Varsity don offers FG tips on how to curb their appetites

 

Professor Oluyemisi Bolajoko Fawole, a faculty member at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), has proposed a substantial allocation of resources towards enhancing agricultural production as a viable strategy for mitigating food insecurity within the nation.

During the 242nd inaugural lecture conducted at the main auditorium of the institution, Fawole, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, made the following statement.

During the delivery of the lecture titled "Intimate Strangers in Soil and Agricultural Sustainability," Professor Fawole additionally recommended that governments support the endeavor by using external inputs such as mineral or organic fertilizers to enhance crop productivity, as a significant number of soils possess inherent limitations in terms of nutrient content.

Fawole, the second female lecturer in the agriculture faculty to participate in the series of events since 1979, observed that while inorganic fertilizers enhance food production, their prolonged application in soil leads to soil pollution and degradation, thereby compromising soil health.

The professor of soil and microbiology expressed regret over the absence of appropriate conservation and management techniques in sustainable agriculture, as soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and other forms of soil degradation can lead to substantial decreases in crop yields and pose threats to the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. Soil conservation and management were identified as the most highly desired means of improving sustainable agriculture.

The speaker elucidated that farmers have the capacity to mitigate soil erosion, promote soil fertility, and optimize crop yields through the use of soil conservation and management techniques.

These agricultural practices encompass crop rotation, minimized tillage, implementation of cover crops, adoption of cross-slope farming techniques, utilization of composts and manure, and incorporation of biofertilizers.

Fawole, a member of the academic advisory board of the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, emphasizes the importance of the federal government and rural communities investing in climate-smart agriculture methods as a means to enhance soil health and fertility.

The recommendation was made that the inclusion of environmental education within school curricula would serve to provide early instruction to children regarding the consequences of human activities on soil quality and the potential hazards associated with climate change.

It is imperative to implement public awareness campaigns using mass media platforms to disseminate knowledge regarding the crucial functions of soil microorganisms in the preservation and enhancement of soil health.

The individual proposed that promoting afforestation within our communities is essential for fostering a robust soil ecosystem. Additionally, they suggested that farmers should be incentivized to use conservation agricultural techniques, such as crop rotation, over cropping, tillage, and mulching, in order to preserve soil biodiversity.

Nevertheless, she emphasized the need of the government's provision of state-of-the-art modern technology and facilities within laboratories for the purpose of studying soil microorganisms, among other factors.