As Nigeria intensifies efforts to boost agricultural productivity and food security, Sandra Victor-Gwafan, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of agricultural development firm, DeBranch, has underscored the need to shift from synthetic to organic fertilizers, warning that continued reliance on chemical inputs poses serious threats to both soil health and the climate.
Speaking in a chat with journalists, Victor-Gwafan emphasized that synthetic fertilizers, commonly used by farmers across the country, have done more harm than good over time, as they have contributed to soil degradation through accelerating the impacts of climate change.
According to her, the long-term use of synthetic fertilizers depletes the natural composition of soil, undermining its fertility and reducing its capacity to support sustainable food production.
“Many farmers do not realize that the chemicals they apply to increase yield in the short term are gradually stripping the land of its vitality,” she explained.
Victor-Gwafan pointed out that organic fertilizers present a safer and more sustainable alternative that not only revitalizes the soil but also enhances the nutritional quality and shelf life of crops.
She identified compost manure, animal dung, rice bran, moringa leaves, and other naturally sourced materials as effective organic options that farmers can adopt without incurring high costs.
“These inputs that are affordable and already available in our environment. Unfortunately, the knowledge gap remains a barrier, which is why we are taking deliberate steps to educate rural farmers,” she added.
DeBranch, under her leadership, has been engaging with farming communities across Nigeria, offering sensitization programs focused on environmentally-friendly farming practices. These efforts are part of the firm’s commitment to food security, climate resilience, and rural empowerment, particularly in rural areas.
“Our mission is rooted in sustainable agriculture and inclusive growth. We understand that real change begins with empowering the most smallholder farmers, women, and the youth with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed,” she noted.
She further emphasized that addressing the country’s food security challenge will require deliberate policy support, especially in the area of youth engagement.
She commended the growing interest among young Nigerians in agriculture but stressed the need for the government to create a more enabling environment.
Victor-Gwafan further pointed to insecurity as a major threat to farming in many parts of the country.
She warned that until that is addressed, along with the provision of incentives and access to resources, it will be difficult to get things done in the agricultural sector.
In addition to pushing for wider adoption of organic inputs, Victor-Gwafan also recommended the establishment of ranches as a strategic approach to resolving farmer-herder conflicts that have plagued agricultural communities.
She argued that well-structured ranching systems would not only improve livestock management but also foster peaceful co-existence and increase productivity.
Victor-Gwafan, through DeBranch’s collaboration with regional and international partners like ECOWAS and GIZ, has been involved in initiatives to strengthen Nigeria’s rice value chain. This work included equipping farmers with modern techniques and sustainable practices aimed at improving output.
In 2025, she also represented West Africa as the only youth delegate at the Kampala Declaration Head of State Summit, where she contributed to policy discussions concerning agricultural transformation and climate adaptation strategies for the continent.
