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Understanding the Principle of Organic Agriculture Practice Feature
By Ebere Agozie
Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which enhances agro-ecosystem health, utilizing both traditional and scientific knowledge. Organic agricultural system relies on ecosystem management rather than external agricultural inputs (IFOAM Organics International).
The IFOAM Organics International is the worldwide umbrella organisation for organic agriculture movements which represents close to 800 affiliates in 117 countries.
The European Union organic standard also included that organic agriculture practices involve the application of high animal welfare standards and a production method in line with the preference of certain consumers for products developed using natural substances and processes.
From the explanations above, one then begins to wonder, what is the difference between organic and conventional agricultural practices?
Dr Olugbenga AdeOluwa, the Country Coordinator of Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Nigeria said that organic agriculture `is one of the easily misconstrued aspects of agriculture’’.
He said that while the popularity of organic food and non- food products continue to increase, there are still plenty of people who don’t know what organic food and products are or how these differ from regular or conventional ones.
“There are established specific requirements that must be verified before any products can be labeled organic and must demonstrate that they protect natural resources and conserve biodiversity.
“In organic farming, the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, irradiation, sewage sludge, hormones, antibiotics and genetic engineering is strictly prohibited.
“Whereas farmers using conventional methods might spray synthetic chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth, organic farmers would, instead, apply natural fertilizers such as compost manure to feed the soil and the plants“.
AdeOluwa said that where the conventional farmer would use insecticides for pest control, the organic farmer would make use of beneficial insects, birds or traps.
“While the conventional farmer might use chemical herbicides for weed control, the organic farmer would rotate crops, use cover crops, till the dirt, engage mechanical weeding, hand-weed or mulch to manage the weeds.
“Similarly, producers of organic beef, pork, poultry and other meat products use preventative measures such as rotational grazing, a wholesome diet, clean housing, access to the outdoors and botanicals: in contrast to the conventional producers who give animals hormones to spur growth and antibiotics to prevent disease.’’
He said that sustainability of environmental resources and safety are important components of organic agriculture which are lacking in conventional agriculture practice currently taught in schools.
“There is a difference between organic agriculture and organic chemistry, therefore proper understanding of organic agriculture is needed for effective engagement of stakeholders in the value chain of agriculture, of which academic institutions are major.
“There is a need for curriculum development in Nigeria to incorporated organic agriculture into the Degree and National Diploma programmes in the country.’’
AdeOluwa, who is also a lecturer at the University of Ibadan said the curricula of Institutions must address the issue of the four principles of organic agriculture.
He said that for produce to be called organic it must have gone through and observed all the principles of organic agriculture practice.
“These include the `Principle of Health’ to sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal and human as one and indivisible.
“Principle of Ecology` that is based on, and working with, living ecological systems and cycles, emulate them and help sustain them.
“The Principle of Fairness’ built upon relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.
“The Principle of Care which should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and wellbeing of current and future generations and the environment“.
He unequivocally maintained that organic agriculture is necessary to save the planet from the misuse of harmful chemicals and protect fragile soil ecosystems.
He is also of the opinion that a proper understanding of organic agriculture would address challenges of low yields and intensification of production.
Prof. Victor Olowe, the President, Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria lent his voice to why people should practice organic farming.
He said that health risks associated with exposure to pesticides are among the main considerations when looking at the reasons for the world to go organic.
“Farmers and their families are the most affected by pesticides, so also are the people who live in communities near the points of application of toxic pesticides, where pesticide drift and water contamination are common.’’
He said that even pregnant women working in the fields unwittingly expose their unborn babies to toxic pesticides but that in organic agriculture practice, their health would be protected.
“Organic agriculture does not utilize these toxic chemicals and thus eliminates this enormous health hazard to workers, their families, and their communities.
“Organic food can feed us and keep us healthy without producing the toxic effects of chemical agriculture.
“Also, in addition to lacking the toxic residues of conventional foods, organic food is more nutritious: It is richer in nutrients, in particular, organic acids and polyphenolic compounds, which have been shown to have human health benefits as antioxidants.’’
According to Olowe, `Food security is an existing global challenge: Everyone has to have stable access to an adequate quantity of nutritious and affordable supply of food that is subject to both quantitative and qualitative requirements.
