Vegetable farmers have been advised to grow vegetables without chemicals.
According to experts, mounting evidence shows that food grown naturally with manure like poutry dropping, cow dung and compost among others are rich in nutrients.
The Head, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Anambra State, Mrs Jane – Ego Ohiri, gave the advice at a workshop on Vegetable Value Chain For Export in Awka, Anambra State.
Mrs Ohiri, who spoke on the theme, “Organic Vegetable Production And Value Chain Addition”, harped on the need for farmers to shun using chemicals to grow vegetables as according to her, there are lots of health benefits when they grow vegetables organically.
She explained that not only does organic production help reduce public health risks, mounting evidence shows that food grown natural material with cow dung, and poultry dropping among others are rich in nutrients such as iron, magnesium and phosphorus with less exposure to nitrate and pesticides.
Mrs Ohiri also explained that food spoilage can be traced to micro organism such as bacterial fungi and enzymes.
The Resource person who is also the Director, Technical Services, Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture And Partner to Harvest Plus, Mr Emeka Okoli, educated participants on how to cultivate, processe and as well package Ugu, Green (Spinach), Tomatoes, Carrots, Water Melon, Okora, Bitter Leaf, Onions, Garlic and Turmeric in commercial quantity to meet exportable and marketing standards.
Mr Okoli wants the citizenry to eat nutritional food indigenous in nature such as Ogiri, Akidi, Orange, Ccarrots Sweet Potatoes and advised that they should run away from consumption of too much artificial condiments in their food .
In a vote of thanks, a participant, Mr Ikechukwu Okoro. appreciated the efforts of the organizers and promised to extend the knowledge garned to other farmers.
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