As part of efforts to create awareness on the adoption of organic agriculture by local farmers, stakeholders in the agro-ecological industry have called for the establishment of model farms to provide practical evidence to support agro-ecological adoption.
The stakeholders in a draft Agroecology Action Plan being developed for the sector in Nigeria, said through the model demonstration farms, convincing evidence would be provided for local farmers to appreciate and accept agro-ecological principles and techniques.
According to the draft document, the farm would have the additional goal of favorably helping to influence the general public’s attitude, perception, and behavior toward agro-ecology.
The document pointed out that the technology have been tested and proven to be resilient and efficient need to be carefully selected and promoted in order to achieve food security while maintaining a healthy soil and environment in the Nigeria agriculture sector.
“The important activities that would be required for this to happen include: need to catalogue proven agro-ecological practices in each agro-ecological zones; need to develop and carry out one agro-ecological project in each agro-ecological zone.
“The focus of research and innovation strategy is to use science and data to improve advocacy for agro-ecology transition, and to improve agro-ecology practices and techniques towards improved efficiencies of farming practices and outputs.
“Because agro-ecology is transdisciplinary, with different definitions, scope, principles, and practices, care will be needed in the selection and promotion of relevant practices within each ecological zone.
The document also revealed that stakeholders would introduce linkages with existing programmes/ policies intended to ensure that agro-ecological practices are adequately integrated into the national agricultural extension policies and programs.
“Capacity building will be aimed at improving the technical knowledge of local food producers, agricultural extension agents, and policymakers about agroecology concepts, principles, and objectives. Three main strategies will be used to build capacity.
“Raising awareness through the agriculture value chain, the goal is to achieve behavioral change within the agricultural value chain by creating a platform that promotes agro-ecological transition. It is intended to aid in the processing of the main message of the agro-ecological transition and to influence the attitudes and behaviors of key stakeholders toward a favorable reception and adoption of agro-ecology.
“There would be the need to educate practitioners and policymakers on the concepts and principles of agro-ecology. The goal is to provide relevant knowledge of agro-ecological practices to smallholder farmers, agriculture extension agents, agricultural NGOs, and policymakers.
“National and sub-national (State) agricultural sector policies will be required to recognize and incorporate agro-ecological practices towards improving climate resilience and sustainable agriculture. Important considerations are to be given to particularly women who are often marginalized in policy formulations, to ensure long-term viability,” the document revealed.
