‘Organic foods are healthier for human consumption’

Mr Patrick Ugwumba, Chief Executive Officer of Farmkash, an outfit that specialises in helping people in farming organically, has maintained that organic foods are better for human consumption for health benefits.

According to him, “Most processed foods contain dangerous and harmful chemical substances. There has been increased risk of cancer and other chronic diseases attributable to poisonous foods. There has been a continuous reduction in the life expectancy of both male and female in Nigeria. Many people wish to eat safe and healthy food but have limited access to it.”

Farmkash cultivates chili peppers, castor seeds, vegetables and other crops without synthetic chemicals in Ogun Sate.

“In Nigeria today, more people die from the food they eat rather than other vices. The reason for this is clear as most of the available foods in laden with deposits of pesticides, herbicides and dangerous preservatives that have the capacity to cause harms to the body,” he explained.

He added that there is serious gap in the number of people producing safe and healthy food in Nigeria.

The farm boss explained that some of the aims are to educate the populace on the need to eat right, to produce and market safe and healthy foods free of chemicals and preservatives, to help people overcome their health challenges by introducing food therapy at affordable prices.

Ugwumba said a large number of seasoning blends in the market today contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), a dangerous component that may lead to inflammation, migraines, infertility, difficulty in breathing for asthmatics, joint pain, rectal bleeding, obesity and/or cell damage, to name only a few potential effects.

“Admittedly, it does take a bit more planning and time in the kitchen to prepare food at home using fresh and locally grown ingredients. But knowing that your food is pure and free of toxic additives like MSG will make it worth it. We are growing older each day,” he advised.