Environmentalist advises youths on natural method of food production

An environmentalist, Mr Nnimmo Bassey, has advised young people to preserve the traditional method of farming by using natural manure to grow crops, which is healthy for human consumption.

He said that this would also help to build the immune system against diseases such as coronavirus.

Bassey, a recipient of the National Honour of Member of order of Federal Republic (MFR) for Environmental Activism, gave the advice during a virtual dialogue with students on food and agricultural systems.

He said that the traditional method of farming had helped people in the past to live healthy lives as their immune systems were better built to resist diseases of any kind.

Bassey said that it was gratifying that the period of the lockdown had compelled people to revert to the traditional ways of growing crops and vegetables.

He said that the traditional farming practice had led them to eating healthy meals devoid of toxic chemicals and herbicides associated with industrial agricultural practices.

“This has been one of the positives that came out of the lockdown. Some of us have not only grown crops, but have also been paying close attention to them as they grow. “Working with nature allows the farmer or gardener the pleasure of safely interacting with soils, crops and animals without the fear of being affected by agrochemicals applied on genetically modified varieties or in industrial farms.

“Connecting with nature and eating natural foods is an important way to build resilience against COVID-19 and other diseases that may emerge.

“The COVID-19 pandemic gives us a good space to consider the need to protect our farming and food systems from being destroyed by manipulators and market speculators as well as promoters and supposed regulators of agricultural genetic engineering in our countries.

“It is a big challenge when public officers saddled with defending our biosafety refuse to see the interconnectedness between the social, economic and environmental elements of agriculture and foods,” Bassey said.

According to the environment expert, food is not a mechanical or chemical product from a factory or laboratory. NAN.