By Abdullahi Lukman
Dr. Rashida Bala, an agronomist, has cautioned farmers against the continuous use of chemical fertilisers without understanding their soil types, warning that such misuse could lead to long-term degradation of farmland and harm the environment.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Bauchi, Bala stressed the need for farmers to gradually transition from chemical to organic fertilisers.
She explained that chemical fertilisers, when washed into nearby water bodies during rainfall, contaminate the environment and pose risks to livestock and surrounding communities.
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“While chemical fertilisers offer quick results, they degrade soil quality over time and pose serious health threats to both humans and animals,” she said.
Bala added that adopting organic inputs is essential for maintaining soil fertility and producing safe, healthy food.
She acknowledged that organic farming requires patience but offers lasting benefits for both the environment and public health.
Bala called on government authorities at all levels to support farmers by providing training on how to convert waste and fruit residues into organic fertilisers.
This, she said, would reduce dependency on harmful chemicals and enable farmers to create safer, more sustainable inputs.
She further encouraged farmers to study their crops’ nutritional needs and adopt locally sourced organic alternatives, which she described as a more sustainable path to increasing productivity and ensuring food safety.
