By Obiabin Onukwugha
Over 100 Ogoni farmers have started using indigenous micro-organic fertilizers to grow their crops, following a training session by a non-governmental organization, Lekeh Development Foundation with funding support from Agroecology Fund.
The training, which was carried out under the theme: “Enhancing Soil Health for Climate Action Toward Sustainable Livelihood Support,” in Bori, Khana local government area of Rivers State on Monday, is part of efforts to promote agroecology and restore degraded soils in Ogoni and the Niger Delta region at large.
During the training, participants were taught on how to produce ash-based pesticides and indigenous microorganisms (IMO), using simple locally available materials such as rice, ash, soap and pepper.
Samuel Kabuya, an agroecology consultant from Uganda and the Lead Trainer, said the initiative aims to drastically reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides which contribute to soil degradation, cancers and other health challenges.
“We are not sabotaging businesses, but we need healthy people for a greater nation. Chemicals are destroying our soils and our bodies. Through this practical training, farmers can now produce their own fertilizers and pesticides at zero percent chemical use,” he stated.
Earlier, Executive Director of Lekeh Development Foundation, Friday Nbani, said the training equips Ogoni farmers with natural methods of producing fertilizers and pesticides, reducing their dependence on harmful chemical inputs.
He noted that decades of oil spills and environmental pollution have left Ogoni soils in crisis, adding that agroecology offers real solutions to soil fertility loss, climate change, and declining food production.
“For more than three decades, our soil has suffered from oil extraction, spillage and contamination. Farmers have been neglected. Agroecology is key to restoring soil health and addressing climate challenges,” he said.
Nbani explained that these organic inputs, boost soil fertility without harming humans, animals, or beneficial organisms. He added that the training includes a Train-the-Trainer (ToT) model across 16 community chapters in Ogoniland, enabling participants to step down the knowledge to thousands of other farmers.
Participants described the training as transformative.
Barinee Lee, said she learned multiple indigenous methods of producing manure and pesticides, which she hopes to teach other women. “With this training, I believe we will grow healthier food and reduce the diseases caused by chemical fertilizers,” she stated.
Another participant, Jacob Gabriel, mentioned that the prademonstrations revealed that crops grown with natural fertilizers are healthier, adding that the knowledge gained will help improve soil fertility and food production across the region.
