Embrace environment-friendly agricultural practices, NGO urges Gombe farmers
Jewel Environmental Initiative (JEI), a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) has urged farmers in Gombe State to embrace use of organic fertiliser and other environment-friendly agricultural practices to boost soil quality and improve environment.
Mr Ismail Bima, the Chief Executive Officer of the NGO gave the advice in an interview with our correspondent on Friday in Gombe.
Bima stated that there was an increase in the number of farmers who were buying animal dung for the purpose of revitalising their farmland ahead of the 2021 wet season farming.
According to him, this showed acceptance of the awareness that his NGO and other relevant stakeholders have been carrying out in the state on the need for farmers to embrace environment-friend agricultural practices.
“Today farmers are beginning to gather animal wastes to put on their farms. Two years ago, animal dung was sold between N10, 000 and N15, 000 for six tonnes.
“But now if you want to buy it, you won’t get it less than N25, 000. People are beginning to understand the value of these wastes and even dump site, people are getting materials for organic manure.’’
Bima, who stated though chemical fertilisers were used by farmers to increase crop production, added that prolonged use of such chemical had caused severe damage on the soil, decreased fertility and soil quality.
“As an environmentalist, I can tell you that the excessive use of chemical fertiliser is affecting our environment and the health of humans.
“This has caused serious soil degradation, loss of soil carbon and decrease in crop yield over time.’’
Bima stated that his NGO had embarked on several campaign visits to various communities within the state to sensitise farmers against activities that could destroy soil quality and affect health of people like bush burning.
According to him, bush burning and prolonged use of chemical fertilisers by farmers are some of the farming practices that destroy soil quality and lead to soil pollution, hence farmers must embrace agricultural practices that are environment-friendly.
He said that the waste management culture amongst residents was improving as more youths were now taking most of the wastes out of drainages and unwanted sites to sell and make money.
This, he said was good for the environment.
He stated that the waste-to-wealth approach to waste management was working in Gombe, “go round and check, dump sites are now disappearing because people are fetching domestic wastes and selling them.’’
Bima stated that since majority of the residents of Gombe state are farmers, “that’s why we are sensitising and encouraging them to embrace organic means of fertilising their land and also plant economic trees.’’
He appealed to farmers in the state to continue to adopt organic manures and environment-friendly agricultural practices to protect the soil, the environment and their health.
