The Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN), in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation, has called on federal and state governments to develop a National Agroecology Strategy to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Mr Ikenna Ofoegbu, Project Coordinator, Heinrich Boll Foundation, made the call at the National stakeholders workshop on Organic and Agroecology farming in Nigeria on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Abuja.
Ofoegbu said that it was part of the recommendations of the workshop held in June.
Agroecology is a sustainable farming practice that works with nature. It is the application of ecological concepts and principles to farming.
Ofoegbu said that the national agroecology strategy sought to formulate and implement a comprehensive strategy that aligned with food security goals and coordinate efforts across various sectors to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
He said that other recommendations included increased funding for agroecology initiatives, designating specific areas for organic farming and protecting them from industrial pollution and conventional practices.
Others were funding of training programmes to educate farmers in agroecological practices, organic farming and sustainable agricultural techniques.
The stakeholders called on federal and state legislatures to enact supportive legislations for agroecology.
They called for governments and the private sector to provide low -interest loans and incentives for organic farming methods.
The coalition urged farmers associations and cooperatives to adopt agroecological practices and facilitate market access for organic products among others.
By Doris Esa
