In a call to action at the Enugu Youth Summit on Agroecology and Food Systems, ActionAid’s Programme Advisor, Blessing Ifemenam, urged the Nigerian government to back sustainable food production models that prioritize community-driven agroecological practices. Organized by ActionAid in collaboration with the South Sahara Social Development Organisation (SSDO), the summit emphasized the benefits of agroecology for Nigeria’s food systems and climate resilience.
Agroecology, a sustainable approach to agriculture, integrates ecological principles into farming, advocating for the careful management of natural resources. “We encourage the government to support agroecological production models owned by local communities,” said Ifemenam. “These models offer a sustainable way to produce, process, and distribute food while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
The ActionAid project, she explained, seeks to empower marginalized young people, particularly young women, by fostering sustainable livelihoods and resilience against climate change and socio-economic challenges.
Read Also: Rivers crisis: Gov. Fubara craves new relationship with police
SSDO’s Executive Director, Dr. Stanley Ilechukwu, echoed this, saying, “Agroecology provides a holistic path for transforming agriculture in Enugu and beyond. It boosts yields while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience.”
Professor Dickson Achimugu, an ActionAid researcher, also highlighted the risks of chemical pesticides, advocating for a return to organic farming and the use of bio-pesticides. “We must reduce our dependence on harmful chemical pesticides, which are dangerous to human health,” he said.
In alignment with this vision, Enugu State’s government, represented by Mike Ogbuekwe, Special Adviser on Agriculture, has initiated farm estates to create clusters in each of the state’s 260 wards, urging youth to join and benefit financially.
Participants, like Jude Ugwu and Ngozi Odo, expressed gratitude for the event, noting they were inspired to adopt organic practices to promote health and sustainability.
