The Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Hamisu Sharabutu, says the council will continue to work with the private sector for agricultural innovations and economic growth.
Sharabutu said this at the Reporting Achievements of Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) in Nigeria to the government and National stakeholders on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that agriculture issues should be of national interest, where everybody should be a stakeholder.
“I want to remind us that those of us who are politicians should not only mention agriculture but become very serious about it .
“Whether at the local, state, federal and private level all stakeholders must come together and give our assistance and services.
“For those of us in the public service, we are supposed to extract from the private sector and individual as we can not do much if they do not come to our aid,” he said.
He urged the organisers to intensify efforts in the promotion of organic agriculture for the health of the nation and it’s habitats.
He said that organic agriculture principles education should be extended to all farmers whether small holder farmers or big time farmers.
“We cannot practice organic agriculture if we do not bring in some of the people from the states and the extension agents who sat at the level of the agricultural development program we have all over the place.
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“I pray that those representing government here will be able to take this message back to the government so that each organisation can give teeth, tongue and a helping hand to the growth of the agriculture sector,” he said.
Mrs Janet Igoh, Chairperson EOA Initiative in Nigeria, in her remarks disclosed that the FCT had graciously given them organic markets but they need these markets to become functional.
“We are extending our coasts so we can accommodate as many organic farmers as possible to grow more produce to be able to serve the huge available markets.
“We are united and will continue to be united as a nation by the special grace of God, and we are still united because we have food on our tables.
“If food is taken away, then you will want to wonder what we will do with ourselves.
“God has endowed us with large masses of arable land, plenty of sunshine and abundant human resources; our people are ready to work, all we need to do is to lend a helping hand to one another,” he said.
Dr Olugbenga AdeOluwa, Country Coordinator, EOA Initiative in Nigeria, said the EOA would continue to work with stakeholders through the National Organic Agriculture Business Summit (NOABS) to propagate healthy agriculture and economic growth.
He said that EOA will be exploring how to continue to enhance an enabling environment for domestic and export businesses in organic agriculture and agroecology sectors of Nigeria.
“We are also working towards policies for upscaling organic and agroecology businesses in Nigeria and increase production level of organic and agroecological produce and products in the country to contribute to food security and safety,” he said.