Abuja: Stakeholders in Nigeria’s organic and agroecology sector have urged stronger policy backing to promote sustainable and chemical-free agriculture across the country. They made the call at the 2025 National Organic and Agroecology Business Summit on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, organised by the Organic and Agroecology Initiative of Nigeria (ORAIN), brought together agencies, farmers, researchers, and private actors to explore opportunities in organic production and marketing. Alhaji Abubakar Gotomo, ORAIN Chairman, Board of Trustees, said the coalition was formed to promote eco-friendly farming and tackle soil degradation from excessive chemical use. Gotomo emphasized the need for farmers and government to embrace organic practices, commending government ministries for supporting these initiatives by reducing subsidies on chemical fertilisers.
Mr William Ekpe, representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, remarked on the summit’s timeliness for promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria. He stressed the urgency of adopting organic and agroecological systems amid challenges in food security and environmental sustainability. Ekpe highlighted the ministry’s commitment to integrating these principles into national agricultural policies and collaborating with various stakeholders to strengthen policy frameworks and stakeholder capacity.
Prof. Olugbenga Adeoluwa, ORAIN National Coordinator, noted that the annual summit provides a platform for collaboration among stakeholders in the organic and agroecology value chain. Adeoluwa pointed out the summit’s multidisciplinary approach, which underscores organic farming’s relevance to food safety, health, and environmental sustainability. He highlighted the focus on scaling up market platforms for organic produce to boost local and export trade.
The summit also featured an exhibition of organic agricultural products and innovations by farmers and agripreneurs. The National Organic and Agroecology Business Summit, rotating among major cities, remains Nigeria’s leading platform for advancing sustainable agriculture and green enterprise.