FCT-SAPZ sensitises farmers on integrated pest management

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) on Wednesday organised a sensitisation programme for farmers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

The programme, according to the organisers, was aimed at educating farmers on the importance of adopting IPM practices to reduce pesticide use, promote sustainable agriculture, and improve crop yields.

The Rural Institutions Development Secretariat Officer, FCT-SAPZ, Muhsin Gambo Lawal, speaking further on the event emphasized the need for farmers to shift from traditional pest control methods to more sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches.

IPM techniques, such as crop rotation, biological control, and cultural controls, were highlighted as effective ways to manage pests without harming the environment.

He explained that the project was to support smallholder farmers within host communities by establishing Agricultural Transformation Centres and Agricultural Industrial Hubs.

“To ensure the success of these centers and hubs, we need to build the capacity of smallholder farmers to enhance their productivity.

“As part of our intervention, we are providing training on integrated pest management (IPM) to smallholder farmers. The goal of IPM is to minimize inputs and maximise outputs, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers,” he said.

According to him, farmers often spend excessive amounts on inputs, including pesticides, which can be toxic to crops, the environment, and human health.

“IPM training teaches farmers alternative techniques, such as cultural, mechanical, biological, and sanitation methods, to reduce costs and contamination.

“We have conducted IPM training sessions in Karshi and Paiko, with positive responses from farmers. A total of 242 farmers have been trained, and we plan to extend the project to other states in the future. Our approach includes building the capacity of extension service providers and facilitators to ensure sustainability and scalability.

“We have trained 121 farmers in Karshi and another 121 in Paiko Gwagwalada reserves, covering 16 host communities. Our training programs are designed to equip smallholder farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their productivity and contribute to the success of the Agricultural Transformation Centres and Agricultural Industrial Hubs,” he said.

Speaking, Director of SERVICOM University of Abuja, Prof. Toba Anjorin, who is the consultant of the programme said the training was to promote the gospel of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). 

According to him, “IPM is a holistic approach that combines physical, cultural, biological, and chemical controls to manage pests and diseases. This approach, he said will reduce the emphasis on synthetic chemicals, which are harmful to the environment and human health.

“As a consultant, I’ve seen the negative impacts of excessive chemical use on farm produce. For instance, yam treated with too many chemicals can become discolored and develop an unpleasant taste. Similarly, vegetables grown with excessive chemicals can be toxic to consumers.

“IPM offers a better alternative. By combining different control methods, farmers can reduce their reliance on synthetic chemicals, improve crop yields, and promote environmental sustainability. IPM also ensures that farm produce is safer for consumption and meets international quality standards.”

In the same vain, the Agric Productivity Officer, APO SAPZ, Mr. Haruna Maisamari Umar, said, the main focus of their training program is Integrated Pest Management (IPM) targeted at educating farmers on the risks of excessive chemical use in their farming practices.

“We are training our farmers to avoid excessive use of chemicals and instead adopt cultural controls and other sustainable methods,” Umar explained.

He said, “the training program has already shown promising results, with 222 participants from 7 communities successfully completing the training. These participants will now serve as representatives, sharing their knowledge with other farmers in their communities.

“By promoting IPM practices, it will help reduce the environmental and health impacts of chemical use, while also improving crop yields and promoting sustainable agriculture”.

One of the participants, Zakari Baba, who spoke on behalf of the farmers, expressed appreciation for the knowledge gained and committed to adopting IPM practices in their farming activities.

“The FCT-SAPZ initiative is a welcome development in promoting sustainable agriculture practices in the FCT and beyond. By empowering farmers with the knowledge and skills to adopt IPM, the initiative is contributing to a more sustainable food system and a healthier environment,” he said.