From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Nigerians have been advised to embrace organic fertilisers produced from Moringa plant to enable them produce healthy foods, have bumper harvest, nourish the soil and increase foreign revenue earnings.
The Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eden e-Moringa Productions and Marketers Limited, Dr Ashimashiga Akoloaga made the call at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with the Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation (MBYDEVO) yesterday.
Akoloaga, who is an indigene of Nasarawa State, challenged farmers cooperatives and farmers groups to partner the Eden Moringa in the distribution of e-Moringa fertiliser and other products in Nigeria and beyond the shores of the country.
He described Moringa as a miracle plant capable of replacing the lost soil fertility occasioned by the use of other organic fertilisers introduced to farmers over the years.
The MD, who noted that Moringa has been proven scientifically to cure so many diseases said Nigerians could no longer depend on chemical organic fertilisers because of the health challenges associated with the food produced with the use of chemical fertilisers in the country.
“We can no longer endure the damage to our soil caused by chemical fertilisers imported into the country. Chemical fertilisers destroy the soil and producers of these chemical fertilisers make Nigerians to be dependent on them.
“Moringa is a miracle plant. It cures so many diseases. It has been proven scientifically that it cures so many ailments. Nigeria is challenged in the health policy. As a researcher, I realise that we can no longer depend on chemical medicines.”
Akoloaga, who is also chairman of Moringa Productions, Marketers and Farmers’ Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, explained further that the signing of MoU with the MBYDEVO was intended to encourage the youth to engage in Moringa farming.
According to him, the synergy was also designed to educate farmers on how to cultivate and produce Moringa that meets international standards.
Speaking shortly after signing the MOU, a former Senator, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, urged federal, states and local governments, as well as tertiary institutions across the country to invest in Moringa farming for its huge revenue generation, employment creation and health benefits for the citizenry.
Hagher, who is the grand patron of the MBYDEVO lamented the negative effect of chemical fertilizers on the soil, urging Nigerians to accept and embrace Moringa fertiliser for optimal productivity.
He advised universities and polytechnics to establish Moringa farms to shore up their revenue base and create wealth in the citadels of learning.
He said: “We need to go natural. If we plant Moringa and make it available to the citizenry, we will have a healthy population. Planting of Moringa is the cheapest way people can attain premium health and earn foreign revenues.”
He further advised the Federal Government to encourage the production of Moringa fertiliser to achieve food security, adding that, “It is in agriculture that the security of this country is guaranteed. One seed of Moringa is more than an AK 47 gun.”
In a statement by the DG, Media and Publicity, MBYDEVO, Mr David Odama, president of the organisation, Mr Chris Aba, enumerated the numerous benefits of Moringa products.
While calling on well-meaning Nigerians and investors to invest in Moringa farming for socio-economic development of the country, Aba reiterated the NGO’s commitment to ensuring that Moringa fertilisers were made available to farmers within the Middle Belt and beyond for the benefit of the people.
He announced that already a warehouse has been secured in Lafia, the Nasarawa State Capital, where farmers could access the products, hence, the setting in of the farming season.
The MoU was between the Moringa Productions, Marketers, Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, Eden Moringa Productions and Marketers Limited, MBYDEVO and Agreco Shift Limited.