Farmers in Oyo State have called on the Federal Government to review the importation and use of chemical fertilisers and other agrochemicals, raising concerns about their possible impact on human health, soil quality, and long-term agricultural sustainability.
The concerns were expressed during a training programme organised by Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network, where 120 youths and women farmers were trained on compost and biopesticide production in Ibadan.
The programme, funded by Agroecology Fund and themed “Project: Seeds of Change – Youth Mobilising for Food Systems Transformation,” focused on building practical skills in organic farming methods and strengthening the capacity of smallholder farmers across the agroecology value chain. Participants included representatives from farmer groups such as the All Farmers Association of Nigeria and the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria, alongside other local farming organisations.
Some farmers at the training linked what they described as rising health challenges to the consumption of crops produced with chemical fertilisers, although such claims remain subject to scientific and regulatory evaluation.
Their concerns shows a growing shift among smallholder farmers toward safer, more sustainable farming practices that protect both consumers and the environment.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of SWOFON in Akinyele Local Government Area, Olusola Ayinde Tukur, called for stricter government regulation of agrochemical products.
“They should review the importation of chemical-based products. In our view, they are doing more harm than good,” she said.
She also encouraged farmers to adopt safer alternatives, stressing the importance of food safety and environmental protection in modern agriculture.
Other farmers, including Oluremi Oyetunji and Hamed Kamilu, urged the government to provide more support for compost manure and organic inputs through incentives and awareness programmes.
They emphasised that promoting organic farming could help improve soil health, increase crop quality, and reduce reliance on imported chemical inputs.
Traditional leadership also lent support to the initiative, as the Onijaye of Ijayeland, Abdul-Azeez Akano, represented by Deacon Olaniyi Oyebamiji, commended the organisers for raising awareness about sustainable farming practices.
He called for the programme to be expanded to other communities so that more farmers can benefit from knowledge on organic fertilisers.
During the training, resource person Paul Chukwuebuka guided participants through both theoretical and practical aspects of compost manure and biopesticide production, highlighting the role of organic farming in building resilient agricultural systems.
He noted that there is an increasing need to explore alternatives to synthetic fertilisers, particularly compost-based solutions that can improve soil fertility while reducing environmental risks.
The project is being implemented in phases, according to David Ojebola, Officer in Charge of Field Projects and Land at YARN, with participants drawn from communities across Ido, Akinyele, and parts of Oyo Town.
He encouraged farmers to apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve their farm practices and prepare for future support initiatives.
The training reflects a broader movement within Nigeria’s agricultural sector toward agroecology, as farmers seek practical ways to improve productivity, protect soil health, and ensure safer food systems in the face of environmental and economic pressures.
