An agronomist, Dr. Rashida Bala, has cautioned farmers against the continuous misuse of chemical fertilizers without proper knowledge of soil types to avoid long-term damage to farmlands.
She said this in an interview , on Friday in Bauchi.
Bala urged farmers to begin a gradual transition from chemical to organic fertilisers. She warned that chemical fertilisers, when washed into water sources by rain, it contaminate the environment, endanger livestock and communities
The crop scientist said that integrating organic inputs was key to sustaining soil fertility and producing healthy food for consumption.
“Many farmers opt for chemical fertilisers due to their quick results, but these substances pose serious health risks to humans, animals, and degrade the soil over time,” she said.
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According to Bala, transition to organic farming requires patience, as it provides long-term health benefits to human and the environment. She urged government at all levels, to train farmers the techniques to enable them to convert waste and fruit residues into organic fertilisers.
This, she said, would reduce reliance on harmful chemicals, and empower farmers to produce safe farm inputs.
Bala enjoined farmers to study the nutritional needs of their crops, and embrace the use of locally-sourced organic alternatives.
Such alternatives offer a more sustainable approach to increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring food safety.
