The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has advised rice farmers and processors in Ebonyi to adopt organic agricultural practices in order to improve the quality of their output.
The call was made by Dr Ezra Yakusak, Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, on Thursday in Abakaliki during a sensitization session for rice growers and processors in Ebonyi.
Mr Emmanuel Unanam, Coordinator of NEPC in the state, represented Yakusak, who stated that the workshop was in cooperation with the Organic Agricultural Practitioners of Nigeria.
According to the CEO of the council, the workshop aims to increase the capacity of rice farmers and processors in Ebonyi to implement quality standards in their production.
“This will ensure that their produce compete favourably, globally.
“Organic agriculture is becoming increasingly important in the agricultural sector of several countries irrespective of their developmental stages.
“Consumer demand for organically produced food provides new market opportunities for farmers and businesses around the world,” he said.
He noted that basic intelligence is needed to fully understand the magnitude and potential of the organic sector as the workshop aims at achieving such.
Mr Emeka.Ogazi, a Representative of the organic agricultural practitioners of Nigeria, commended the NEPC for organising the workshop and urged participants to propagate the message of organic agriculture.
“Our natural produce is being rejected by those who encourage us to practice inorganic agriculture.
“We should therefore propagate the message that organic agriculture enhannces soil nutrients and promotes the health of human beings, animals and plants.
“Organic agriculture enhances the eco system and agro-ecology which makes sensitisation forums such as this, apt,” he said.
Dr Ignatius Alaka, an Associate Professor of Food Science and Technology and Resource Person at the workshop, urged food processors to be mindful of the foods they processed.
“The high rate of genetic diseases can be linked to some processed foods and this is due to the application of herbicides and pesticides on crops,” he said.
Mr Gabriel Odo, Program Manager of the Ebonyi Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), stated that the program will work with relevant agencies to ensure that farmers transition from inorganic to organic cultivation.
Mrs Rita Elu, a program member, promised to put her newfound knowledge to use in order to increase the quality of her farm produce.
NAN
