Organic methods of farming is not a choice, but a necessity – Oyesola

The National President, Ecosystem Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly, Nigeria (NPEBAFSAN), James Oluwagbemiga Oyesola, has stated that organic method of farming is not a choice but a necessity.

Oyesola, who stated this on Sunday during the 2016 World Food Day with the theme “CLIMATE IS CHANGING, FOOD AND AGRICULTURE MUST TOO” noted that food production for the future cannot continue without taking care of the soil, water and biodiversity.

He described the team as very unique and timely taken to cognizance that one of the biggest issues related to climate change is food security vis a vis agriculture.

Oyesola said; “In the face of climate change and rising demand for resources, the need for ecologically sustainable and resilient food production is more urgent than ever. Increasing the proportion of agriculture that uses sustainable, organic methods of farming is not a choice, it’s a necessity. We simply can’t continue to produce food far into the future without taking care of our soils, water and biodiversity.”
He noted that food security will emerge as a core development concern in Nigeria as extreme climate events will affect all four dimensions of food security, which are as follows; food production, food availability, food accessibility, food utilisation and food systems stability .
He pointed out that climate change would bring uncertainty and volatility to food prices among others with disproportionate effect on the rural farming families of which majority are women and small scale farmers.
“In Nigeria, as the government now focused on diversifying the economy into agriculture, climate change may be a threat to this golden opportunity. Climate Change is likely to drive majority of the population into destitution as assets are lost and resources diverted to deal with emergencies, instead of being used for physical, social and economic infrastructure development. Frequency and intensity of extreme events (heat, waves, droughts and floods) are likely to increase, leading to reduced yield levels and disruptions in food production and distribution channels. Furthermore, temperature rise and changes in timing magnitude, and distribution of precipitations are likely to increase moisture and heat stress on crops and livestock which will make agricultural practices unpredictable.” Oyesola maintained.
He said that there are considerable evidences that Climate Change is already affecting Nigeria’s people and its environment, creating strong negative impact, stressing that some areas are becoming too hot for certain crops or animals.
He attributed that other evidences of climate change are; little or too much rain, the breakout of climate sensitive diseases, drier areas being experienced, producing food using irrigation may not be possible as there is reduction water availability.
He expressed that the other extreme, which is flooding is caused by rise in sea level, and could destroy the infrastructure used for storage or transport food from production areas to markets, saying that raining season are now becoming very erratic.