Chief Audu Ogbe, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, says organic agriculture sector will complement Federal Government’s efforts to boost food production if properly developed.
Ogbe made this known during his key note address at the maiden edition of “National Organic Agriculture Business Summit’’ on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, it will also drive Federal Government’s diversification agenda and also improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
The summit with the theme; “Organic Agriculture Business for Sustainable National Development’’, had participants drawn from across different sectors, and NGOs within and outside the country.
The minister said that the summit was meant to provide a platform for interaction among stakeholders in the value chain of organic agriculture system in the country.
“Efforts are ongoing to make the sector a major GDP earner in the country and the ministry is providing an enabling environment for actors within the value chain of agriculture to do their business successfully.
“Government is paying greater attention to the provision of organic inputs, including organic fertilisers and bio-pesticides.’’
Ogbe said Nigeria had a greater potential in the production of cocoa (1.3 million ha), ginger, sesame, citrus (0.8million ha), cotton, fish, cattle, poultry, vegetable and other value chain crops which could tap into the world of agricultural trade.
“It is high time the country leveraged on the potential of organic farming and the Nigerian organic farmers through international acceptable standards target, a big share of the world organic trade.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Organic Agriculture Network is now called and known as the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria.
Prof. Victor Olowe, President, Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria said that the vision of the association was to improve the quality of urban and rural livelihoods through the adoption of organic agriculture in Nigeria.
“We must coordinate and facilitate the development of sustainable organic agriculture related activities in Nigeria.
“As well as to vigorously create and increase awareness of organic agriculture in Nigeria and enhance capacity building of stakeholders in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Dr Olugbenga Adeoluwa, the Country Project Coordinator, Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) initiative said that the summit would create awareness on the importance of organic farming.
“The overall goal is to mainstream ecological agriculture into National Agriculture Production Systems 2025.
“We must ensure vibrant ecological organic systems for enhanced food security and sustainable development in Africa,’’ he said.
Adeoluwa said that ecological sound strategies and practices among diversified stakeholders should be scaled up.
“This can be achieved through institutional capacity development, scientific innovations, market participation, public policies and programmes, outreach and communication, efficient coordination, networking and partnerships.’’
The occasion was attended by participants within Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and USA among others. (NAN)