By Lanre Omotosho
Nigerians have been enjoined to always take proper care of plants in order to prevent hunger and reduce poverty.
A lecturer in the Department of Plant Science, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, Dr. Ayoola Oluwajobi gave the advice in Ado Ekiti to commemorate this year’s International Day of Plant Health with the theme, “Plant Health, Safe Trade, Digital Technology”.
Dr. Oluwajobi emphasized that plants provide 80% food for mankind, 98% breathe in oxygen as well as taking away carbondioxide, hence the need for the proper care.
While noting that healthy plants produce food optimally, the don explained that proper watering and manure would enhance their growth.
He emphasized that indiscriminate dumping of waste, air, soil and water pollutions negatively affect the growth of plants, which would be detrimental to health of whoever consumes them.
The don stressed that heavy metal picked by plants from indiscriminate waste disposal, ate by roaming animals would automatically have health implications on human-beings who consume them.
Dr Oluwajobi, however, cautioned against inappropriate usage of agro chemicals, urging farmers to always follow manufacturers’ instructions for consumers not to pick residues from what they eat.
The United Nations, UN, had in 2022 set aside May 12 of every year as International Day of Plant Health to safeguard biodiversity and promote economic development.
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