By Stella Okpalaeze
The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting organic agriculture and sustainable farming practices to enhance food security and stimulate economic growth.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Odoemena, gave the assurance during a strategy meeting with the leadership of the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN), Anambra State Chapter, and other stakeholders in Awka on July 23.
Odoemena said the state government would continue to collaborate with credible organisations to transform agriculture into a key driver of economic development through innovation, increased productivity and sustainable value chains.
He identified the ministry’s priorities as strengthening agricultural value chains through structured farmers’ markets, revitalising the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) to improve extension services, and promoting data driven planning to enhance productivity and policy implementation.
The commissioner also stressed the importance of agricultural insurance in protecting farmers’ investments and mitigating production risks, adding that the ministry would provide office space for NOAN to deepen institutional collaboration.
Earlier, the leadership of NOAN presented an overview of its activities in the state, highlighting initiatives in research, public awareness, farmer capacity building and the promotion of organic agriculture across production, processing, certification, advocacy and market development.
The association also disclosed that it had secured approval from Nnamdi Azikiwe University to establish an Institute of Agro Ecology, which it said would serve as a centre for research, innovation, training and technology development to strengthen the organic agriculture value chain.
According to NOAN, the institute is developing an electricity free charcoal cooling system to preserve harvested produce and reduce post harvest losses. It added that research is also underway on indigenous organic crop production, alongside plans to establish a knowledge sharing platform for farmers.
The meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to stronger collaboration and practical initiatives aimed at positioning Anambra as a leading hub for sustainable and organic agriculture in Nigeria.
Stella Okpalaeze is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
