BY VICTOR NWEGEDE
An Non-Governmental Organisation known as the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria Ebonyi State Chapter, Tuesday in Abakaliki embarked on awareness campaign to promote organic agriculture system following its amazing health benefits to human beings and their environment.
Speaking during the event, the State Coordinator of the Association, Mr Ezekiel Igboji said the awareness on organic agriculture was low and still at its infancy in Ebonyi.
Igboji said that organic agriculture practice would save lives and the environment, if integrity and standards were applicable.
He described organic as food produced by methods complying with the standards of organic farming, saying that the term organic was used only when it comes to the certification of a product.
The coordinator said that the association would partner with the media and export promotion council to promote organic agriculture practice in Ebonyi State.
He said that the association has concluded plans to train extension agents of the ministry of agriculture and farmer associations on organic agricultural principles, practices and entrepreneurship.
According to him, the training and practice were criteria for exports as far as a product passed through the processes and has to be certified.
He as well stated that farmer groups, cooperatives, through the state agriculture development programme at the hinterlands would be sensitised.
He condemned the claims by some people, saying they are organic farmers, but not keeping organic standards by way of maintaining integrity and however, assured that the gap would be bridged through the association's awareness campaign.
The event chaired by Senator Samuel Egwu, represented by Chief Austin Edeze was attended by eminent pioneers of integrated farming and humanitarians, including the Traditional Ruler of Nkaleke Echara Autonomous Community, HRH Eze S.N Oketa, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University Prof Francis Idike, his successor - Prof Chigozie Ogbu (represented), among others who were encouraged to stand in the front line for championing organic agriculture in Ebonyi State and Nigeria at large.
Also at the event, Former Minister and State PDP Chieftain - Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Aliyu Garba, Mr Bestman Chika Anoike, and other personalities were given Safe-Life Ambassador of Organic Agriculture Personality of the Year Award 2021 as part of encouraging them to stand in the front line for championing the course of the association.
