Human food chain toxicity has been shown to be influenced by application of inorganic  fertilizers. In addition, use of inorganic fertilizers to improve fertility has been reported to also be ineffective – especially in parts of Northern Nigeria. This is primarily due to risks including declined soil organic matter content,  soil acidification, and degradation resulting to increased soil erosion. The detrimental effects of inorganic/chemical fertilizers cut across human and environmental health. While the use chemical fertilizers have their place in  increasing plant nutrients in adverse weather conditions or during times when plants need additional nutrients,  their over use has several harmful effects. Chemically produced plants will accumulate in the human body, toxic  chemicals, which are very dangerous. The deleterious effect of the chemical fertilizers starts from the  manufacturing of these chemicals, whose products and by-products constitute toxic chemicals or gases like NH4,  CO2, CH4 etc. which cause air pollution. When the waste from the industries is disposed-off untreated into nearby  water bodies, causes water pollution. It also includes the most devastating effect of chemical waste accumulation  in the water bodies i.e., water eutrophication. And when added in soil, its continuous use degrades the soil health  and quality while polluting it.

On the policy front, Nigeria ratified its commitments to the Paris Climate Change Agreement – popularly known as  the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Among key areas prioritized include sustainable agriculture – where organic fertilizer is a key aspect. The Agricultural Promotion Policy, with its transformational Presidential  Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), offers the most direct policy backing for local fertilizer production in Nigeria. Through PFI,  a total ban on importation of all NPK fertilizers, which are now to be blended locally, has been effected and this is  expected to save the government over $500 million a year in foreign exchange. The trickle down effects in cost  savings of over 2000 Naira compared to imported fertilizers, a 300% increase in local production capacity, as well  as over 250,000 in direct and indirect jobs are in the offing. On the regulatory front, Nigeria is among few countries  with a biofertilizer standard that ensures all locally produced biofertilizer is registered and standardized. This is the  Biofertilizer Registration Regulations 2019, offered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and  Control (NAFDAC). Cumulatively, growth of a local fertilizer industry in Nigeria provides opportunities for expansion  of biofertilizer as a critical complement to optimal use of fertilizers in the country.

The EBAFOSA training came as a timely undertaking to equip youth to seize enterprise opportunities in Nigeria’s growing  domestic fertilizer sub-sector, while contributing to optimal implementation of key climate and development  policy & regulatory provisions – including the NDCs, the Agricultural Promotion Policy & PFI as well as the  biofertilizer regulations.

Introduction 

On 31st of August 2020 to 3rd September 2020, willing Innovative Volunteerism Youth actors for Climate Action  under the Youth climate action solutions enterprise called EBApreneur solutions Nigeria undertook a training in  bio-fertilizer making. The objective of the training was to equip youth with skills in producing bio-fertilizer as a  climate action solution to bring Ecosystems-based Adaptation (EBA) to scale as they serve the community as well  as leverage on it as an income & wealth creating opportunity both for the youth and the agro-value chain actors.  The training was done in a day. Three youth undertook the training and equipped to train others while also  producing the biofertilizer to serve the community. The training was conducted by Mohammad Chapa of chamraq  fertilizer and Biogas Company a local bio-fertilizer dealer and trainer.  

Program of training  

The training covered both the theoretical and practical aspects of biofertilizer production using locally available  materials and components. 

During the training, the volunteers were made to understand that there are many benefits to using this safe and relatively inexpensive product. It produces a healthier crop and promotes subsistence farming. Biofertilizers are an  environmentally friendly substitute for harmful chemical fertilizers. They transform organic matter into nutrients  that can be used to make plants healthy and productive. They have a low production cost because they make use  of leftover vegetables, cow dungs, poultry waste and easily obtained organic materials such as rice husks, bamboo,  and vegetables that can be found in even the most remote areas. 

IMPORTANCE OF BIO-FERTILIZERS 

1. They are means of fixing nutrient availability in the soil. Generally, nitrogen deficiencies. 2. Since bio fertilizers are technically living due to the presence of microorganisms, they can symbiotically  associate with plant roots. Involved microorganisms could readily and safely convert complex organic  materials into simple compounds so that they are easily taken up by the plants. The function of the  microorganisms is in long duration causing an improvement in the fertility of the soil. 
2. They increase crop yield by 20-30%, replaces chemical nitrogen and phosphorous by 30% and stimulates  plant growth. 
3. They help to provide protection against drought and some other soil-borne diseases. 5. They advance shoot and root growth of many crops. 
4. To produce a larger quantity of crops, bio-fertilizers with the ability of nitrogen fixation and phosphorous  solubilizing would lead to the greatest possible effect. 
5. They help to promote healthy soil, leading to greater farming sustainability.  
6. They are cost effective
7. They reduce the risk of plant diseases 
8. They do not cause any type of pollution as they are eco-friendly 
9. They reduce the risk of plant diseases 
10. They do not cause any type of pollution as they are eco-friendly.

Conclusion 

This training afforded the volunteerism actors the opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills that would improve us as individuals,  retooled our skills and provide an avenue to improve our livelihood as well as that of other youths, farmers and  the society at large. The changing climate has opened our eyes to see that Environmental stresses are becoming a  major problem and as a detrimental consequence of the effect, productivity of crops is declining at an  unprecedented rate. Our too much dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to quench the huge demand  of food by growing populations has encouraged the industries to produce life-threatening chemicals as a form of pesticides or fertilizers which are not ecosystem-based adaptation friendly. These chemicals are not only hazardous  for human consumption but also severely affect eco- logical balance in the environment. In this adverse situation,  biofertilizer are a potent alternative that not only can feed the emerging population but also can save the  agriculture from the severity of various environmental stresses. It is therefore, required to realize the various  important and beneficial aspects of biofertilizers and implementation of its application in modern agriculture and  value addition. Although biofertilizers possess a great potential to enhance the productivity of agricultural lands  tremendously, the integrated approach to determine the most favorable plant microorganism interaction is the  most crucial factor that results the augmentation in productivity. This biofertilizer training provide an opportunity  for socio-professional reorientation and economic and financial achievement for the youths in Nigeria. The team  appreciated and is ready to execute the skills acquired during this training. The development of bio-fertilizers will  help farmers replace chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers. This biofertilizer will be used to improve soil  structure and water retention capacity. This bio-fertilizer will help nurture the soils as well as reduce the  chemicalized inputs which alters soil functioning as well as contributes to unsafe food. These actions are crucial  as they will help to drive the implementation of Nigeria’s climate commitments – i.e. its NDCs – but in a novel way  that brings in youth as solutions providers and unlocking income opportunities for them. This will also  simultaneously drive the optimal implementation of critical complementary policies – including the PFI and the  biofertilizer standard...read the full report from the attached document to see more details and next course of action.

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