The former Head of Agriculture Division at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ernest Aubee, has called on African leaders to encourage the implementation of ecological organic agriculture (EOA) treaties at national, regional, and continental levels.
Aubee made this call in Abuja during a presentation organized by Journalists Go Organic, where he disclosed that African countries do not lack good policies and plans, adding that the continent subscribes to various EOA treaties, protocols, and standards but lacks the commitment to implement them.
Organic agriculture is a production system that offers an alternative to more widespread, high input farming practices that use synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity, and cycles adapted to local conditions to ensure healthy production.
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Organic agriculture relies on crop rotation, animal manures, crop residues, green manures, and the biological control of pests and diseases that sustain the health of soils, ecosystems, and people.
The don noted that the transformation of EOA on the continent requires political commitment at all levels, and that there is a need to shift from rhetoric to action in order for organic farming to be more effective on the continent.
According to him, the various biennial review reports show that a good number of African countries have not achieved the Maputo and Malabo commitments on agriculture financing, while suggesting that special intervention funds for EOA should be established and that EOA research should receive increased funding from countries.
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“Practically, it will not be possible to eradicate conventional agricultural practices in a hurry. It is a well-established farming practice with huge private sector interest.
“However, we can all join hands together through a transitional arrangement to promote ecological organic agriculture in a coordinated and sustainable manner. Organic is life and we must support EOA mainstreaming in all facets of human development”, he added.
