Scientists Blame Lack of Investment in Ecological Agriculture

Scientist Ernest Orbee expressed dismay at the lack of financial investment in unexplored land for the development of ecological organic farming.

West Africa’s champion of organic farming and agroecology, Orby said during a virtual presentation in Abuja:
In Agenda for the Transformation of Ecological Organic Agriculture in Africa: Practical Options, he attributes the cause of development to the absence of coherent cross-cutting policies and legal frameworks.

“This is necessary because it is production systems that keep soils, ecosystems and people healthy, and we depend on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions. rice field.

He explained that organic farmland has increased by 119,000 hectares since 2015, said agroecology is based on the application of concepts and principles, and noted the growing local and global demand for healthy food. pointed out.

“Consumers are concerned about safe food and environmentally friendly production practices, while we are in close proximity to major ecological and organic agriculture (EOA) markets in Europe and the Middle East. an increase in the incidence of malnutrition and an increase in the urban middle class.”

Orby further regrets that Member States have not adhered to the funding commitments of the Maputo and Malabo Declarations, while also pointing out that the agricultural sector has not been mainstreamed into national development policies and food and nutrition security. said to be a major limitation.

“We are overly dependent on foreign funding and have no room for sustainability. The absence of standards reduces the level of competitiveness of African products in domestic and international markets. Very perishable.”

Scientists therefore believe that the transformation of organic agriculture in Africa should be based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17 and the African Union Agenda 2063. claimed.

But the challenge has always been execution, and “if we are to move forward on the continent, we must move from rhetoric to action. Unfortunately, while African countries agree to various treaties, protocols and standards, , is lacking to execute.”