Agric institutions’ curricula lack organic component, sufficient skilled manpower – experts

Some Organic Agriculture experts say the current agriculture curricula being used in Nigeria’s institutions lack the component of organic agriculture practice and sufficient skilled manpower.

The experts said this at the ongoing workshop on “Understanding Organic Agriculture for Curriculum Development’’ organised by Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

Dr Olugbenga AdeOluwa, the Country Coordinator of EOA Initiative said that organic agriculture “is one of the easily misconstrued aspects of agriculture.’’

“Sustainability of environmental resources and safety are important components of organic agriculture which are lacking in conventional agriculture practice currently taught in our institutions.

“There is a difference between organic agriculture and organic chemistry, therefore proper understanding of organic agriculture is needed for effective curriculum development.’’

AdeOluwa, who is also a lecturer at the University of Ibadan said the curricula must address the issue of the four principles of organic agriculture.

“These include the `Principle of Health’ to sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal and human as one and indivisible.

“Principle of Ecology’ that is be based on and working with living ecological systems and cycles emulate them and help sustain them.

“The Principle of Fairness’ built upon relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.

“The Principle of Care which should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and wellbeing of current and future generations and the environment,’’ AdeOluwa said.

Dr Rasak Olajide, a lecturer with University of Ibadan thanked the EOA for seeing the need to introduce and mainstream organic agriculture content into manpower training at institutions not only in Nigeria, but across the African continent.

Olajide agreed that inadequate knowledge and trained manpower in organic agriculture had prevented its content inclusion in the curricula, especially in Nigeria.

“The direct and immediate consequence of this is dearth of manpower in organic agriculture in our training institutions such as polytechnics and universities.

“Few that are handy are products of short courses in aspects of organic agriculture or those that did related research in using knowledge generated from research to teach organic agriculture lessons.

“The onus lies on our educational institutions to provide a critical mass of professionals to serve these enterprises.’’

Mr Oyewole Gbadamosi, the Project Manager of EOA Initiative said the overall goal of the initiative was to mainstream Ecological Organic Agriculture into national agricultural production systems, policies and practices by 2025.

Gbadamosi said that this was done to improve agricultural productivity, food security, access to markets and sustainable development.

“Our vision is to have a vibrant Ecological Organic System for Enhanced Food Security and Sustainable Development in Africa.

“We also want to promote ecologically sound strategies and practices among diverse stakeholders in production, processing, and marketing through strategic actions and policy making to alleviate poverty, guarantee adequate and healthy food security, improve livelihoods and safeguard the environment.

“EOA is collaborating with the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN).

“And Organic Agriculture Projects in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria (OAPTIN), Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigeria (ADAN) to execute the mainstreaming of organic agriculture into the tertiary institution’s curriculum,” he said.

He said that EOA was also partnering with stakeholders to address the issue of lack of skilled manpower.

“We have established Farmers Resource Centres, produced over 23 information and communication materials.

“And the initiative has also successfully supported four masters and two PhD degree programmes,’’ Gbadamosi added.

Mr Ernest Aubee, the Head of Agriculture Division, ECOWAS commission called on all stakeholders to respond to the increasing demand for skilled personnel that could appropriately handle organic agriculture maters.

“Your aim at this workshop must be to see how best to mainstream organic agriculture into the school curriculum to encourage and promote its sustainability in the country.

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