In a bold call for agricultural transformation, former Minister of State for Health, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, has urged the Federal Government, state authorities, and tertiary institutions to prioritize moringa farming for its vast economic and health benefits.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, Hagher emphasized that moringa could serve as a game-changer in revenue generation, job creation, and public health improvement.
The media briefing followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Moringa Productions, Marketers and Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, Eden Moringa Productions and Marketers Limited, the Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation, and Agreco Shift Limited. As the Grand Patron of the Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation, Hagher urged universities and polytechnics to incorporate moringa farming into their academic and business models to boost their financial sustainability.
“Moringa is a miracle plant,”Hagher declared. “It has been scientifically proven to cure numerous ailments. Nigeria’s health policy must shift towards natural remedies rather than reliance on chemical medicines.” He underscored that making moringa widely available would lead to a healthier population, stressing that “planting moringa is the cheapest path to premium health.”
Beyond its medicinal value, Hagher also decried the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on Nigerian farmlands. He called for a transition to organic alternatives, particularly moringa-based fertilizers, to ensure soil fertility and long-term agricultural sustainability. “Chemical fertilizers degrade our soil and create dependency on foreign manufacturers,” he warned. “The Federal Government must lead the way in producing organic moringa fertilizers to guarantee food security. One moringa seed holds more power than an AK-47 gun.”
Chairman and CEO of Moringa Productions, Marketers and Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ashimashiga Akoloaga, echoed these sentiments, stating that the MoU aims to mobilize young Nigerians into moringa farming. He highlighted the economic opportunities in producing moringa-derived products that meet global standards, citing past rejections of Nigerian agricultural exports due to excessive chemical content.
Akoloaga urged Nigerian farmers to adopt organic fertilizers derived from moringa to enhance crop yields and soil nourishment. He also encouraged farmer cooperatives and agribusiness stakeholders to collaborate with the association for nationwide and international distribution of E-Moringa fertilizers and related products.
President of the Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation, Chris Aba, reinforced the numerous benefits of moringa and called on investors to seize the opportunity to revolutionize Nigeria’s agriculture sector. “Moringa farming is not just an economic venture; it is a national development strategy,” he affirmed.
With strong backing from key stakeholders, the push for moringa farming in Nigeria is gaining momentum, offering a promising path toward economic resilience, improved public health, and sustainable agricultural practices.