CSOs task govts on adoption of agroecology to tackle food insecurity, climate change

By Lovina Anthony, Akwa-ibom

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have called on government at all levels to adopt agroecology as a sustainable farming system in the country.

They noted that such a system will not only ensure food security but will bring about food sovereignty while improving adaptation to climate change.

In a communique issued at the end of a practical Agroecology Training by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in collaboration with ‘Be the Help Foundation (BHF) for CSOs/Trainers held at BHF Agroforestry Farm office.

They said the two major crises of hunger and climate change, the world is grappling with is caused by the industrial model of agriculture, saying that transition to Agroecology system of farming is important at this time.

They, therefore, urged government to equip farmers with adequate knowledge on agroecology to enable them to continuously meet the responsibility of producing safe, nutritious and culturally adapted food in the face of the climate crises, while sustaining their livelihood as well.

According to the communique, “The government should endorse and adopt agroecology as the sustain-able farming system in Nigeria which will not only ensure food security, but also bring about food sovereignty while improving adaptation to climate change.

“The CSOs the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to partner with groups like HOMEF and the BHF to set up agroecology demonstration farms in communities and extend the knowledge/practice of agroecology to more farmers/communities across the country.

“In setting up an agroecology farm, it is important to engage the community where it is situated and ensure they are at the center of the project; endeavor to add employment from within the community and carry them along in the process to mitigate and eradicate any crisis.”

The CSOs while highlighting the dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs, and inorganic pesticides commended the House of Representatives for the move to probe the approval of GMO in Nigeria even as they called for a proper examination on the root causes of food insecurity in Nigeria and direct measures to address them.

They also called on government, at federal, state and local government levels, to do more in monitoring seeds and chemicals that farmers are given.

“Our focus should be on the restoration of the soil using the agroforestry model, planting nitrogen fixing crops, and flowers to draw insects away from food crops.” They added.