Farmers in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State have joined growing calls across the country for a total ban on Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs, citing their potential threats to human health, the environment, and Nigeria’s food sovereignty.
The farmers made their position known during a one-day practical agroecology training with the theme “Solving the Food and Climate Crises,” where participants were exposed to the implications of GMOs and inorganic pesticides and taught how to produce organic fertilizers using local materials.
The session, which brought together farmers, community leaders, and civil society actors, focused on building awareness on the risks associated with genetically modified crops and chemical pesticides.
Experts at the meeting explained that GMOs could deplete soil fertility, endanger pollinators, and expose consumers to health challenges such as organ damage, cancer, and immune disorders.
Some farmers participated in the practical session where they were trained on producing organic fertilizers and pesticides using local materials like cow dung, banana peels, and legumes.
The farmers and community representatives however signed a petition calling for an immediate ban on GMOs and hazardous pesticides, as well as increased government investment in agroecology, organic farming, and extension services to strengthen food security and protect indigenous seeds.
With similar campaigns emerging across several states, the call from Bakassi adds to the growing national advocacy for safer, organic-based agricultural practices capable of protecting both people and the planet.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
