Experts in organic agriculture have urged stakeholders in Nigeria and West Africa to harness the significant opportunities available in organic agricultural produce and products.
This call was made during a two-day conference in Abuja, themed “Development of a Harmonized Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Standard for West Africa.”
However, Jude Obi, President, Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria, emphasized the need for the West African region to tap into the substantial global funds allocated for organic agriculture.
He stated that developing the organic agriculture sector could address food security challenges and boost foreign exchange earnings, thus alleviating economic pressures in the region.
Obi expressed concern that West Africa has barely begun to exploit its potential in the organic agriculture trade. “The West Africa organic agriculture landscape is evolving, but the opportunity is massive. The global market for organic agriculture is vast, and we are not even scratching the surface,” he said.
Obi highlighted the importance of expanding organic agriculture to improve food security and increase foreign exchange earnings.
The conference aimed to root organic agriculture in the region by establishing a protocol for traceability through a participatory guarantee scheme (PGS).
However, this scheme is designed to enable small farmers to certify their produce affordably, thereby enhancing trade within the sub-region and ensuring premium prices for their products.
The Coordinator, Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative in West Africa, Oyewole Gbadamosi underscored the importance of organic agriculture in enhancing global trade and promoting exports.
He said “The conference was geared towards developing a regional standard for organic agriculture in West Africa, facilitating product movement across member states, and ensuring the quality of organic products through verification and certification processes.”
Dr. Kofi Emmanuel, Programme Officer of Rural Development and Land Governance at the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the need for harmonizing standards across member states to promote free trade.
He noted that while individual countries have standards, a unified approach is essential for broader market access.
Emmanuel also stressed the importance of capacity building, access to technology, and research to develop the sector further.
Emmanuel acknowledged that while organic agriculture alone might not feed the entire population of the region, it could significantly contribute to food security and soil health.
He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that includes preserving soil fertility and addressing various agricultural challenges.
However, the conference underscored the critical role of organic agriculture in boosting the economy, enhancing food security, and fostering sustainable development in West Africa.