The excessive use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides by farmers in Nigeria has raised significant concerns, leading to restrictions on Nigerian agricultural exports by some Western nations, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Jos, Prof. Patrick Kwaghe, has said.
Kwaghe stated this during the launch of an organic fruit and vegetable market in Jos.
Prof. Kwaghe emphasized that the heavy reliance on chemicals in farming practices has resulted in Nigerian agricultural produce failing to meet international standards.
As a result, when these products were tested in Western countries, they were found to contain harmful levels of chemicals.
This prompted several nations to impose bans on Nigerian exports, impacting the country’s agricultural sector.
The launch event was centered around the introduction of Gidan Gona Hub (Jos Organic Farmers Market), an initiative aimed at promoting organic farming practices.
The market will feature products such as vegetables, fruits, and fish that are cultivated without the use of artificial chemicals, fertilizers, or preservatives.
This organic approach is seen as a solution to counter the negative effects of conventional farming methods and restore confidence in Nigerian agricultural exports.
Prof. Kwaghe expressed his support for any initiative that encourages organic farming methods, noting that these approaches are a welcome alternative to the widespread use of chemicals.
In addition to this, Peggy Maimaji, acting economics manager at Oxfam, discussed the importance of urban farming as part of building resilience in cities like Jos.
She highlighted the potential of the Urban Food Hive Project (UFH) to transform urban agriculture by promoting sustainable livelihoods.
The project empowers farmers through agroecology and organic farming practices, which include simple but effective methods like composting organic waste.
Maimaji stressed that the use of circular economy principles in agriculture is vital for creating more sustainable and environmentally friendly food systems.
By recycling organic waste into compost, urban farmers can reduce their reliance on external chemical inputs, ensuring a more self-sufficient and sustainable agricultural sector.
