PATRICK ABANG Calabar –
In its quest to boost Nigerian Agro-comodity export through the promotion of organic farming practice, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Calabar Smart Office has organized a one day workshop on organic agriculture and certification for export.
The Workshop with the Theme: “Boosting Global Demand for Nigerian Agro products through Organic Certification” is geared towards ensuring food safety, and encouraging the production of high nutritional quality produce in both domestic and International market.
Declaring the workshop open in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River, The Chairman of Council, Hon Kingsley Egumi commended the NEPC for partnering with farmers in the LGA.
Hon. Egumi, who was represented by the Secretary of the Council, Mr Esoso Ana, said NEPC has met farmers’ expectations and the workshop on promoting organic agriculture is timely and should be taken seriously.
In her welcome remarks, The Chief Trade Promotion Officer (NEPC), Mrs Sylvia Adeneye, said the programme is a demonstration of the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing challenges facing Nigerian export of agricultural produce.
According to her, the programme is designed with the primary aim of helping small scale farmers, producer and exporters improve on their farming activities to achieve organic certification.
Mrs. Adeneye said organic farming is an integral farming system that strive sustainability, enhancement of the soil fertility and bio diversity, prohibiting the use of synthetic fertilizers.
According to her: “In Nigeria, awareness about organic farming is still very low and hence the need to create awareness because it is therefore essential for public and private sector, stakeholders to have a clear understanding of the organic system plan”
“Cross River State is blessed with a golden green economy of agro products such as cocoa, rice, cassava which can be harness for export globally. Emphasis has been place on organic agriculture and this create huge market opportunity for Organic products” she said.
Also, The Chairman of Cocoa Association of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, Mr Ejor Achu Bisong, who said the control methods and management system may be new, also urged the expoters of cocoa and palm produce services department to increase their support through these veritable instruments.
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He said: “We shall however at the end of this workshop be able to do a work plan that will enable us produce high nutritional produce in sufficient quantity for domestic and International market”
“The NEPC has lived to expectations over the years in partnering with us in all areas relevant to enhancing of quality produce for International market” he started
Highlight of the presentations by resource personnels include – export potentials of organic food items by Mr Egon Anani from NEPC Makurdi, USAID feed the future by Mrs Faith Omori, among others.
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