A Professor of stored products entomology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Mercy Olayinka Oni, has advocated the use of plant-based insecticides as a safer, affordable and biodegradable solution for protecting stored agricultural products such as grains, beans and cereals from destructive pests as a direct alternative to synthetic insecticides.
Professor Oni, who said that synthetic insecticides are silently undermining food safety, environmental stability, and human health, disclosed this while delivering the 199th Inaugural Lecture of the University.
According to the scholar, many indigenous plants possess natural insecticidal properties capable of reducing post-harvest losses while preserving food quality and human health.
She stressed that the use of botanical insecticides could significantly support food security and sustainable agricultural practices, especially in developing countries.
Professor Oni further noted that the excessive dependence on synthetic pesticides and insecticides had contributed to environmental degradation and health concerns among farmers and consumers.
Speaking on the theme, “Eco-Friendly Innovations: Tapping into Plant-Derived Insecticides for Stored Products Pest Control,” the Professor of Stored Products Entomology raised concerns over the increasing dependence on synthetic insecticides in the management of storage pests, warning that the practice is creating a dangerous cycle of resistance, contamination, and ecological imbalance.
She explained that while synthetic insecticides have played a significant role in protecting stored agricultural produce over the years, “their continued and often indiscriminate use has led to reduced effectiveness as insect populations develop resistance.”
This, she noted, forces users to apply higher doses, thereby increasing chemical residues in food products and heightening health risks.
Professor Oni further highlighted the environmental and health dangers associated with synthetic insecticides, including “soil and water contamination, destruction of beneficial insects, and disruption of ecological balance.”
On human health, she cautioned that long-term exposure to pesticide residues in stored food could contribute to respiratory illnesses, hormonal disruption, neurological effects, and potential carcinogenic risks.
As a sustainable alternative, she strongly advocated the adoption of plant-derived insecticides, describing them as eco-friendly, biodegradable, and safer for both consumers and the environment.
She pointed to botanicals such as neem (Azadirachta indica), garlic, chilli pepper, eucalyptus, and pyrethrum as effective natural pest control agents with proven insecticidal properties.
According to her, these plant-based solutions not only reduce chemical dependency but also offer affordability and accessibility for farmers and storage managers, particularly in developing economies.
She stressed the need for increased research and integration of indigenous botanical knowledge into modern pest management systems to strengthen food security and reduce post-harvest losses.
The Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, commended the lecture as timely and insightful, noting that it aligns with the university’s ongoing commitment to advancing research-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture, food safety, and environmental protection.
Professor Oladiji, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Taiwo Amos, said the Inaugural Lecture series reinforces the institution’s role in promoting innovative academic discourse that addresses critical national and global challenges.
