FARMERS, AGRIC STAKEHOLDERS URGED TO EMBRACE AGRO ECOLOGY
OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector have been called upon to embrace agro ecology to help protect the environment against climate change.
The call was made at a one-day training on Agroecology co-organised by Envirumedic and Actionaid Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs’) on Monday in Effurun near Warri.
In his welcome address, Mr. Monday Itoghor, Executive Director, Envirumedic disclosed that the training was organised to create awareness on the importance agro ecology in the country and the need to embrace it.
Mr. Itoghor added that the training was also targeted at building the capacity of the stakeholders on agro ecology as well as promote its principles for adoption by the people.
According to Mr. Itoghor, “the practice of agro ecology will contribute to better management of the environment including water and land management. This training is for stakeholders but the main beneficiaries are the farmers in the rural areas.”
He urged the participants to take advantage of the one-day programme to have a better understanding of agro ecology and by implication a better environment.
In his remarks, Mr Azubuike Nwaokoye who spoke on behalf of the Actionaid Nigeria said deforestation was one of the major causes of climate change.
According to Mr. Nwaokoye, “the present agricultural practice has shown that Nigeria is fast indulging in the felling of trees and using of chemicals which has resulted to high rate of flooding. Inundation of the coastal areas, food insecurity, reduction of arable farmlands among others.”
Mr. Nwaokoye said that agro ecology methods was effective noting that it has proven to be better than the conventional methods of farming through increased yields per unit area.
Participants expressed appreciation to the organisers, they called on government at all levels to intensify awareness on the need to embrace agroecology to save the environment.
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