NAN-AE-7
Opportunities
BY Ebere Agozie
Abuja, July 19, 2017 (NAN) Dr Olugbenga Adeoluwa, the Country Coordinator, Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Nigeria says “Organic Agriculture Business’’ will unbundle entrepreneurial opportunities in the country.
Adeoluwa said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
NAN reports that 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.
He urged all stakeholders to take advantage of the several market opportunities by investing in inputs supply, production, processing and packaging of organic products and produce.
According to the country coordinator, Organic Agriculture Business cuts across agriculture, education, trade, health and research, hotels and supermarkets.
Adeoluwa said that engaging youths in organic agriculture could also help address food insecurity and contribute to improving the livelihoods of the stakeholders in the organic agriculture value chain.
He urged Nigerians to focus on organic farming in order to have a healthy and wealthy nation.
“We are what we eat; this is why the (EOA) Initiative in Nigeria is using every available opportunity to support and promote organic agriculture to make sure that the health of Nigerians and its environment are safe.’’
Adeoluwa said that this was why the initiative was asking all stakeholders to support the draft document of the Nigeria Organic Agriculture Bill.
The country coordinator said that the bill if passed into law would assist the development of organic agriculture in the country, adding that all tiers of governments in Nigeria should mainstream organic agriculture their agricultural activities.
“There is the need for the development and implementation of appropriate policies to support the organic agriculture sector of the Nigerian economy,’’ he said.
He also called on ‘‘international and local development partners and donours in Nigeria to increase support to the organic agriculture sector to support the decision of the African Union’s Heads of States and Government’s decision on organic farming’’.
“There is also the need to tap into the benefits of organic agriculture farming systems to ensure food security and job opportunities for the youth in order to contribute to sustainable national development.
“Youths engaged in organic agriculture can also help address food insecurity and contribute to improving the livelihoods of the stakeholders in the organic agriculture value chain.” (NAN)
EPA/MOL/EEE
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Ese E. Ekama