Create Resilient, Sustainable Food System through Agroecology – ActionAid, CIF Urge Government, Stakeholders
By Ekemini Simon
ActionAid Nigeria together with Clement Isong Foundation, have called on the government and other relevant stakeholders in Nigeria to reposition the agricultural sector by adopting agroecology for a resilient and sustainable food system.
Agroecology is a sustainable farming that works with nature. It helps to protect, restore and improve food systems in the face of climate shocks and stressors.
Speaking during Akwa Ibom State Summit on Agroecology and Food System on Friday in Uyo, Ms Judith Gbagidi, Programme Manager at ActionAid Nigeria, said the use of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) poses serious ecological threats and disrupt the African food system.
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 appealed for support to farmers, especially small holders farmers to transition from inorganic farming to agroecological farming system.
She said smallholder farmers are the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector but often lack access to resources for sustainable farming methods.
Gbagidi said that though the organization 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.”
On his part, the Executive Director of Clement Isong Foundation, Elkanah Oluyori, encouraged farmers to adopt sustainable practices for optimal land use and to boost exports.
He said that inorganic farm practices must be immediately discouraged since it causes soil degradation, climate change hazards, and marine ecosystem damage.
ActionAid Nigeria Consultant, Andrew Illoh, questioned the large budget for the acquisition of inorganic pesticides and fertilizers without evidence of this addressing hunger problem in Nigeria.
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 pesticides from companies whose products have already been banned from other European countries.
The event was organized by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Clement Isong Foundation and funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) as part of the SPA II project’s SO3 witnessed a short documentary showcasing the impact of agroecology on the lives of women in Akwa Ibom State who were trained on the project.