As RoSF trains women on modern urban farming practices, sustainability
Experts in the agro-allied and farming ecosystem have raised the alarm over current food insecurity in the country, noting that if the situation is not urgently addressed, it would lead to danger.
Speaking at the Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF) Enterprise Development Training Programme, held at the foundation’s premises in Lagos, the founder and facilitator, Greenfield Agro-Allied Consult and farming systems Limited, Durojaiye Olusegun, argued that more than ever, Nigeria has to become food sufficient because the country’s food security systems are under attack.
He stressed the need to bring in more people and fresh ideas towards safeguarding the nation’s food systems. He regretted that most insecurity incidences these days target agro-ecological zones, destroying farmlands.
Touching on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) seeds and foodstuff, he said in its best interest, the country should not promote the use of GMO, noting that he is not against technology. He added that its safety has not yet been ascertained by the authorities in charge.
“We have been asking for its protocol and effect on both people’s health and our environment, but we are yet to get answers. From our own research, we discovered that GMO seeds and produce, pose a threat to our health.
When we fed some white rats in our lab some GMO maize seedlings, after 10 days, we noticed they all developed a cancerous growth. Now imagine its effects on humans, which hasn’t been fully documented,” he said.
He noted that these categories of seedlings are pest resistant because they have chemicals in them which are not very fit for human consumption. He advocated that local seedlings should instead be researched upon and developed properly.
At the three-day training, which had a good number of women in attendance, the Team Lead, Urban Grow Lab, Onaolapo Farouq, noted that the purpose of the training is to promote urban farming as Nigeria cannot continue to depend on others to feed over 200 million people. “We need more people to get into agriculture. To be honest, the sector has evolved beyond going to the villages to farm, we can farm in the cities and this is what we want to promote,” he said.
During the programme, women were exposed to training on practical ways to grow vegetables faster, safer and economically, and how to explore social media to make sales,
Durojaiye noted that this is the second phase of the training that kicked off last year. He said participants were taught what to do, which yielded positive results. He added that this year’s edition expands upon the scope from last year.
“This is an enterprise development programme of the RoSF and they are clearly purposeful and intentional about empowering these women.”
It is a three-day programme, two days for theory and the last day for practical because agriculture is not what you will learn in a classroom. This year, we explored advanced and new techniques of growing tomatoes, pepper and other vegetables; pest and disease management strategies; production of organic compost and making of organic pesticides and also, the market and profit strategies to maximise income.”
He noted that at the end of the programme, participants would gain new knowledge, methods and be more invigorated towards promoting agriculture holistically.
National Coordinator, RoSF, Oloruntosin Taiwo, noted that agriculture is a never-ending learning process, stressing that their goal is to help the foundation’s women remain updated on new trends to help them expand their business and improve their productivity.
“We are still emphasising on soilless farming, vegetable planting and other basic, everyday produce. They have been taught on embracing organic manure, pesticides and so on because we want to move our farming practices away from chemical use to ensure their safety.”
She added that they work in collaboration with other partners who provide the women with necessary farm inputs, adding that this year would not be different as they would receive some form of support, namely farm implements, to increase their productivity.
One of the beneficiaries, Obey Olubisi Abiola, noted that she came all the way from Ikorodu, where her farm is situated. She stressed that food safety and security is important, noting that Nigerians should be able to know what they are eating. “We were taught helpful tips including the need to avoid GMO seedlings, which often have zero replant value; hybrid farming and so on. Everything learnt here would be replicated on my farm including how to use social media to tell our farming stories and reach more people,” She said.
