NAN-AE-5
Campaign
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Jan. 30, 2017 (NAN) Olugbenga Adeoluwa, the Vice President, Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (AOAPN) has urged the Federal Government to embark on Organic Agriculture awareness campaign in the country.
Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity.
It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.
“Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people.
It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects.
Organic farming is a technique, which involves cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in natural ways.
This process involves the use of biological materials, avoiding synthetic substances to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance thereby minimizing pollution.
Adeoluwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the awareness should also be about the health, business and other benefits of organic agriculture.
He said that the Federal Government should encourage the establishment of media experts’ forum for organic agriculture advocacy and development in the country.
“Information communication hubs should be created in rural areas across the geopolitical zones of the country to promote organic agriculture business, Adeoluwa said.
He said that organic agriculture actors in the country must liaise and work with the CAADP Country teams to mainstream organic agriculture into its investment plans.
“ CAADP means Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, which is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all.’’
He said international and local development donors in Nigeria should increase support to the organic agriculture sector to implement the decision of the African Union heads of state and government decision on organic farming.
According to him, Nigerian organic agriculture bill should be tailored to address recommendations of the Abuja 2016 National Organic Agriculture Business Summit.
“And it should also encourage all tiers of government in Nigeria to mainstream organic agriculture into all their agricultural activities with appropriate support,’’ he said.
He said that stakeholders should be committed in supporting healthy and productive food and agriculture systems by sensitising the society about the multiple benefits of organic agriculture. (NAN) EPA/GOM/MO
============Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Morayo Omolade