ECOWAS promotes organic agriculture, develops markets for better productivity

THE ECONOMIC COM MUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES ECOWAS) Commission, agriculture division, in Nigeria says the ECOWAS administrative sector has in place strategies to enhance the visibility of organic agriculture in the West African region, as well as develop its market for better productivity.

Ernest Aubee, head of the division in Nigeria made the disclosure in a presentation titled, “Benefits of Harmonised Organic Standard in West Africa,’ at the recently held 5th West Africa Organic Conference (WAOC) in Ghana, said the general assembly of West Africa Organic Network (WAfrONet) had recommended the need for a harmonised organic standard for West Africa.

He noted that the development would encourage regional trade and strengthen the establishment of the Bio West Africa Fair, a regional organic exhibition in West Africa to benefit organic agriculture on the continent.

Aubee, who doubles as the chairman of regional steering committee for Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative, West Africa, further stated that a harmonised organic standard in West Africa would lead to increased quality control in the region’s organic agricultural sector, lead to the improvement of the West African economy as a result of the trading of organic produce in the region, and increase demand for organic agriculture products, as well as its awareness.

Speaking on the progress of the organic agriculture standard document for West Africa, Aubee said the final version of the ECOWAS-led harmonised organic standard in West Africa is expected to be ready in 2022, following the collation of available Participatory Guarantee Scheme (PGS) for organic standards and the transmission of the harmonised standard draft and reports to the ECOWAS Commission.