Participants at the 2020 National Organic Agriculture Business Summit
Some Organic Agriculture experts have called on the Federal Government and private sectors to have a proper policy that will regulate the use of the word `organic’ in farming to avoid adulteration.
The experts made the call at the closing ceremony of the 2020 National Organic Agriculture Business Summit in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state with the theme, “Harnessing the Potential of Organic Agriculture for National Development’’.
Dr Olugbenga AdeOluwa, the National Coordinator, Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Nigeria said there is the need to have a proper policy in Nigeria, specifically for organic agriculture in a holistic manner.
“The use of the word ‘organic’ has to be regulated in the country, in order to prevent adulteration of organic produce and products.
“It is until Nigeria has a specific policy in Organic Agriculture that the country can be said to be serious with organic agriculture’’.
Prof. Raymond Auerbach of Nelson Mandela University, South Africa said that Africa can be a big hub for organic agriculture if all stakeholders with national influence in the system play their roles.
He said that these roles would go a long way to support the decision of governments to incorporate organic agriculture into every facet of life in Africa.
He said that people are becoming conscious of their health and that organic products are contributing daily to both human and community health.
“It is therefore time for Africa to consider organic farming as an important aspect of agriculture,’’ he advised.
Louise Luttikholt, the Executive Director, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) said that the organic sector is growing and the world needs more of it.
“There is too much at stake and it makes sense to support organic agriculture, as it contributes in many ways to the welfare of society and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’’.
Luttikholt said that organic agriculture practice is an infant economic sector with strong consumer demand and market potential.
“Recognising this, governments should support all initiated policies, programmes and guidelines in the organic sector.
“The role of the government in the organic sector should primarily be that of an enabler, and only secondarily, that of a controller.
“In other words, setting up a government organic regulation without supporting measures to promote organic development is like putting the cart before the horse,’’ she warned.
The virtual summit monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had both physical and virtual participants from across African and European countries.
Highlight of the closing ceremony was the awards to some outstanding members of the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners in Nigeria.
The awards recipients are Mrs Ebere Agozie of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the Organic Advocacy/Media Personality of the year.
Others are Mrs Udeme Udoya, the Organic Farmer/ Processor of the year and Akwa Ibom, the Organic State Government of the year.
