Program Manager of the Sustainable Nigeria program at Heinrich Böll Foundation, Donald Ikenna Ofoegbu, has cautioned that the excessive use of chemical pesticides is contributing to environmental harm and worsening food insecurity.
Ofoegbu highlighted the deteriorating state of the nation’s agricultural land, which is further stressed by climate change impacts such as flooding, erosion, desertification, and drought.
He also pointed to the consequences of deforestation, illegal mining, and violent conflicts in farming communities. These challenges, combined with over-reliance on harmful chemicals, are undermining Nigeria’s agricultural potential.
According to a report titled “Pesticides in Nigeria & the Prospects of Agroecology in 2050”, an overwhelming 90 percent of Nigerian farmers use chemical pesticides, with over half of them relying on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs).
Ofoegbu noted that more than 45 percent of these HHPs are banned in Europe due to their toxicity, both to human health and the environment.
The long-term use of these chemicals has had damaging effects, including loss of biodiversity, the decline of local plant and animal species, and a rise in chronic health issues among the population. Additionally, Ofoegbu mentioned that over 76 percent of Nigeria’s food exports are rejected in European markets due to pesticide contamination.
Despite the rising imports of agrochemicals and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) – with Nigeria importing 147,446 tonnes of pesticides in 2020, a figure higher than the combined total for Southern and North Africa, the country continues to face severe food insecurity and malnutrition.
In response to these challenges, Ofoegbu advocated for the adoption of agroecology, a farming approach that balances food production with environmental conservation.
Agroecology aims to restore biodiversity, improve food security, and promote long-term sustainability in agriculture. By 2050, it could help increase climate resilience through tree planting, boost food safety and sovereignty, and offer opportunities for organic food exports. It could also foster rural development and generate wealth for smallholder farmers.
However, the transition to agroecology faces several obstacles. Ofoegbu pointed out the lack of awareness and knowledge about agroecology and organic farming, alongside limited access to resources such as land, water, and finance. There are also challenges related to market access, weak policies supporting agroecology, and cultural factors that hinder land access.
To overcome these hurdles, Ofoegbu called for a comprehensive approach that includes the development of policies focused on agroecology, the provision of incentives, and ensuring secure land rights for farmers.
He also emphasized the importance of training and educating farmers, extension workers, and policymakers in agroecological practices. Establishing demonstration farms and farmer field schools would also help promote knowledge-sharing and peer learning among farmers.
