Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative in Nigeria: Report of the Pilot in 2012 

1. 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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2. 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. Pillars of the EOA Initiative
1. 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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7. 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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8. 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 development
Pillar 6: Institutional Capacity Development Participatory Ecological Land
Use Management PELUM,
Kenya

9. 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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10. Implementation of EOA in Nigeria
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Pillar Coordinating Team
Country Project Coordinator Dr. Olugbenga O.
AdeOluwa
Pillar 1: Research, Training and Extension Dr. Timothy Olabiyi
Pillar 2: Information and Communication Prof. Nkiru T. Meludu
Pillar 3: Value Chain and Market
development
Mr B. T. Akinrinola
Pillar 4 : Networking and Partnerships: Prof. V.I.O. Olowe

11. Pillar 1 expected outputs in Nigeria
Specific 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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12. 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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13. 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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14. 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

15. 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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16. 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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17. 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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21. 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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