The Role of Organic Farming in Promoting Healthy Living
December 12, 2024
Organic farming has grown to be a world concern in the field of agriculture, especially in Nigeria. Essentially, there is the need to be more conscious of food safety and environmental sustainability. This means that more people are taking to organic farming to ensure that they consume healthier and more sustainable food options. Organic farming is a method of farming that stays away from the use of synthetic products, ensuring that farming relied solely on natural techniques to grow crops and raise animals. Organic farming encourages farmers to use more compost, manure, crop rotation, and biological pest control, rather than synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and artificial growth hormones.
Organic farming has a lot of benefits that it contributes to promoting healthy living. It provides the option of healthier food choices. With the freedom from synthetic pesticides and fertilisers which could leave residues on the farm produce, people have reduced exposure to these chemicals, which could cause a variety of health issues. This would in turn reduce the high risk of chronic diseases, which could be caused by consuming these toxic substances. Some of these diseases include cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
Also, the contribution of organic farming to improved environmental health cannot be overemphasised. The soil is protected from exposure to these harmful substances, which could affect the health of the soil or even seep into the water systems. And it is no news that a clean environment has massive benefits on humans’ health, reducing their exposure to harmful pollutants and the production of clean air and water. This would also affect the health of livestock on the farm, ensuring safer animal products.
The major challenges that could occur with the adoption of organic farming are the lack of awareness on the part of the farmers on how to effectively go about the process of being 100% organic in their farming. Another challenge could also be from the government’s inability to fully support such causes through seminars, incentives, and loan programs. There is the need to adopt continuous advocacy and education of all concerned, and the government should work towards putting policies in place to ensure that organic farming in Nigeria is 100% organic farming.
Organic farming is a much-needed movement to ensure the good health and safety of humans. It is a cause towards healthier living and a sustainable future. This is why Pryme Point Fram Estate has taken the step and conscious efforts to ensure that organic farming is a core essential in its agricultural process. There is also the need for the government and stakeholders to align with establishments that have proven to understand the importance of the case at hand and ensure that it is effected throughout the country.