Agriculture
Organic Agriculture combines best traditional practices for modern sustainable farming methods – Don
Dr Jude Obi, Lecturer, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, University of Uyo says Organic Agriculture combines best traditional practices with modern, sustainable farming methods for the health of all.
Obi said this during his online presentation on `Organic Agriculture to the Rescue’ organised by the Journalists Go Organic Initiative.
He said that any agriculture practice that is not rooted, grows and develops on the principles of health, ecology, fairness, and care should be jettisoned.
“These principles express the contributions and the vision that organic agriculture presents to humanity for achieving safe and egalitarian global society.
“It sustains and enhances the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible, relies on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.
“Builds on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities, manages in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.
“Any activity, process, practice etc. that does not conform, uphold and fully abide with these principles is clearly not good for the environment and its inhabitants,’’ he stressed.
Obi who is also the Coordinator for the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture (KCOA) in Africa also highlighted the potentials of ecological agriculture.
“Ecological agriculture generates both economic value and sustainable development which should be seriously promoted to enable Africa exploit this niche.
“The continent should adopt organic agriculture practice due to the fragile environment that pervades it, for instance, the best soils are alluvial deposits found in the major river valleys.
“Most of the soils are difficult to cultivate, although soils in the humid tropics can be quite rich due to the forest cover and the rapid decomposition of organic matter.
“However, intense rainfall leads to the leaching of most of the plant nutrients resulting in the formation latosols/ferrosols, luvisols with some undesirable characteristics’’.
According to Obi, towards the deserts, the soils are sandy and deep but low in humus and quite infertile (arenosols) which give way to xerosols that are quite low in humus.
“Confronting these fragile environments is the episode of land degradation ‘worsening’.
“The summary is that these soils are inherently not resilient and management using synthetic resources and heavy equipment is not sustainable in the long run. It has caught up with us earlier than anticipated.
“These explained the failure of all large farms established in Nigeria and will continue to hunt those that will decide not to listen that organic agriculture is the answer’’.
He said that both researches and practical results have shown that in as much as the conventional system continually increases inputs from soil amendments to herbicides, pesticides, insecticides etc. and finally genetical modifications: organic practices increase benefits, profitability and the entire under presented benefits with time.
Enumerating the benefits of organic agriculture, Obi said it has positive effects on the soil by improving soil condition, lower soil pollution, erosion and flooding, ground water purification, energy efficient, greater flavor and nutrition, helps pollinators and sustains biodiversity.
“Organically grown food and agricultural produce have better nutrition, helps us stay healthy, free of poison, organic foods enhance taste and longer shelf–life.
“Has antioxidant content, improves heart condition, antibiotic resistance, pesticide cutback, stronger immune system, products are poison-free, Lower levels of toxic metals etc’’.
Obi concluded that with the crisis that has confronted humanity from strange diseases, to unfriendly environment, natural disaster, communal clashed, war etc. It became obvious that the starting point is environmentally friendly options and the organic agriculture has taken the lead.
Agriculture
Group Trains 600 Bauchi Women In Modern Farm Skills
By Rakyat Liadi
The Nisa’u Sunnah, a faith-based group, has trained 600 women in modern farming skills in Bauchi State.
Hajiya Rakiya Dabo, the Group Lead, said this at the end of a 3-day training exercise for sustainable agric development on Tuesday in Bauchi.
According to her, the exercise is being conducted in collaboration between the group and Jama’atul Izalatul Bidi’a Waikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS).
She said the training exercise was designed to equip women with the skills to improve farming activities and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
“Women play a vital role in the development of our communities, and it is essential that we provide them with the necessary tools and support to succeed,” she said.
In a presentation, Dr Ibrahim Disina, said Muslim women were the backbone of the society, adding that their contributions to the economy and social development cannot be overstated.
He advised the participants to utilise the skills learnt to improve their talents and economic growth for the benefit of the society.
Prof. Zubairu Madaki, Chairman of the JIBWIS in the state, lauded the gesture, and enjoined the beneficiaries to respect their husbands in line with Islamic perspectives.
“As women, you have a critical role to play in maintaining harmony in the home and promoting peaceful co-existence in the community,” he said.
He also encouraged them to utilise the ideas shared during the training for a better future.
“The knowledge and skills you have acquired are not only for your personal benefit but also for the benefit of your families and communities,” he said.
Aisha Mohammed, one of the participants, lauded the gesture and promised to step down the skills in her community.
“I am grateful for this opportunity, and I’m committed to sharing my newfound skills with other women in my community.”
The participants were drawn from 20 local government areas of the state.
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