Organic Pest Control and Soil Health Manual

Smallholder farmers, particularly women, produce over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s food. Still, their health, livelihood, and productivity are increasingly threatened by the widespread use of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). These chemicals harm human health, degrade soil fertility, pollute water, kill beneficial insects, and even limit export opportunities due to residues in food. Weak regulation in Nigeria has worsened the problem, putting both people and the environment at risk.

This manual responds to the urgent need for safer and sustainable farming by promoting organic and agroecological practices. It aims to equip farmers, particularly women, with practical, low-cost methods for pest management that restore biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce reliance on toxic chemicals. Drawing on indigenous knowledge and sustainable techniques, it helps farmers build resilience to climate change while preserving traditional wisdom.

Adopting organic pest control is not only vital for healthier food and stronger local economies but also key to reclaiming our food systems and securing a healthier, more prosperous future for Nigeria. The manual presents hands-on step-by-step approaches to soil and water management, specific organic pest and weed control methods, crop rotation and intercropping, with guides on crop combination, how to prepare various organic pesticides, and organic fertilizers using local natural materials, and how to make compost. It also offers bonus insight on preservation and storage systems for specific crops.

This manual was developed by the Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN).