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 and Chief Executive Officer 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 Organization (MBYDEVO) on Monday.
Akoloaga, who is an indegene of Nasarawa state, challenged farmer cooperatives and farmer 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 loss soil fertility occasioned by the use of other organic fertilizer introduced to the farmers over the years.
The MD who noted that moringa has been proven scientifically to cure so many diseases said Nigerians can no longer depend on chemical organic fertilizer because of the health challenges associated with the food produced with the use of chemical fertilizers in the country.
He said “We can no longer endure the damage to our soil caused by chemical fertiliser imported into the country. Chemical fertilizers destroys the soil and producers of these chemical fertilizers make Nigerians to be dependent on them.”
“Moringa is a miracle plant. Moringa cures so many diseases. It has been proven scientifically that moringa cures so many ailments. Nigeria is challenged in the health policy. As a researcher, I realize that we can no longer depend on chemical medicines.
Akoloaga who is also the Chairman of Moringa Productions, Marketers and Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, explained further that the signing of MoU with Middle Belt Youth Development Organization, 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 products that meet international standards.
Speaking shortly after signing the MOU, 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 Middle Belt Youth Development Organization (MBYDEVO) lamented the negative effect of chemical fertiliser 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 healtha d earn foreign revenue earnings.”
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 saying “One seed of moringa is more than AK 47 gun.”
In a statement signed by the DG, Media and Publicity, Middle Belt Youth Development Organization, 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 stressed the NGO’s commitment to ensuring that moringa fertilizers were made available to farmers within the middle Belt and beyond for the benefit of the people.
He announced that already a ware house has been secured in Lafia, Nasarawa state Capital where farmers can access the products hence the setting in of the farming season.
It would be recalled that the MoU was between the Moringa Productions, Marketers, Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, Eden Moringa Productions and Marketers Limited, Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation, Agreco Shift Limited.