About 50 farmers from Oyo, Lagos, Osun, and Ogun States have benefitted from a one-day practical training on agroecology, aimed at strengthening their capacity for sustainable and climate-resilient food production.
The training was organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and hosted by the Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN) at the Organic Demonstration Farm, University of Ibadan.
The intensive workshop focused on hands-on learning in soil fertility, organic fertilizer and pesticide production, and the principles of ecological farming systems that enhance biodiversity and reduce dependence on chemical inputs, while also mitigating climate impacts.
Speaking during the opening session, Esele Ojeanelo, Project Assistant at HOMEF, said the training was part of ongoing efforts by the organization to empower local farmers to adopt safer, healthier agricultural practices that benefit both the food producers, the consumers, the biodiversity and the environment.
“We are committed to helping farmers transition from chemical-dependent agriculture to agroecological methods that protect their health, the soil, and the environment,” Ojeanelo said.
“Agroecology is not just about farming—it is about restoring balance to our food systems and giving control back to local farmers.”
Also speaking, Professor Adeoluwa Olugbenga, the Country Coordinator of ORAIN and a consultant trainer on soil fertility and agroecology, emphasized the importance of restoring soil health through the practice and science of agroecology.
“The soil is alive, and it must be treated as such,” Prof. Adeoluwa explained. “When farmers learn to work with nature instead of against it, there is optimum productivity and resilience increases. This training gives them the tools and confidence to do just that.”
One of the highlights of the training was a practical demonstration session led by Mr. Barnabas Iwan, a trainer from Be the Help Foundation, who taught participants how to produce organic fertilizers and biopesticides using locally available materials.
“The beauty of organic farming is that it empowers farmers to use what they already have,” Barnabas noted. “With simple ingredients like animal waste, rotten fruits, and neem leaves among others, they can produce effective fertilizers and pest control solutions without spending heavily or harming the biodiversity.”
Participants described the training as timely and transformative, particularly amid rising costs of synthetic inputs and growing concerns about soil degradation and food safety.
The event concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among farmers, researchers, and policymakers to scale up agroecological practices across Nigeria and a total ban on the approval of genetically modified foods in the country.
“Our goal is to see a network of farmers who are not just producers of food, but custodians of the environment,” Ojeanelo added. “Agroecology is the future of food sovereignty in Africa.”
