By Anita Uzoagba
The Mandate Secretary, Agricultural and Rural Development Secretriat (ARDS), Mr Lawan Geidan, says organic agriculture and agroecology represent a paradigm shift towards sustainability, economic empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
The secretary, represented by Mr Bennett Ofili, Acting Director, Agric service, said this at the 2024 National Organic and Agroecology Business Summit (NOABS) on Friday in Abuja.
The 2-day event has as its theme ‘Towards Policies for Upscaling Organic Agroecological Businesses in Nigeria.’
Geidan said the summit represented a vital step towards shaping the country’s agricultural landscape.
He added that it promoted sustainability and ensuring a secure future where agriculture thrives in harmony with the environment.
Geidan noted that ARDS recognises this responsibility and remains committed to driving policies and initiatives that align with national goals and global standards.
“At ARDS, we view these approaches as key to achieving food security, protecting biodiversity, and empowering our rural communities.
“Our mission is centered on food production, rural infrastructure development, and the promotion of environmentalist practices.
“Organic agriculture and agroecology falls clearly within this mandate, and we have prioritised the integration of these principles into our core strategies and work plan,” he said.
Geidan noted that ARDS comes with fostering an enabling environment for sustainable agricultural practices while enhancing the livelihood of farmers and rural dwellers.
He added that the secretariat was actively fostering partnerships with local and international stakeholders, private sectors, NGOs, and research institutions.
“We are leveraging on these collaborations to secure funding, technical support, and shared expertise,” he said.
Geidan urged stakeholders present in the summit to embrace these sustainable practices and also contribute to building resilient food systems.
In his address, the National Coordinator, Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN), Prof. Olugbenga Adeoluwa, said that the opportunities within organic and agroecology are enormous.
According to him, there are challenges of farm security but farming today has been transformed.
“Gone are the days were farming was only restricted to the interior. Today we have what we now know as urban farming,” he said.
Adeoluwa noted that organic and agroecology sectors has lots of opportunities in Nigeria both in terms of food security, healthy living, improving systems and sustaining tradition.
Also speaking, Alhaji Sheriff Balogun, President, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), reiterated the need to recognise the transformative role of organic and agroecological practices in achieving sustainable agriculture.
Balogun noted that these practices not only ensured environmental sustainability, but also enhances food security, improve farmers’ livelihood, and promotes healthier communities.
According to him, the mission of FACAN is to empower farmers and commodity stakeholders by providing the tools, resources, and support necessary to adopt the practices.
”This practice will preserve environment while driving productivity and profitability,” he said.
He noted that the summit was an opportunity to share knowledge, address challenges, and celebrate the successes in advancing organic and agroecological practices in Nigeria.
