ActionAid Nigeria holds Regional Media Engagement on Agro-ecology
A regional media engagement on Agro-ecology and climate justice, for journalists from 15 countries was organised last Tuesday by ActionAid Nigeria through the Strategic Partnerships for Agro-ecology and Climate Justice in West Africa (SPAC-West Africa) project.
It aimed at enhancing the knowledge of climate change and agriculture reporters on agro-ecology and climate justice and to foster meaningful conversations on in-depth reportage and promotion of agro-ecology and climate justice in West Africa.
Funded by ActionAid International, the session offered a forum to discuss the use of hazardous chemicals in agriculture and its effects on consumer health, among others.
In a presentation, a representative of Be The Help Foundation (BHF), Mr Samuel Robert Kwasari underscored the relevance of promoting Regenerative Agriculture (RA) as it contributes immensely to both food and environmental sustainability.
He mentioned that RA encourages healthier ecosystems through biodiversity “for instance pollinators and beneficial micro and macro, fruits and vegetables which are essential components of good nutrition grow very well in healthy and balanced ecosystems.”
Touching on BHF’s Agroforestry projects, he noted that the project is aimed at proving that the RA system of agriculture was possible in Nigeria and get farmers to embrace it, adding that RA centers on maintaining healthy soil through practices that build and maintain the soil.
On his part, Programmes Coordinator of the Heinrich Boell Foundation Nigeria, Mr Donald Ikenna expressed worry about the dangers of hazardous weedicides and pesticides used in farming.
According to him pesticide imports into Africa over the last five years had increased significantly.
“In West Afrcia alone pesticide imports have doubled in the last five years from 218,948 tonnes in 2015 to 437,930 tonnes in 2020.”
“Nigeria’s import alone is 147,446 tonnes which exceeded total imports of Southern Africa (87,403 tonnes) and North Africa (109, 561 tonnes),” he added.
Despite the ever increasing pesticide use, the prevalence of food insecurity and malnourishment, he said was not improving.
He stated that between 2019 and 2021, approximately 20 per cent of the people on the continent were undernourished
He therefore called for strong policies to be put in place to salvage the situation.
Mr. Ikenne also emphasised that relying too heavily on pesticides was not the optimal choice for effective farm management, especially when numerous studies have demonstrated the adverse impact of pesticide usage on the health of both farmers and consumers.
ActionAid Nigeria reiterated calls on journalists in Africa to boost coverage on topics such as food safety, climate justice, and sustainable agriculture.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU