Agriculture
Harmonisation Of W/Africa Organic Agriculture Standards Will Enhance Regional Trade – Experts
Joel Ajayi
Organic Agriculture practice experts say harmonisation of its standards among the 15 ECOWAS members will enhance quality trade in certified produce and products in the region.
They gave the assurance at the closing day of the 6th West African Conference on Organic Agriculture with the Theme, ‘Feeding the World Without Poisoning’ at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The hybrid 4-day event monitored had participants from across the world rubbing minds over how to ensure healthy, sustainable agriculture practices.
They assured participants that the harmonisation of the standards is for the good of the health of the people of the member states and their environment.
Mr Ernest Aubee, Head of Agriculture, ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, and Chairman of Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Regional Steering Committee, said that the standards documents would be submitted to ECOWAS for ratification and approval.
“In West Africa, we have different standards in different countries, while some countries do not have any at all, so this harmonisation will protect the interests of both those who have and those who do not have”.
Aubee said that organic Agriculture is developing fast at the global level, however, the pace is still slow in West Africa compared to Eastern Africa, Europe and Australia.
“This harmonisation will accelerate organic agriculture development, regional growth of food, and security integration.
“We want to achieve food security and safety, so that our people do not only have enough to eat, but eat quality and nutritious food.
“Therefore, I encourage stakeholders to appreciate and key into these harmonised standards when approved, in the interest of the region”.
Mr Rene Emmenegger, Project Manager, of International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) stressed the importance of organic agriculture standards.
He said that the standardisation will not only improve development of organic agriculture in West Africa but also encourage export business.
He said that IFOAM offers a platform for organic standards setters to discuss standards and create synergies for standard development and harmonisation to also ease trade.
“Agriculture and certified organic farming without viable trade is not sustainable.
“It will bring diversity of produce, simplicity of the process, empowerment of farmers, and easy access to standardised produce and products in the region.
“It will also promote and increase supply of organic produce and products and stimulate the growth of the organic sector of the region”.
Dr Olugbenga AdeOluwa, Secretary, West Africa Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) cluster noted that political and financial support is needed for proper formulation and implementation of the standards.
AdeOluwa suggested an enactment of stand-alone EOA policies, strategies and frameworks that support the regional standard.
“These policies should give clear guidelines and full support to the production of organic inputs and products.
“The policies should have proper institutionalisation and inclusivity of all stakeholders and public-private partnerships.
“It must include a bottom-up approach in the policy implementation which offers farmers good opportunities to contribute to the process and ensure its success”.
Agriculture
Shaping youths’ perception of Agriculture through Agrovest reality TV show
Joel Ajayi
The Agrovest reality Television show initiative aims to influence and change the way young people think about agriculture, redirecting a positive mental attitude .
Reality TV shows are TV programs where ordinary people are filmed in real life situations rather than actors.
Shaping ,implies molding or forming a new perspective of Agriculture on the minds of youths will go a long way in bringing about a change of attitude among young people.
Dr Emmanuel Abuhson ,CEO Tremma Agro Limited and the initiator of the Agrovest reality Television show says Agrovest reality TV show seeks to challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about agriculture among young people and showcase the exciting and rewarding aspects of agriculture.
One thing that stands out for the show is the trend of making agriculture attractive to the youths while giving them a positive and constructive perception of agriculture .
Abuhson said this during a stakeholder meeting held in Abuja that the word Agrovest has been coined from two word meaning Agro from agriculture and vest from investment (Agrovest) .
37 boisterous young Nigerians would be selected from the 36 states and will be competing for a 60-day periods in a Agrovest reality TV show between the ages of 18 to 40.
He said that each of the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, will have one representative each. Which will make a total of 37 boisterous young Nigerians that will be competing in the
Agrovest reality TV show.
He said Agrovest is an edutainment TV reality show’s that its objective is to change the narrative in the agricultural sector.The show is a comprehensive agriculture training, advocacy and mentoring program delivered on an entertainment platform.
“These representatives from each state will showcase creative ways of exploring the agriculture industry, commercial insights and more .
“ The representative from each state will live and work together as a team on various agricultural chores that would be given to them during the competition.
“ This is where the commodities association comes in ,they will be training the participants on various agriculture commodities and will also form part of the judges to select who emerges the winner(s)as the case might be,” he said.
He also said that the selected participants will be required to complete all of these duties tasks over the course of the 60 days period and the winner will walk away with a N20 million cash reward and other consolation prizes that we will shortly disclose soon.
“ The idea is an effort to support our efforts in the food sector, innovation, and food security narratives across the country, shifting old viewpoints and making agriculture really appealing. Thereby gaining youth participation in agriculture,” he added.
“ This is in alignment with the President’s vision to ensure food security and the food crisis we have in all over the world.
“ I commend the support and commitment of the stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture and all our partners who are working day and night to make this project a reality.
The Presidents of various commodities including soursop, bamboos ,sesame were present at the first stakeholders meeting held in Abuja.
The Office of Senior Special Assistant
to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation ( HAPA) are in Collaboration with AgroVest TV Reality show.
Others partners are the Ministry of Agriculture, commodity association and other agriculture stakeholders across the country and globally.
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