“When you see the word `organic’ on a label or a package, it means the product was grown or made according to the strict standards (without the use of toxic, persistent chemicals, GMOs, antibiotics or hormones).’’
One could at this point ask, if organic agriculture is as important to healthy food security as the organic experts say, why is organic farming not yet widely adopted?
Mr Joseph Nwana, an agriculturist has this to say:
“Because farmers are not patient enough, they want immediate effects so they resort to the application of synthetic fertilizers and added to this is the fact that it is difficult to obtain organic fertilizers.
“Also, organically grown produce does not have properly organised markets at the moment, and governments have not put in enough efforts to propagate the benefits of organic agriculture.
“Organic agriculture may have lower yields and would therefore need more land to produce the same amount of food as conventional farms.
“This will result in more widespread deforestation and biodiversity loss, thus undermining the environmental benefits of organic practices.’’
Mr Ernest Aubee, Head, Agriculture Division, ECOWAS Commission Abuja says Nigeria is one of the leading countries in West Africa that have taken the lead in efforts to mainstream organic agriculture in school curricula.
Aubee, who is also Chairman of the Regional Steering Committee, Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in West Africa said this will help to inculcate the principles of organic agriculture in the consciousness of future generations.
“This will help see how best to mainstream organic agriculture into the school curriculum to encourage and promote its sustainability.
“What Nigeria is doing in organic agriculture will benefit, not only Nigeria as a country, but also the other ECOWAS member states.
“This is the time for us as a continent to pay closer attention to what we eat.
“We read in the media all the time stories about contaminated foods and as a result we must be careful what we eat. This is important because that is part of what should define our personality and the population of the members of ECOWAS states“.
He encouraged other ECOWAS member states to follow suit and start work immediately on how best to make sure that organic agriculture becomes an integral part of their curriculum from primary to the highest level of education.
“In attempting to do this, we must not stop at just one level, we should start from the base, from the primary to the highest level of education,” he advised.
Precision and Heritage: How Fifi Stitches Is Rewriting African Fashion Narratives
A Nigerian-born designer is gradually carving out a cross-continental footprint in contemporary fashion, blending African textile heritage with British technical discipline.
Esther Fiyinfoluwa Adeosun, Founder and Creative Director of Fifi Stitches, is gaining recognition for structured womenswear and bridal couture that reinterprets traditional fabrics through architectural tailoring and precision construction.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adeosun’s fashion journey began at home, seated beside her mother’s sewing machine. What started as childhood curiosity, sometimes jamming the machine just to understand its mechanics—evolved into a disciplined design practice now operating between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
During an interview with journalists the fifi Stitches once mentioned “I was fascinated by how flat fabric could transform into something structured and meaningful”.
In her Story , early designs made for her family, though imperfectly finished, were worn with pride—an encouragement that laid the foundation for her professional confidence.
Today, Fifi Stitches is recognised for sculpted bodices, controlled tailoring, corsetry construction, and the contemporary reinterpretation of Ankara, Aso Oke, and Adire textiles.
The brand challenges the long-held perception that African fabrics belong solely in ceremonial contexts, instead positioning them within global luxury and modern design spaces.
Adeosun’s training reflects this dual perspective. She studied Fashion Design and Entrepreneurship at the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, and earned a Diploma in Fashion Design through Alison Online.
In the UK, she undertook industry-focused technical training with Fashion-Enter Ltd and gained fashion business exposure through Fashion Capital UK.
Her technical expertise spans pattern drafting, draping, garment technology, structured tailoring, corsetry, and bespoke fittings—skills she describes as central to credibility in fashion. “Precision builds trust,” she says. “A designer must understand construction as deeply as creativity.”
Fifi Stitches has showcased collections at the Suffolk Fashion Show, Liverpool Fashion Show – FB Fashion Ball, Red Carpet Fashion Event in London, and through editorial features in London Runway Magazine.
The brand has also received coverage in The Guardian Nigeria and Vanguard Allure, expanding its visibility across markets.
Beyond couture, Adeosun integrates community impact into her practice.
She has facilitated garment construction workshops, draping sessions, and introductory training programmes for women and emerging creatives, promoting fashion as both artistic expression and vocational empowerment.
Fifi Stcithes Boss operates between Nigeria and the UK, in order to continue to shape her brand identity.
