By Our Correspondent
Nigerian farmers have been urged to embrace organic fertilisers derived from moringa to enhance agricultural productivity, improve soil fertility, and boost foreign exchange earnings.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Eden e-Moringa Productions and Marketers Limited, Dr. Ashimashiga Akoloaga, made this call during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Middle Belt Youth Development Organization (MBYDEVO) in Nyanya, Abuja.
Dr. Akoloaga, a native of Nasarawa State, emphasized the need for farmers' cooperatives and agricultural groups to collaborate with Eden Moringa in distributing e-Moringa fertiliser and other related products across Nigeria and beyond.
Describing moringa as a "miracle plant," he highlighted its potential to restore soil fertility and address various health challenges. According to him, the extensive use of chemical fertilisers has negatively impacted soil quality, making it imperative for Nigeria to transition to organic alternatives.
"We can no longer endure the damage inflicted on our soil by imported chemical fertilisers. These chemicals degrade our farmland and create dependency on foreign producers," Dr. Akoloaga stated. "Moringa is a scientifically proven remedy for various ailments. It is time for Nigeria to move away from chemical-based farming and embrace natural solutions."
Further elaborating on the MoU, Dr. Akoloaga noted that the partnership with MBYDEVO aims to encourage youth participation in moringa farming while equipping farmers with the knowledge required to produce moringa-based agricultural products that meet international standards.
Speaking after the MoU signing, former senator and Grand Patron of MBYDEVO, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, called on federal, state, and local governments, as well as tertiary institutions, to invest in moringa farming for its economic, health, and employment benefits.
Professor Hagher decried the detrimental effects of chemical fertilisers on Nigerian soil, urging the adoption of moringa fertiliser for enhanced agricultural productivity. He encouraged universities and polytechnics to establish moringa farms as a means of increasing revenue and promoting health-conscious agricultural practices.
"We need to return to natural solutions. Moringa cultivation is the most affordable way to ensure a healthy population and increase foreign revenue earnings," Professor Hagher asserted. "One moringa seed has more value than an AK-47 rifle in securing the future of this nation."
Echoing this sentiment, the President of MBYDEVO, Chris Aba, outlined the numerous benefits of moringa-based products, calling on investors and well-meaning Nigerians to support moringa farming for the socio-economic advancement of the country.
He disclosed that a warehouse has been secured in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, to ensure farmers have easy access to moringa fertilisers as the planting season approaches.
The MoU was signed between Moringa Productions, Marketers, Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, Eden Moringa Productions and Marketers Limited, Middle Belt Youth Development Organization, and Agreco Shift Limited.
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