Summit recommends youth-driven agric policy

A communiqué issued at the end of the just concluded 2017 National Organic Agriculture Business summit in Akwa, Anambra State, has recommended significant roles for the Nigerian youth in the development of organic agriculture.


The summit was organised by the Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) initiative in Nigeria under the theme of “Global Organic Agriculture Development: Unbundling Abundant Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Nigerian Youths.”

The summit which had about 120 participants in attendance observed that such an approach would ensure that young people are exposed to exciting job opportunities and enable them to contribute their quota to sustainable national development as well as addressing food insecurity. 

The communiqué urged all tiers of government to mainstream organic agriculture into their agricultural activities with appropriate support. “The stakeholders of the organic agriculture sector in Nigeria should take advantage of several market opportunities for organic produce and products, of which BioFach is a good example.

“The National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) should mainstream organic agriculture education into their current curricula for agricultural programmes,’’ the communiqué read in part.

Earlier, Prof. Victor Olowe, President of the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN), said the global market of organic products stands at $80 billion with guaranteed integrity and quality organic agriculture produce.

“This year’s summit is very relevant to our current situation in the country: and this is the most auspicious time to really engage our youths in organic agriculture in order to help them channel their energy into more productive and rewarding ventures.


“Organic agriculture has been adjudged the fastest growing sector in agriculture in the world and presently the global market of organic products stands at $80 billion so Nigerians must not be left out,’’ he said.

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