A don at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) professor Oluyemisi Bolajoko Fawole has suggested heavy investment that will ensure an increase in crop production as a surest way of reducing hunger in the country.

Fawole, the Dean of agriculture faculty, said this at the 242 inaugural lecture held at the school’s main auditorium.

While delivering the lecture titled: “intimate strangers in soil and Agricultural Sustainability,” Professor Fawole further advised policymakers to aid the exercise with external inputs like mineral or organic fertilizers to boost crop production “since most soils are inherently poor”.

Fawole, who is the second female lecturer in the agriculture faculty to feature in the series of event since 1979, noted that though inorganic fertilizers boost food production, “it is at the cost of soil health as persistent use of these chemicals in soil will result in pollution and degradation of soil”.

Listing soil conservation and management as the most sought enhancement of sustainable agriculture, the professor of soil and microbiology regretted that without proper conservation and management techniques, “soil erosion, nutrient depletion and other forms of soil degradation can occur, causing significant reduction in crop yields and threats to long term sustainability of agricultural systems.

“Farmers can help to prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility and enhance crop yields by implementing soil conservation and management practices,” she explained.

“These include crop rotation, reduced tillage, cover cropping, cross-slope farming, application composts and manure and use of biofertilizers.”

Fawole, who is also a member of the academic advisory council of the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, however urged the federal government and farming communities to invest in climate-smart agriculture practices to promote soil health and fertility.

She suggested that “environmental education should be taught in schools to educate children early on the impact of human activities on soil and dangers of climate change.

“There should be public awareness campaigns through mass media on the roles of soil microbes in maintenance of soil health.

“Afforestation should be encouraged in our communities for a healthy soil ecosystem,” she recommended, adding that farmers should be encouraged to practice conservation agriculture for preservation of soil biodiversity – crop rotation, over cropping, tillage and mulching.”

She however urged the government to provide world class modern equipment and facilities for the study of soil microorganisms in the laboratories, among others.
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