FG bows to farmers’ demand on GES

*Clears GMO, Organic farming

The popular demand for the return of Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) of inputs distribution to registered small scale farmers through electronic mobile phones has finally got the approval of the Federal Government (FG) as preparation is on top gear to commence the programme for the upcoming dry season farming.

The representative, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Mr. Abara Ekeoma made this known while responding to questions at the business summit on organic agriculture held last week in Abuja.

Mr. Ekeoma said that the FMARD has started putting effort together to ensure food security through the distribution of both organic and inorganic fertilizers for the 2021 dry season farming, pointed that letters had already been sent out to inputs providers to get prepared for the supplies using the GES model.

He said that the Ministry through its fertilizer and inputs department has been making frantic effort to promote the use of organic fertilizers for soil nutrients stability and proper ecological management of sustainable well-secured food systems, saying that the return of GES by the FG as a means to support farmers with inputs without discrimination against organic fertilizers is a sign of great commitment to ensuring the practice of organic agriculture in the country.

Ekeoma said that the component of organic inputs had since been included in the fertilizer policy of the FG during the time of the former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina saying Government has decided to return back the GES for the purpose of support to registered farmers through inputs distribution of both organic and inorganic fertilizers for the coming dry season farming.

Responding to question on Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) in our farming system, he said what is paramount to Government is ensuring food security for her citizen through tested available scientific technologies of which GMO practices belong, saying that the choice of technology adoptions is the right of individuals which nobody can be denied either organic agriculture practitioners or GMO believers.

He added that government cannot discriminate against the use of GMOs when it comes to the matter of food security as long as the regulatory agencies and research institutes in the country are doing their certification job very well, added that all these technologies availabilities would also give room for competitiveness and choice opportunity to farmers.

Earlier, the representatives,  Ministers of Health and Education ministries have both expressed concern about the use of synthetic fertilizers in our farming systems as they both emphasized the need for the promotion of organically produced foods for healthy living of the citizens and enhancement of our soil ecologies.

Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire ably represented by Mr. John Atanda said that the recurrent health challenges being faced by the people was as a result of food-related diseases caused by synthetic fertilizers, therefore, called for the need to embrace the practices of organic agriculture in order to promote healthy living and economic productivity in the country.

Atanda posited that organically produced foods have been credited to having potentials of giving healthiness to the body than any inorganic food, stressing the need for more sensitization on the practices of organic agriculture with right regulatory process in Nigeria.

Also the Minister of Education, Prof. Adama Adamu speaking through his representative, Mr. Kehinde Osinaike lent his weight behind his colleague saying organic foods are more potent to healthy living than inorganic and its practices must be made popular than any other synthetic related food productions. 

According to Kehinde Osinaike ‘’ My ministry aligns with organic agriculture and the practices has  been included in the schools’ curriculum.  Inorganic fertilizer reduces yield and quality of food produce with pesticide that affect body system’’.