From Our Correspondent
Agricultural stakeholders have described organic agriculture as a paradigm shift towards sustainability, economic empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
TheNewsZenith reports that the Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) gave this assertion at the 2024 National Organic and Agroecology Business Summit (NOABS) on Friday in Abuja.
In a message to the summit, the Mandate Secretary of ARDS, Mr Lawan Geidan, said the summit represented a vital step towards shaping the country’s agricultural landscape.
Mr Bennett Ofili, Acting Director of Agriculture Service, represented Geidan at the event.
TheNewsZenith reports that the three of the two-day event is: “Towards Policies for Upscaling Organic Agroecological Businesses in Nigeria”.
Geidam opined that organic agriculture promotes sustainability and ensures a secure future where agriculture thrives in harmony with the environment.
According to him, ARDS recognises this responsibility and remains committed to driving policies and initiatives that align with national goals and global standards.
“At ARDS, we view these approaches as key to achieving food security, protecting biodiversity, and empowering our rural communities.
“Our mission is centred on food production, rural infrastructure development and the promotion of environmentalist practices.
“Organic agriculture and agroecology fall within this mandate. We have prioritised the integration of these principles into our core strategies and work plan,” Geidam said.
He said ARDS was fostering an enabling environment for sustainable agricultural practices. It enhances the livelihood of farmers and rural dwellers.
The Mandate Secretary added that the secretariat was actively fostering partnerships with local and international stakeholders, private sectors, NGOs, and research institutions.
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Also speaking, the National Coordinator of Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN), Prof. Olugbenga Adeoluwa, highlighted the opportunities inherent in organic and agroecology.
According to Adeoluwa, there are challenges to farm security but farming today has shifted.
“Gone are the days when farming was restricted to rural areas. Today we have what we now know as urban farming,” he said.
He said there are many opportunities in organic and agroecology farming in Nigeria.
“This is, especially, in terms of food security, healthy living, improving systems and sustaining tradition.
In his contribution, the President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Alhaji Sheriff Balogun, reiterated the need to recognise the transformative role of organic practices.
Balogun said organic and agroecological practices are essential to achieving sustainable agriculture.
“These practices are not only to ensure environmental sustainability.
“They also enhance food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods and promote healthier communities,” TheNewsZenith quotes Balogun as saying.
The FACAN mission, he noted, is to empower farmers and commodity stakeholders. This is by providing the tools, resources and support necessary to adopt the organic practices.
“This practice will preserve the environment while driving productivity and profitability,” he said.
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