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NECOFA Nigeria Country Report

 

presented by

NECOFA Nigeria Representative,

Mr. Edward Olumuyiwa Ogungbe.

 

The mustard seed sown in Ethiopia about four years has now grown into a big tree that is now fruiting profusely.

One is very happy reading the activities of other country groups in the Newsletter. Though the path may be tortuous, the promised land will be reached.

The activities of NECOFA Nigeria began in earnest immediately after the Cameroon follow up workshop.

The international office mobilized us financially in order to formally launch NECOFA Nigeria. The launching was done in conjunction with the 1^st Country workshop on Ecofarming.

 The launching/workshop took place on the 20^th – 21^st of December 2000. It was a colourful ceremony which was chaired by the Deputy Governor Ogun State. He presented the keynote address and also declared the workshop opened. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources also presented  the opening address.

The opening ceremony took the whole of morning session. The commissioner for Agric. in his speech stated inter-alia:

There was an increasing call for the use of other alternatives that were less toxic to the environment. Suggestions had been made on the use of organic fertilizers. Researchers had put forward proposal on the advantage of organic farming. NECOFA had organized this workshop to discuss the advantages of Ecofarming to the agricultural sector. I would therefore charge the discussant at this workshop to critically examine the various options open to our farmers, under the Ecofarming programme, with a view to coming out with recommendations that would reduce the environment related problem of agriculture. The commissioner emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture welcomed ideas that would increase farm output, and also, improved farmers’ income.

 

The Deputy Governor concluded his address by charging the participant to take full advantage of the workshop. He also said that policy makers should be advised so that government would re-direct their attention to the use of ecofarming techniques to boost food production and distribution. Researchers were also to be advised to focus their attention towards Ecofarming techniques. He further re-iterated that failure of any programme was not only attributable to the implementation stage but was a reflection of bad and poor planning and incoherent policy formulation. He said NECOFA members should adequately advise policy makers. He hoped that the goal and aspirations of Network for Ecofarming in Africa(NECOFA) in conjunction with German Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture supported by German Foundation for International Development Centre would be maintained and improved even after they might have handed off.

After this thought provoking keynote address he thereafter declared the workshop opened. This event formally marked the formation of NECOFA Nigeria.

 

The Plenary/Technical Session commenced immediately after the opening ceremony.

The Country representative gave the broad overview of Ecofarming. The presentation provoked many questions amongst which were as stated:

 

• It appeared that we were going back to the basis. Why were we just waking up.
• How viable would Ecofarming be to commercial Agriculture.
• How would small scale farmers enjoy the benefit of this 1st Country workshop.
• How would the grassroot farmers sustain themselves with the practice.
• Developed World started  preaching breast feeding and now they have started preaching ecofarming. Are we not pawns in their hands.
• What kind of relationship would exist between National Agricultural Research systems and Agricultural Development Programme with Necofa.
• Would Necofa be publishing their activities.

Attempts were made by the Country representative to answer these questions. Some of these question could still be elaborated upon during this workshop.

There was a lunch break after this presentation.

Other topics treated in day one  were:

 

• Integrated livestock, crops and fisheries farming system for sustainable ecofarming.
• Indigenous livestock technologies in ecofarming.
• Gender issues in ecofarming

 

The workshop closed for the first day at 18.00.

The second day commenced at 9.00

            The following topics were presented and exhaustively discussed.

 

• Participatory technology development in ecofarming.
• Integrating NECOFA into the existing National Agriculture system.
• Combating the land degradation hazards: key to sustainable farming.
• Planning sustainable land management for continuous crop production in Nigeria. An Ecosystem approach.
• Role of Extension in promoting sustainable Ecofarming system.

 

After all these presentations, there were general discussion on the workshop. The future goals were also elaborated upon. It was at this juncture that participants were broken into groups to address salient points raised during the various sessions of the workshop. A communiqué was issued at the end of the meeting.

 

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A 2-DAY 1ST COUNTRY WORKSHOP ON ECOFARMING AND INAUGURATION OF THE NETWORK FOR ECOFARMING IN AFRICA(NECOFA) HELD AT THE BANQUET HALL, GATEWAY HOTEL, ABEOKUTA BETWEEN 20TH –21ST DECEMBER, 2000

 

The 1^st Country workshop on ECOFARMING and Inauguration of the Network for Ecofarming in Africa (NECOFA) was held at the Banquet Hall, Gateway Hotel, Abeokuta between 20^th and 21^st December, 2000.

The workshop which was attended by Seventy-three (73) participants included farmers, Research Scientists, Extensionists, Administrators, Students and Teachers from various Institutions/Establishments spread across the country was declared opened by the Deputy Governor of Ogun State of Nigeria; Alhaji Adegbenga Kaka. While  welcoming participants, the Country Representative for Nigeria; Mr. E.O.Ogungbe, defined Ecofarming as ecologically sound, economically viable, socially acceptable and sustainable farming systems that requires the deep commitment of Policy makers, Researchers and Extension Agents in a truly participatory planning and technology development process.

Alhaji Kaka in his keynote address highlighted the numerous problems facing agriculture in Nigeria which limit the extent of food production. The Ogun State Deputy Governor is optimistic that NECOFA will be able to train Farmer, Extension Agents, Staff of NGOs, etc and also ensure implementation of this laudable programme at the grassroots level. Presentations were made by erudite scientists and a farmer in various area of ecofarming including alternative Pest Control Technologies, Indigenous Livestock Technologies, Sustainable land Management, gender issues, etc.

