By Stanley Onyekwere
As part of measures to ensure the safety of food that are consumed, the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), has sensitised farmers and extension agents in the nation’s capital, on the adoption of organic agricultural practices.
The ARDS organised the sensitisation workshop, through its department of agricultural services, aimed at raising the awareness of FCT populace, especially farmers on how they can integrate organic products that meet up with the required standards in their various agricultural vocations.
Declaring the workshop open yesterday in Gwagwalada, ARDS Acting Secretary, Mallam Ishaq Abubakar Sadeeq, said the Secretariat will continue to explore all available opportunities to reach out to various stakeholders such as cooperative groups, women in agriculture, youth as well as other relevant organisation towards not only promoting the practice but enhancing their access to organic products.
Sadeeq explained that organic agriculture is a practice which involves the use of natural materials which are of plant and animal origins for the production of food that are safe for consumption.
According to him, going forward, the Secretariat will intensify measures to increase awareness, provide technical support through extension agents, develop market infrastructure to enhance access to organic agricultural products.
He also added ARDS will strengthen existing synergy between producers, consumers marketers, exporters and NGO’s, increase the conduct of multi-dimensional trials on soil, crops organic fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides as well as increase access of registered organic farmers to subsidised inputs
The ARDS boss while reassuring FCT residents of the FCT Administration’s determination to ensure the safety of food that are consumed, adds “our ultimate desire is to make food our drugs, not making drugs our food”.
Similarly, in her welcome address, Director, Agric Services, Mrs. Ihekandu Francisca, said the FCT has joined the league of organic agricultural destinations, which many states in the Federation have adopted for their farmers.
She reiterated the organic agriculture is a healthy alternative to conventional farming with higher nutritional value, longer shelf life and high value for money.
On his part, Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mustapha Adamu Danze, commended the ARDS for the initiative, which will go a long way in boosting healthy productivity in the agriculture sector.
Represented by his Chief of Staff,Tanko Ibrahim, urged the participants to take advantage of the sensitisation to promote organic food production, which will improve food security and living standard in the Territory.
