Association urges farmers to use manure for improved societal health
Manure
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), March 31, 2019 (NAN) Alhaji Nuhu Aminu, Chairman, All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kaduna state chapter on Sunday urged farmers to resort to the use of local manure to enhance their health.
He made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria.
Aminu observed that local manure is far better than the conventional fertiliser, adding that it is more nutritious,tasty and healthier.
According to him,when a farmer uses one truck of manure in a farmland that he uses 10 bags of conventional fertiliser annually, all that he needs that particular year is about five bags of conventional fertiliser, that’s half of what he used to apply.
“Manure applied to a farmland in a given year takes more than three years reviving the land but chemical fertiliser can only be used for just one year no more no less and it kills the land.
“Research by experts shows that food produced using manure is more healthy, nutritious and satisfying than food produced using conventional fertiliser,” he said.
The chairman added that from experience, when food produced using conventional fertiliser is covered, some traces of steam manifested on the cover but nothing of such is seen from the one produced using manure.
On fertiliser supply, the chairman appealed to government to expedite action toward early supply of the commodity before the onset of the rains.
He advised farmers to sell one third of their harvest and use the money to purchase fertiliser instead of waiting for subsidised one from government which may not arrive on time.
“This is because, the subsidised fertiliser might not be supplied as early as they need it, hence there is need for adequate preparation beforehand.
“We envisaged possibility of delay in fertiliser supply in 2019, therefore, as farmers, we should be patient and use the little money we have to get what we want at the time we want.
“Expert have told us that this year’s rainy season may not be long enough, therefore, for maize farmers it might not be business as usual, we should make sure that we use extra-early seed varieties.
“This is to ensure that the maize is cultivated and harvested within the shortage possible period to avoid any eventuality,” Aminu said.
He added:”This will enable farmers cultivate and harvest the maize in a short period of time and benefit from what they have invested.
“Remember,the era for subsistence farming is over, we are into farming not only to feed ourselves, feed others and make lot of profits out of it.
“Therefore today farming is not only an inherited tradition but a full pledge business.” (NAN)
KLM/HS/ASS/ABI
Edited by Halima Sheji/Saidu Adamu
(08030571716 mohdammed4u@yahoo.com)
======