The Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Nigeria says precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases must include eating right. National Coordinator, Dr. Olugbenga Adeola, made the assertion at the organisation’s stakeholders’ forum in Abuja.

He said that consumption of organic and natural foods, proteins, vegetables and spices are effective in boosting immunity and aiding the cure of some symptoms of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Adeola said that although researches had been carried out to find effective vaccines against the pandemic, eating organic food was very necessary. The Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative is an African Union-led continental undertaking currently implemented in nine countries – Nigeria, Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. It is implemented under the guidance and oversight of the AU-chaired continental steering committee to establish an African organic farming platform based on available best practices, and to develop sustainable organic farming systems and improve seed quality.

Adeola said: “Eating right starts with eating chemical-free foods as organic farming does not permit the use of substances that are foreign to nature. Organic agriculture involves the use of natural fertilizers to cultivate arable crops like soybeans, legumes, vegetables, grains and seeds. Organic agriculture gives farms and animal life conditions that correspond to their ecological roles and allows them to display natural behaviour.’’

“The benefits of eating right include reducing the risk of diseases, like the COVID-19, heart diseases, diabetes, stroke, some cancers, and osteoporosis. Eating organic foods reduces high blood pressure, lowers high cholesterol, improves the well-being of the body.”

“Crops, including proteins and vegetables grown using organic standards contain better combination of nutrients and phytonutrients than the ones grown in conventional systems,’’ he added. Daily Times, Pg. 9.