In a bold effort to tackle food insecurity and promote eco-friendly agriculture, Favour John, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the Federal Capital Territory, has trained 50 women and youth from Wassa Community and the Wassa IDP Camp on sustainable and organic farming practices.  The three-day community impact project, themed “Green Futures: Sustainable Agriculture for Improved Livelihood and Climate Action,” was implemented in partnership with the Heinrich Böll Stiftung (HBS) Abuja, Be The Help Foundation (BHF Agroforestry Farms), and the Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN).  Held from October 24–26, 2025, at the Wassa Community Palace Compound, the project empowered participants with practical skills in organic farming, pesticide-free crop production, and climate-smart agricultural methods, while also addressing behavioral change towards safer, healthier, and more sustainable food systems.  Day 1: Raising Awarenes...

Imo State, a tropical region in southeastern Nigeria, is known for its abundant water bodies. From the famous Imo River to Otammiri, Onu Ukwu in Owerri North, Njaba River, Orashi River, and Oguta Lake, these natural blessings have long set the state apart from neighboring Enugu and Anambra, where access to water can be as difficult as climbing onto a camel’s back without help. For years, these rivers and streams have been the lifeline of farmers in Imo State. Many cultivate their farmlands near these water sources, ensuring they can grow crops in and out of season. Unlike their counterparts who rely solely on rainfall, these riverside farmers enjoy year-round farming. Corn, a crop typically associated with the rainy season, thrives even in the dry season, thanks to the consistent water supply. The farmers, a mix of full-time agriculturalists, retirees, and pensioners, depend entirely on their harvests for survival. Some specialize in growing lush, green curry leaves, which th...

  Imagine a world where no one goes to bed hungry. A world where food is abundant, affordable, and accessible to all.  That’s exactly what the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2 Zero Hunger, aims to achieve.  But here’s the big question: Is it possible to achieve this without everyone going back to farming? We hear it all the time: "Go back to agriculture!" It makes sense, food comes from farms, right?  But let’s be honest, not everyone is cut out to be a farmer. Not everyone enjoys digging the soil or waking up before dawn to tend to crops.  And with urbanization and modernization, many people simply don’t have the space, time, or interest to farm. So, does that mean we have no hope of ending hunger if we don’t all become farmers?  Not at all. There are several ways we can contribute to food security without necessarily picking up a hoe or planting maize in our backyard. 1. Reducing Food Waste:  Did you know that about one-third of all foo...