EKEOMA Abara, an official of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has advised Nigerian farmers to embrace the use of organic fertiliser.

Abara, the Principal Agriculture Officer on Organic Fertiliser Development in the ministry, gave the advice in Gombe on Tuesday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The advice was sequel to the Nationwide Programme on Promotion of Organic Fertiliser Use in Nigeria organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to sensitise farmers on the use of organic fertiliser.

NAN reports that the programme, which was held in Gombe State on Feb. 6, had over 200 farmers in attendance and linked to organic fertiliser companies.

According to him, it has become necessary for farmers to embrace the use of organic fertiliser in view of its worldwide acceptance for farming.

He said that the unbridled application of chemical fertilisers was affecting soil fertility and productivity, adding that farmers must cultivate the use of organic fertilisers to boost their yields.

‘‘The Federal Government has engaged farmers in some states on the need to use organic fertilisers and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers. I encourage farmers to embrace the culture of using organic fertilisers.

‘‘This is in line with the agricultural policies of the government to boost productivity and acceptability of farm produce for export as a tool for economic diversification.

‘‘The use of chemical fertilisers has its effects on the health of both humans and the soil. When you use chemical fertilisers, the produce will contain chemical residual that may not be good for health.

‘‘Most European countries are looking for organic produce which are more expensive and healthier. When farmers invest in these, it makes their produce more acceptable for export,’’ he said.

Abara said that government was engaging farmers in the country to improve their living standards by improving the quality of their produce.

He expressed concern that most farmers in Nigeria still preferred the use of chemical fertilisers to grow their crops as against the use of organic fertilisers that were more beneficial to both farmers and the environment.

Abara advised farmers to always approach organic fertiliser companies that had been introduced to them by the Federal Government for assistance whenever they encountered any problem in the use of such fertiliser. (NAN)

– Feb. 12, 2019 @ 12:19 GMT |