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
PULA, Leadway Assurance Disburse ₦396 Million to Climate-Affected Farmers, Strengthen Food Security Efforts
In a major intervention to shield smallholder farmers from climate shocks, agri-insurtech firm PULA has spearheaded the disbursement of ₦396,697,672 in insurance claims to over 40,000 farmers impacted during the 2025 wet season.
The payout, executed in partnership with Leadway Assurance and supported by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), covered farmers across Taraba, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau States who suffered climate-related losses.
The initiative was made possible in part by Bayer Foundation, whose $450,000 premium subsidy support in 2025 wet season helped lower the cost of insurance for thousands of vulnerable smallholders in 8 states, with 4 states receiving payouts. The Foundation is set to scale up its contribution to match the growing aspirations of state governments.
Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja during the 2025 Wet Season Insurance Claims Payout under the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM), PULA’s Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Enahoro, said the initiative goes beyond compensation, insisting that it’s about securing Nigeria’s food systems.
“Our focus is not just on payouts but on increasing food production. We must continue to support farmers who work tirelessly under harsh conditions to feed the nation,” Dr. Enahoro said. He called for stronger policies that directly impact farmers and reaffirmed PULA’s commitment to expanding agricultural insurance as a tool for resilience.
PULA’s data-driven approach to climate risk was key to identifying affected farmers and triggering payments. The company worked with Leadway Assurance to underwrite the risk, while PFSCU aligned the program with the national food security agenda. State governments also supported grassroots enrollment.
Gboyega Lesi, MD/CEO of Leadway Assurance, described the payout as “a reinforcement of a safety net that protects the hard work of thousands of farmers,” adding that “through climate insurance, we ensure that a bad season does not translate into total loss of livelihood.” He commended PULA’s technology and field structure for making rapid, transparent payouts possible.
Ayoola Fatona, Global Head of Agric Solutions at Leadway Assurance, noted that the 2025 wet season brought significant climate variability and yield fluctuations. “The true value of insurance lies in claims payment, especially in challenging periods. Our data-driven partnership with PULA helped mitigate losses,” he said.
Looking ahead, PULA and Leadway Assurance plan to scale coverage to 73,000 farmers in the 2026 farming season, deepening penetration of climate insurance across Nigeria’s food-producing belts.
Commissioners from the beneficiary states commended PULA and Leadway Assurance for de-risking agriculture, restoring farmers’ confidence, and building a more resilient agricultural sector
State-by-state breakdown of claims facilitated by PULA:
- Taraba State: ₦154,308,035
- Borno State: ₦127,192,472
- Kaduna State: ₦69,726,150
- Plateau State: ₦45,471,015
Total: ₦396.7 million.
-
Featured7 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured6 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured7 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports4 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News1 year agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured7 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
