#National News

Agriculturist exhorts young people into organic farming

Mar 17, 2021, 2:07 PM | Article By: Ablie Secka

Fatima Gaye, founder of Gaye Njorro Farm Project has called on young people to actively engage in local organic farming.

She argued that chemical products are hazardous to human health, crops and even the soil nutrients.

In an interview with The Point Newspaper at her farm in New Yundum, she said her farm produces pure organic produce plus adding value to some of the locally made products. 

"Because it's use to decrease the nutrients of the soil and lead us to less rain, healthiness and endless pollution, low yield to the production sector. We are into making of compost, bio pesticides solution, moringa/papaya soaps, pawpaw seedlings, seeds, fruits, pure honey, lemon juice, pepper sauce, tomato paste and jam, etc." she said.

Organic farming, she said, lowers the risks of environmental pollution and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by severely restricting the use of manufactured products.

"Soil that are rich in organic matters hold more air and water and produced higher yield than soil with low organic matter, because organic also supply a steady release of nutrients to plant, inhibit erosion, and house a robust population of beneficial microorganisms." she remarked. 

The young agriculturist equally called on government and relevant stakeholders to help support young female agriculturists who venture into agrarian activities.

This, she believes, would help them actively participate meaningfully in development initiatives thus curbing irregular migration in the country.

"The government should encourage the use of organic agriculture in the country and know that the sector is the back bone of the country." said Fatima Gaye.

She complained lacked of financial muscles to move her farm produce beyond subsistence farming.