Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative in

Nigeria: Report of the Pilot in 2012 

Olugbenga O. AdeOluwa, Ph.D.

Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners in Nigeria (NOAN) / Department of Agronomy,

University of Ibadan

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Introduction of EOA Initiative concept Based on African Heads of States’ Decision

EX.CL/Dec.621 (XVII) on Organic Farming : Requested the African Union Commission and its New

Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) to:

Provide guidance for an African Union (AU)-led coalition of international partners on the establishment of an African organic farming platform

Provide guidance in the development of sustainable organic farming systems and improve seed quality;

CALLED UPON development partners to provide the necessary technical and financial support for the implementation of this Decision;

REQUESTED the Commission to report regularly on the implementation of this Decision.

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Introduction of EOA Initiative concept contd.

An inception workshop was organized in Thika, Kenya, from May 1-3, 2011 by the African Union Commission in response to the declaration of African Head of States decision on organic farming.

The event was attended by strategic stakeholders of organic agriculture in Africa.

Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) funded the inception workshop to prepare a roadmap and an initiative to implement the AU Decision.

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Definition of Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA)

Definition-Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.

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Goal, Vision and Mission of EOA Initiative Goal: The overall goal of the Action Plan is to

mainstream ecological agriculture into national agricultural production systems by 2020.

Vision: Vibrant Ecological Organic Systems for Enhanced Food Security and Sustainable Development in Africa.

Mission: To scale up ecologically sound strategies and practices among diversified stakeholders through institutional capacity development, scientific innovations, market participation, public policies and programs, outreach and communication, efficient, coordination, networking and partnerships.

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Pillars of the EOA Initiative1. Research, training and extension: This driver will conduct demand-

driven participatory, interdisciplinary, multi-cultural research that informs stakeholder training and offers innovative knowledge and skills to the community.

2. Information and communication: This will develop information and communication strategies to sensitize the stakeholders and the general public on the value and practices of EOA.

3.  Value chain and market development: This will increase the range of products and trade in ecological organic products from West Africa at domestic, Africa and export markets.

4.  Networking and partnership: This will strengthen synergies among stakeholders and beneficiaries to support EOA through networks and partnerships.

5.  Supportive policies and programmes: This will support the development and implementation of enabling policies and programmes.

6.  Institutional capacity development: This will establish, develop and support ecological organic agriculture institutions and expertise (human capacity) in Africa

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Coverage and coordination of the Initiative On a pilot basis the Initiative was implemented in six

countries namely Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia in Eastern Africa; Nigeria in West Africa; Zambia in South Africa.

The roll out phase was coordinated by PELUM-Kenya, on behalf of the EOA Africa Stakeholders and in consultation with Pillar Coordinators with funding by SIDA through Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.

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Pillars Coordinators in Pilot Phase

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Pillar Coordinating Organization

Pillar 1: Research, Training and Extension Biovision Africa Trust BvAT) , Kenya / Institute of Sustainable Development (ISD), Ethiopia

Pillar 2: Information and Communication Biovision Africa Trust BvAT) , Kenya

Pillar 3: Value Chain and Market development National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU)

Pillar 4 : Networking and Partnerships: Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement, Tanzania

Pillar 5: Policy and Programme developmentPillar 6: Institutional Capacity Development Participatory Ecological Land

Use Management PELUM, Kenya

Administration- Steering committee ( SC) and Budget

It is supported by a Steering of Committee (SC) and has a focus to smallholders,:

the Steering Committee is responsible for the initiatives on long term goals and objectives; initiate high-level coordination of EOA activities; explore ways of mainstreaming EOA with AUC’s agricultural policy; establishing partnership and resource mobilization at a high level.

A budget of € 555,255 (from SSNC) supported activities of the first four pillars from January to December 2012 in the 6 pilot countries

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Implementation of EOA in Nigeria

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Pillar Coordinating TeamCountry Project Coordinator Dr. Olugbenga O.

AdeOluwaPillar 1: Research, Training and Extension Dr. Timothy Olabiyi

Pillar 2: Information and Communication Prof. Nkiru T. MeluduPillar 3: Value Chain and Market development

Mr B. T. Akinrinola

Pillar 4 : Networking and Partnerships: Prof. V.I.O. Olowe

Pillar 1 expected outputs in NigeriaSpecific Objective 1 - Research: By November 2012, the 6

pilot countries complete, analyze and write up 2 studies to help identify needs and gaps in research agenda including recommendations for future research priorities from 2013 onwards, through:

A baseline study of EOA research projects undertaken (coveiing year 2001-2011) in a sample of educational, agricultural and research institutions of learning (colleges, polytechnics, universities) that showed studies done by gender, topics/issues covered, justification of the studies, key implications if any, and level of farmer focus.

A survey completed and written up to identify the main gaps and research needs (technical, economic, and social) as a basis for training farmers, particularly women farmers along the EOA value chains from 2013 onwards.

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Pillar 1 expected outputs in Nigeria contd.

Specific Objective 2 - Training: By November 2012, the 6 pilot countries completed reports on how to strengthen training in EOA through revised curricula and development of relevant educational materials through.

A desktop review of EOA curricula conducted to derive a matrix of common subjects and areas of specialization to be incorporated into training programmes of tertiary institutions (colleges, polytechnics, universities).

A stakeholders’ workshop held to discuss the matrix and identify gaps for strengthening EOA training in tertiary institutions.

Production (draft) of five training text/manuals availed in print to support training of EOA in tertiary institutions..

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Pillar 1 expected outputs in Nigeria contd.Specific Objective 3 - Extension: By November 2012, the pilot

countries should strengthen collaboration among various stakeholders (farmers, extension personnel, youth and policy makers) to promote EOA through:

Exchange visits made to enhance learning (awareness and knowledge) about benefits of EOA through showcase experiences and networking among the stakeholders (farmers, local development agents, experts and administrators, policy makers and researchers).

Workshops held with wide spectrum of youth (young leaders; young producers; producers’ organizations; youth programme formulators, youth development practitioners and decision-makers) to identify their level of involvement in EOA related activities, challenges they face, and discuss how they can be organized to effectively embrace EOA as a sustainable enterprise for employment EOA value chains.

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Pillar 2 expected output in Nigeria

An inventory of information and communication strategies and infrastructure used to promote EOA, farmers’ knowledge and literacy levels, key actors developed

Information and communication materials on technologies and practices on EOA developed and produced.

Networks and partnerships with different actors promoting EOA created.

Sensitization on information and communication strategies on EOA achieved.

Leaders of CBOs and extension agents trained on how to use EOA initiative’s information and communication strategies to promote EOA to different user groups

Pillar 3 expected outputs in Nigeria . An Inventory database is in place,

detailing all organic operators and trade statistics.

 Master trainers in Value chain development and marketing is trained.

 Farmer Groups/Associations supported and facilitated for collective marketing of organic products to the domestic, regional or export markets.

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Pillar 4 outputs /activities in Nigeria

Directory and database for EOA partners and networks in Nigeria established and linked to facilitate linkage and collaboration.

Civil Society Organizations, Community Based Organizations and other are aware of EOA initiative.

Policy and resource support for EOA heightened

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Summary of EOA Pilot Phase in Nigeria Improved demand driven research,

training and extension activities in EOA Improved communication of EOA

methodologies among trainers and extension agents

Market access and value addition for organic agriculture produce created

Improved networking and partnership among of EOA stakeholders

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Conclusion The EOA Initiative implementation

in the country will greatly contribute to food security and improvement in livelihood of all involved in the value chain.

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