NAN-AE-2
Legislation
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Feb. 17, 2017 (NAN) The Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (AOAPN) has called for the enactment of appropriate legislation that would guarantee the integrity and quality of organic agriculture produce in Nigeria.
Prof. Victor Olowe, the President of the association, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Olowe said that the law should ensure that organic agricultural practices followed established standards.
“This must include mainstreaming organic agriculture sector in all governmental agricultural inputs and credit guarantee facilities.”
He suggested that at least three per cent of the expected 10 per cent allocation to agriculture, based on the Maputo Declaration, should be set aside for organic agriculture development in the country.
NAN recalls that African Heads of State and Government endorsed the Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in Africa” in 2003, in which they committed themselves to the allocation of at least 10 per cent of their individual national budgets to agriculture and rural development.
He also said that hospitals should be encouraged to use of locally produced organic food inputs.
Olowe said that the association, as the umbrella body for organic agriculture stakeholders in the country, should be accorded recognition as a body that supports the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“The association coordinates stakeholders within the value chain of organic agriculture sub-sector in Nigeria to further the drive organic agriculture business development.
“We also facilitate organic agriculture actors in the country to liaise and work with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) country teams to mainstream organic agriculture into the CAADP investment plans.
CAADP, he noted, is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all, adding that Nigeria must tap into its benefits.
He urged stakeholders to support healthy and productive food and agriculture systems and sensitise the society about the multiple benefits of organic agriculture.
“The stakeholders should not only identify but also address major research priorities that will help make organic agriculture more productive, profitable and sustainable,’’ Olowe said. (NAN)
EPA/OIF/NKO
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(Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Nkechi Okoronkwo)
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