Stakeholders in Agriculture Called to Practice Agroecology to Protect the Environment, Check Climate Change

Participants at the One Day Stakeholders Training

Emmanuel Enebeli

Warri/Nigeria:  In continuation of the world climate change campaign, agricultural stakeholders in Nigeria had been called to help protect the environment, to stop or reduce climate change.

This called was made in a stakeholders one day training on Agroecology organised by Envirumedic/Actionaid Nigeria, Non Governmental Organisations, NGO’s in Effurun,  Uvwie Local Government Area,  Delta State, on June 24, 2019.

Stakeholders were told that in many ways agricultural activities have many consequences in the economy of the country as it stretches the budgets of individuals,  agencies,  organisations and governments as budgets that where set for other developmental programs are diverted to takecare of negative effects such as flooding.

Speaking at the training, Mr.  Azubuike Nwaokoye of Actionaid Nigeria, told the participants that most ways  agriculture to climate change in several ways like cutting down natural forests and use of strong chemicals.

He pointed out that the present agricultural practice has shown that Nigeria is one of the countries that is fast falling under as there is indication of high rate of flooding, inundation of the coastal areas,  food insecurity, reduction of arable farm lands,  reduction of long-term cropping to short term.

He pointed out that agro ecology methods are effective, as the methods have produced equal and sometimes substantially increased yields per unit area as compared to those using the conventional methods.

Speaking at the opening of the training, the Executive Director of Envirumedic, Chief Monday Itoghor, stated that the training is organised to create awareness on agroecology, build the capacity, build the capacity of stakeholders on agroecology, and to promote the principles of agroecology for adoption by stakeholders.

He pointed out that the practice of agroecology will equally contribute to total management of the environment, as its practice will also contribute to water management and land management.

He pointed out that though the training is for stakeholders, the main beneficiaries are the farmers in the rural areas of the country.

Reacting to the training, participants called for investments in agroecology fertilisers through the production, the bye-in of the political class to allow for investment in that area.

They called for a more sensitised programme that will increase the awareness of the government and practicing farmers on the need for agroecology.

Participants at the training were from State Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Development, State Ecology Department, Farmers association group.