Agroecology emphasises the sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity, and the local environment, highlighting the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment within agricultural systems.
“Agroecology can benefit our farming system by utilizing natural processes to create resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural ecosystems.”
She highlighted challenges facing widespread agroecology adoption, including limited access to resources and support.
Gbagidi said though the organisation has trained over 100 farmers in the state in organic farming, many small-scale farmers lack necessary inputs like organic fertilizers and pest control methods.
“One of the challenges is the lack of access to resources and support. Many small-scale farmers do not have access to the necessary inputs such as organic fertilizers and pest control methods.”
Clement Isong Foundation Director, Elkanah Oluyori, encouraged farmers to adopt sustainable practices for optimal land use and to boost exports.
He stressed that current harmful farm practices must be reversed to prevent soil degradation, climate change hazards, and marine ecosystem damage.
ActionAid Nigeria Consultant, Andrew Illoh, questioned the large budget for pesticides despite persistent hunger.
In his paper, “Harmful Pesticides and Indigenous Seeds,” Illoh revealed that over 65% of registered pesticides are highly hazardous.
He noted that 90% of Nigerian farmers are unaware of the chemicals used on crops and their implications.
Illoh advised regulatory agencies to outrightly ban European-banned pesticides’ importation and use in the country.
Blueprint reports that the event was organized by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Clement Isong Foundation and funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
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