After exhaustive deliberations, the Network resolved as follows:

1. The workshop acknowledged the assistance of the German Government through the German Foundation for International Development (DSE) and German Institute for Tropical and Sub-Tropical Agriculture (DITSL) for their vision in founding NECOFA and subsequent funding for its sustenance.
2. The Network acknowledged the various efforts made by government in the past to address the issue of self-sufficiency in food and raw materials production. The workshop however, believed that many of the programmes failed due to the non-availability of the required (often imported) inputs.
3. The workshop called on Scientists, Farmers and Policy makers to embrace Ecofarming since it is less capital intensive, environmental friendly and socially acceptable.
4. The workshop enjoined Policy makers at the National, State and Local Government levels to give necessary moral and logistics support to the Network so that desirable technologies can be disseminated to the grassroots through the existing channels.
5. As a result of the important use of local herbs in Livestock husbandry and Crop protection, the workshop enjoined relevant government agencies to identify, protect and conserve these endangered industrial crop species.
6. The workshop noted the invaluable role of women in all farm operations and as such stressed the need to involve this gender at all stages of agricultural development. Women should also be granted all rights/privileges currently the sole preserve of men.
7. The workshop views with great concern the indiscriminate dumping of agrochemicals in the country and consequent adverse effects on the environment and residual nature in food items. Government should therefore encourage and popularize the development and production of indigenous agro technologies that are cost effective and environmentally friendly.

 

During the general meeting that preceded the workshop, organogram of NECOFA was arrived at.

The full proceedings of the workshop had been forwarded to the International Coordinator.

I am still using this forum to reinstate the desire of the participants at the workshop to have the proceedings.

 

In December 2001 National planning meeting was held and the outcome are as itemized.

 

Summary of Activities arrived at during the NECOFA-Nigeria National Planning meeting for 2002 on Thursday 20th of December 2001 at OGADEP Headquarters, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta

 

 

1.1

 

NECOFA – Nigeria held its planning meeting for year 2002 on the 20^th of December at the Headquarters of the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme, idi-aba, Abeokuta with 25 members in attendance.

 

 

1.2

 

The Country representative gave a brief on the activities during the year 2001 which included:

• sending of the report of the 1st Country workshop by NECOFA-Nigeria to the International Headquarters.
• increase in the number of registered members
• Distribution of photocopied NECOFA newsletter to members.
• readiness in the publication and distribution of the proceedings of the 1st country workshop of NECOFA- Nigeria as soon as response from International Headquarters was received.

 

 

2.1

 

The following decisions were taken by members at the meeting

 

2.1.1 Calendar of Activities

 

The Calendar of activities for the year was drawn as follows:

 

 

January	Sending of Research proposals to the Technical/ Research Committee
February	Meeting of the Technical/Research Committee to scrutinize and ratify research proposals for year 2002 and soliciting for sponsorship
March	1st Zonal Quarterly meetings in the existing three zones (Southwest, North East and South-South)
April	Nil
May	Nil
June	2nd Zonal Quarterly Meeting
July	National NECOFA – Nigeria Workshop and Review meeting
August	Intimating the International Coordinator of the outcome of the workshop/review meeting
September	3rd Zonal Quarterly Meeting
October	Nil
November	Nil
December	National meeting

 

 

2.1.2 Meetings/Workshop

 

1. It was decided that there would be two National meetings  each year.
2. There would be one National workshop each year
3. The zones would hold their meetings quarterly
4. The chapters would hold their meetings monthly

 

 

2.1.3 Zones

 

The following zones were now recognised:

 

• Southwest with Headquarters in Abeokuta
• North east with Headquarters in Bauchi
• South-South with Headquarters in Port Harcourt

 

 

2.1.4    Chapters

The following chapters were now recognized

 

• OGADEP, Abeokuta
• Ijebu Chapter – Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye
• Ogbomoso chapter - Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso
• Ekiti Chapter-  Ekiti State Agric. Dev. Programme
• UNAAB chapter – University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
• ATBU chapter Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
• Port Harcourt chapter- University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt.

 

 

2.1.5

 

The National Headquarters should look for its permanent office that

would be more conducive than the OGADEP headquarters presently in use with adequate communication equipments.

 

 

2.1.6. Funding

 

NECOFA should extend its funding avenue to:

 

• International Headquarters and other international donors
• National Organisations and Federal Government
• Multinationals and oil companies
• Members through annual dues

 

 

2.1.7    Membership Drive

 

• NECOFA- Nigeria should intensify membership drive through lectures, seminars, radio and TV programmes and individual contact.
• All new chapters formed should inform the National headquarters for formal launching.
• NECOFA _ Nigeria should extend its spread to the other three (3) geo-political zones of NorthWest, North Central and Middle belt of Nigeria.

 

      

2.1.8 International Headquarters should

 

• Communicate more with the NECOFA- Nigeria headquarters
• Print or assist in the publication of proceeding of the 1st Country workshop of NECOFA-Nigeria
• Expose NECOFA-Nigeria to other international agencies with like minds.

 

 

2.1.9    Research proposals for 2002

 

The following research proposals were submitted for review and approval by the Research/ Technical Committee:

 

• Pilot survey of Pesticide Usage in Agriculture and Analysis of Residue of selected pesticides in soils and Food Commodities in Four state of Nigeria.
• Screening Nigerian Plant Resources for Pesticidal Properties.
• The use of Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural practices by farmers in Oyo State of Nigeria.
• The Adoption Alley Farming Technology by Small Scale Farmers in Ogbomosho zone of Oyo state.
• Sustainable Agricultural Waste Management and recycling in
• Nigeria.
• Integrating Apiculture into the existing Agricultural Systems for yield
• increase and poverty eradication.
• Field evaluation of Biometricals (Botanicals and animal urine) in the control of pest of vegetables and other crops.
• Survey of existing ecofarming in the six geo-ecological zones in Nigeria.

 

 

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