Business
African Cooperatives Mobilise To Sustain Business After COVID-19
The National Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria (CFAN) says it is collaborating with other African countries to support cooperatives in the continent in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Executive Secretary of CFAN, Mr Emmanuel Atama, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday.
Atama said the agency had contacted its global body, African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Association (ACCSCA) in Kenya and some others to develop appropriate strategies to enable its members to continue with their businesses after the COVID-19.
He said the collaboration would also help them to discuss a common stand that all the financial cooperatives across the continent would follow in the face of the current global health challenge and beyond.
He disclosed that the agency had suspended all cooperative meetings hence, the use of electronic channels and banking platforms for business transactions.
The executive secretary appealed to members of the agency to support the government, development partners and the organised private sector in checking the spread of the virus.
“We are indeed facing a very challenging and trying times not only in Nigeria but across the globe in the face of the coronavirus.
“In view of the grassroots nature of cooperatives driven by self-help, we find it imperative to expand the sensitisation on COVID-19 to the grassroots by keeping our teaming members informed of various strategies put in place by the government.
“We normally get something like loan from government from all these intervention funds.
“What we are saying is that because our people are going to be at home for some time, by the time they are coming out from their homes, they will be completely exhausted.
“We are imploring on government and development partners that have been giving us some support in addition to what we have in our fund, so that our members who are into agriculture, SMEs will continue to do their businesses just like before.
“This afternoon, I will be hooked up to other African countries through our global body in Kenya to discuss a common stand that all the financial cooperatives across the continent will follow in the face of this challenge and beyond,’’ he explained.
Atama appealed to members to obey current restrictions by the government to contain the spread of the virus.
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FCTA, Others Chart Path To Organic Agriculture Practices
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and other stakeholders have charted path to improved organic agriculture practices nationwide.
At a 2024 national organic and agroecology business summit held recently in Abuja, stakeholders took turn to speak on the additional areas of promoting the practices.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Lawan Geidam, advocated for sustainable practice to develop resilient food systems that will benefit people.
The event, with the theme,”Towards Policies for Upscaling Organic Agroecological Businesses in Nigeria”, is aimed at fostering growth in the organic agriculture sector.
Geidam, who was represented by the Acting Director, Agric Services, in the Secretariat, Mr. Ofili Bennett, emphasised the success of organic and agroecological farming, reling on the active involvement of farmers, businesses and consumers.
He reassured attendees that the FCT Administration, led by the Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that enhance the livelihood of residents.
Geidam described the partnership between the Secretariat and the organic and Agroecology initiative for a monthly exhibition and sale of organic products in the FCTA premises as a testament to this commitment.
“The ARDS remains committed to driving policies and initiatives that align with national goals and global standards”, Geidam said.
On her part, the Chairperson of Organic and Agroecology Initiative, Mrs. Janet Igho, urged residents to embrace healthy eating habits to sustain a good lifestyle. She stressed the importance of adopting organic practices, highlighting the benefits of going organic, growing organic and consuming organic products.
Igho expressed her optimism regarding the Agricultural Revival Programmes as articulated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, which aims at fostering food and nutrition security.
She also extended her gratitude to ARDS for graciously allocating a space in the FCTA premises for the exhibition and sale of organic products, noting that the platform has been effectively used to advance the promotion of organic agriculture in FCT.
Igho outlined several benefits of organic agriculture which includes improved soil health, increased biodiversity, availability nutritious and healthy food and a reduced carbon footprint.
Stakeholders at the summit, underscored the critical need for enhanced private sector involvement and robust capacity building initiatives for farmers.
They highlighted the importance of implementing supportive policies to foster the growth of the organic agriculture sector.
In the light of the significant challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, stakeholders decided that organic agricultural practices present sustainable solutions and a pathway for a more resilient and productive farming systems.
The three-day summit featured exhibitions showcasing organic foods, fruits, vegetables and fertilizers, providing an opportunity for residents to better appreciate the benefits of production and consumption of organic agricultural products.
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