Why farmers should embrace organic fertiliser

Mr 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). According […]

Mr 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).

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.

‘‘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.