Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative in Africa was borne following the decision by the Africa Heads
The Pillars of Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative
Vision
Vibrant Ecological Organic Systems for Enhanced Food Security and Sustainable Development in Africa.
Mission
To scale up ecologically sound strategies and practices among diversified stakeholders through institutional capacity development, scientific innovations, market participation, public policies and programs, outreach and communication, efficient, coordination, networking and partnerships.
Goal
The overall goal of the Action Plan is to mainstream ecological agriculture into national agricultural production systems by 2020.
Landmark achievements of the KCOA Project in Nigeria.
Training of Multipliers on Organic Agriculture
The KCOA Project has undertaken training of individuals with interest in organic agriculture to become Multipliers and Practitioners. A total of about 408 Multipliers have been trained in Capacity building Workshops, visited Agro ecological centers and organic Farms in locations including Taraba, Delta, Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Ogun State.
Networking of Organic Stakeholders
The KCOA project in Nigeria has established a National network of OA Value chain Actors and also of Multipliers which are linked to the KCOA continental digital network of Multipliers www.kcoa-Africa.org. This network enables Multipliers have access to the KCOA Database on validated knowledge resources in Organic Agriculture, promote exchanges across the African continent and other international stakeholders like FiBl etc
Organic Market
In a bid to promote market for organic agriculture products. The KCOA in Nigeria has organized Organic Weekend where organic farmers are able to exhibit and sell their products. This also encouraged network of the value chains (Consumers meeting with producers and processors Vis-a-vis)
Media Advocacy of Organic Agriculture
The KCOA Project has engaged in over 10 radio programs and Television in reputable radio stations such as 92.9 Federal Radio Corporation (FRCN) Radio Nigeria, Abuja, 105.5 Jordan Lens, Lagos, Nigeria, and ARCN TV and so on. These Radio and Television stations are reputable for wide coverage of millions of audience across the Nation. Advocacy through electronic, social media and hybrid workshops has led to engagements of the KCOA with stakeholders in Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Anambra, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Delta, Oyo, Ebonyi, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
Farmers’ Field School
In four locations; Lagos, Abia, Anambra and Akwa Ibom States, the KCOA Project established Farmers’ Field Schools where 30 Multipliers per locations were trained via an organically established demonstration. These farms were established following a scientific research article on Oragnic Agriculture Titled EFFECTS OF JATROPHA CURCAS LEAF EXTRACT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS L. MOENCH) INFECTED WITH CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS.
Creation of Knowledge Products
After a rigorous process of knowledge collection, sorting, validation and documentation in the KCOA database. The KCOA Project in Nigeria has created 5 Knowledge Products of 4 videos and a factsheet of selected and validated scientific knowledge relevant to organic agriculture.
Market Data Collection
The KCOA Project has consistently collected Market data on about 54 selected food items (Agricultural Products) from February 2022 – May 2023. Data were collected monthly from major markets in Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
Database of Organic Agriculture
The KCOA Project has effectively collated dozens of validated scientific and endogenous knowledge and reposed in the KCOA digital platforms for usage by the Multipliers and organic agriculture stakeholders.
