Agricultural experts have called on local farmers to reduce their reliance on agrochemicals in crop cultivation as a means to boost productivity and promote healthier food systems.
The experts made this appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
Dr. Segun Adebayo, Deputy Director at the Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research, emphasized that high crop yields can still be achieved without the use of agrochemicals, as was the practice in the past.
“Agriculture is one of humanity’s oldest industries. Long before the advent of synthetic fertilizers and chemical additives, people were successfully cultivating crops to sustain civilizations,” he said.
“The question we must ask is: how did they manage to preserve soil fertility and achieve abundant harvests over generations?”
He explained that one major factor was the use of organic matter—such as compost, green manure, and animal droppings—which nourished the soil naturally.
“If you observe forests, they thrive without synthetic fertilizers. That’s because the natural cycle of organic decomposition replenishes the soil,” Adebayo noted.
He advocated for the adoption of traditional farming practices to enhance productivity without over-reliance on agrochemicals.
“Traditional farming included methods like crop rotation, which prevented nutrient depletion and broke pest and disease cycles. Cover cropping with nitrogen-fixing plants, like legumes, also helped rejuvenate the soil and prevent erosion,” he explained.
“Today, we can enhance these natural practices with modern technology. For instance, regular soil testing ensures that fertilizers are applied only when necessary. Precision agriculture tools, like GPS-guided applicators, help farmers apply inputs accurately, reducing waste and environmental damage.”
Dr. Adebayo also highlighted biological alternatives such as bio-fertilizers—microbial inoculants like rhizobia and mycorrhizae—which improve nutrient uptake in plants.
“Agroforestry, polyculture, and mulching are also effective practices. These methods improve soil health, retain moisture, and foster biodiversity, making farming systems more resilient,” he added.
“Ultimately, sustainable agriculture isn’t just about techniques; it’s about education. Farmers need training so that this knowledge becomes a lasting culture, not just a temporary campaign.”
Similarly, agricultural analyst Mr. Omotunde Banjoko offered practical strategies for reducing agrochemical dependence.
“To curb over-reliance on fertilizers, we need to revisit our agronomic practices—simple measures like crop rotation and allowing land to lie fallow periodically can significantly restore soil nutrients,” Banjoko said.
“We must begin to adopt biological approaches to soil fertility and embrace organic farming, which involves minimal or no chemical use in crop production.”
However, Banjoko stressed that for large-scale commercial farming, the integration of technology is essential to maintain and increase productivity.