According to her “Nigeria provides cultural richness and expressive textile traditions, while the UK offers structured production systems, sustainability conversations, and institutional frameworks”.
Looking ahead, Adeosun said she plan to establish a fully structured fashion house spanning Africa and the UK, develop scalable production partnerships, launch capsule collections, and expand independent editorial visibility.
Her broader ambition is clear: to position African textile craftsmanship within global contemporary design conversations—through structure, discipline, and technical excellence.
GTCO Launches “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, Opens Call for Applications
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”) has announced the launch of “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, reaffirming its commitment to fostering innovation, empowering talent, and supporting the development of technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges across Africa.
Now in its third edition, the Hackathon brings together developers, designers and entrepreneurs across Nigeria in a collaborative environment to build practical solutions across key sectors including financial services, healthcare, commerce and digital inclusion. Under the theme “Smart Systems: The Intelligent Economy,” participants are challenged to design and build intelligent, data-driven solutions that transform how communities engage with money.
Applications are now open, and interested teams can find full guidelines and registration details on the official portal at https://squadco.com/hackathon.
Speaking on the initiative, Eduophon Japhet, Managing Director of HabariPay, stated: “Today’s dynamic, digitally driven world demands continuous innovation, which is shaping how economies grow, how businesses scale, and how societies evolve. Through “Take on Squad” Hackathon, we are deliberately investing in the ideas and talent that will define the future. Our objective is not simply to encourage innovation, but to enable its translation into scalable solutions that deliver real and measurable impact. This reflects GTCO’s role as a financial services platform that connects capital, capability, and creativity to drive sustainable progress.”
The social coding event remains a cornerstone of HabariPay’s mission to foster creativity and problem-solving among emerging tech talents. Competing teams will leverage Squad’s advanced APIs to create scalable digital tools that address everyday challenges faced by businesses and individuals.
Through initiatives such as this, GTCO continues to position itself at the intersection of finance, technology and enterprise, actively shaping the future of digital transformation in Africa.
About HabariPay
HabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.
Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.
HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.
About Squad
Squad is a complete digital payments solution that is reliable, secure, and affordable, making receiving in-person and online payments simpler and convenient.
Thousands of merchants currently leverage Squad’s payment solutions for their daily business operations. Squad’s current products and service offerings include SquadPOS, Squad Payment Links, Squad Virtual Accounts, USSD, and E-Commerce Storefront.
Find out more at www.squadco.com.
Electric 8-Seater Tula Moto Keke Enters Nigerian Market, Targets Higher Operator Earnings
LAGOS — A new electric-powered tricycle with an expanded passenger capacity has been introduced into Nigeria’s urban transport sector, offering operators a potentially more profitable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional petrol-driven “keke.”
The newly launched 8-seater electric tricycle, now available in Lagos with plans for nationwide distribution, features a dual-row seating arrangement capable of accommodating up to eight passengers per trip—significantly higher than the standard three-passenger configuration common across the country.
Promoters of the innovation say the increased capacity is designed to boost daily earnings for operators, particularly amid persistent fluctuations in fuel prices. By running entirely on electric power, the vehicle eliminates dependence on petrol, reducing operating costs and shielding drivers from fuel price volatility.
According to the distributors, the tricycle is equipped with a durable battery system capable of covering extended distances on a single charge, making it suitable for commercial operations across high-traffic routes, residential estates, campuses, and marketplaces.
“The concept is straightforward—enable drivers to earn more while spending less,” a company representative stated. “With higher passenger capacity and zero fuel requirements, operators can maximise each trip without the burden of daily fuel expenses.”
Beyond its cost-saving potential, the electric keke is also said to require less maintenance than traditional models, offering additional long-term savings. Its quieter and smoother operation is expected to enhance passenger comfort and overall commuting experience.
Industry analysts note that the introduction of electric mobility solutions reflects a growing shift toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation alternatives in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban centres such as Lagos.
The distributors added that the product is currently available under a limited promotional offer, with delivery options across the country.
For inquiries and purchase: 📞 08153432071
📞 08035889103
Office Address:
📍 Plot 9, Block 113, Beulah Plaza,
Lekki–Epe Expressway,
Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
As transportation costs continue to rise and environmental concerns gain prominence, innovations like the electric 8-seater keke may signal an emerging transition toward more efficient and sustainable mobility solutions nationwide.
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