The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • Diversify the economy now, says FUNAAB VC

    Diversify the economy now, says FUNAAB VC

    The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Prof Felix Salako, has joined the call on Federal Government  to move away from  oil resources and embrace agriculture, as a sustainable route to national development.

    The Vice-Chancellor stated this while declaring open the facilitation and communication skills training programme that was organised in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital by the Cassava, Adding Value for Africa II (CAVA II) Nigeria Project, for Agricultural Development Programmes’ (ADPs) extension officers and procurement staff of large-scale cassava producers.

    Salako, observed that “We are having new generation of extension officers. All of you sitting here are young, seeing your faces; I think we are meeting new generation of extension officers. And I hope you are really going to be the catalyst that would push the nation forward in terms of using agriculture as an alternative to crude oil export. It is dawning on everybody now – whether we like it or not – we are running into trouble with oil. What may even make oil to be useless in the fact that people are already thinking of alternative source of energy, even for running cars. The training could not have come at a better time than now”.

    Salako added that “We are ready to partner to strengthen the skills of workers; extension agents in particular, using participatory and adult-learning methodology, to enhance timely and sustained supply of cassava root by small medium farmers. We are confident that the completion of course will make you better and help in building your capacity to aid effective facilitation and communication with farmers. As extension officers, you need to step up your roles and duties in contributing to the development of our nation. You need to develop good relationship with farmers and subsequently, use these skills to connect yourself. And one thing that has come to fore these days is that farmers did not trust agriculturists anymore. You must be ready to convince the farmer, even to listen to you”.

    “So, you need a lot of effort to be able to convince farmers about innovation these days and this is where I think you have Herculean tasks, being agricultural extension agents. I want to tell you that the information and feedbacks we get from farmers are not that good. The Vice-Chancellor noted that it was crucial to put together the training, aimed at enhancing facilitation and communication skills of participants in having better knowledge of life-changing management, saying that this approach of engaging both extension agents of the state ADPs and procurement executives of cassava-processing factories would definitely achieve the desired results.

    The Country Manager of CAVA II (Nigeria) and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) Designate of FUNAAB, Professor Lateeef Sanni, recalled that the issue of inconsistency in the supply of raw materials was a major and critical point for the survival of large scale industries, noting that sourcing for raw materials of between 250 and 450 tonnes of cassava required quite a lot of work. “We are aware that you have different locations where you source for raw material but at present, there are some issues we have itemised in the last two years – right quality, right quantity and right time of supply – which should be urgently addressed”, he stated.

    “The major problem is that the farmers themselves have informed us that some of the extension officers or procurement officers are delaying their payments, which is attitudinal and that’s why we felt its better we bring in a consultant that will interact with you on facilitation, communication and sustainable engagement”, he disclosed. Meanwhile, to further boost agricultural production, CASSAVA 2017TECH Conference was earlier hosted by CAVA II (Nigeria), in conjunction with FUNAAB and other development partners, to bring together actors involved in cassava processing-equipment manufacturers, fabricators, financiers, scientists and engineers in West and Central African countries, to discuss latest development in the cassava industry.

  • Pig producers seek improved operating environment

    Association for Promotion of Piggery in Nigeria has called for improved environment to do business.

    At the end of its annual general meeting held in Lagos, the group in its communiqué urged the government to provide  incentives  to help the struggling pig-farming industry recover.

    Among the request made by the group was for the government to support stakeholders to reduce the price of animal feed and veterinary medicine, and finding a stable market for the consumption of domestic pork meat.

    The challenges facing the pig industry, said the group , include low domestic demand coupled with the high production and transport costs.

    The  group pushed for the use of modern technology to reduce production costs, improve productivity and seek potential markets for domestic pork meat,

    In the communiqué ,the group urged pig producers to focus on improving animal welfare conditions.

    According to the group, the standard of living in Nigeria  is rising and with more disposable income, pork consumption is increasing. Therefore, the forum charged  producers to look for ways to produce pork as efficiently and cheaply as possible.

  • Brazil wants Nigeria to protect small farmers

    Brazil wants Nigeria to protect small farmers

    The Consul-General of Brazil in Lagos, Amb. Maria Figueiredo, on Monday announced her government’s plan to share its philosophy of protecting small farmers with Nigeria.

    Figueiredo made the announcement in Lagos at a Business Forum between a Brazilian Delegation, members of the Nigerian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other Nigerian businessmen and women.

    The consul-general said that it was imperative for Nigeria to protect her small farmers to be sustainable and self-sufficient in the production of food for home consumption.

    According to her, about 70 per cent of food produced and consumed in Brazil is from the small farmers.

    “We are really ready to share our philosophy for protecting small farmers with Nigeria.

    “An official from my country’s Ministry of Agriculture will be visiting Abuja soon to share our philosophy for protecting small farmers with Nigerians.

    “In Brazil, there are laws that are made to protect small farmers. So, I feel that Nigeria should also protect such farmers,’’ she said.

    Figueiredo said that Nigeria should not only continue to promote big farmers, whose agricultural products were always exported to the international market.

    She said that the delegation was visiting to explore the possibility to explore the Nigerian market for the importation of agricultural equipment from Brazil.

    The President of the Nigerian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Emmanuel Ibru, said that there would continue to be synergy between Nigeria and Brazil.

    Ibru, who said that there was a lot for Nigeria to learn from Brazil, also announced his organisation’s plan to soon organise another visit to Brazil.

    He said that the chamber would continue to encourage and promote trade and knowledge transfer between Nigerians and Brazilians.

    Trade relationship between Nigeria and Brazil dates back to 18th century. Nigeria and Brazil enjoy warm cultural and trade relationship. Many Afro-Brazilians trace their roots to Nigeria.

    Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa. Both countries are key players in the economies of their regions. Brazil is a leading political and economic power in Latin America. Nigeria is equally the leading political and economic power in West Africa.

    Nigeria is the second largest trade partner of Brazil in Sub-Saharan Africa and 11th in the world. Brazil is the third largest importer of Nigerian crude oil after USA and India. Nigeria balance of trade with Brazil is very favourable.

    Brazil’s key industries are textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, agriculture, motor vehicles and parts, other machineries and equipment. Major export products include aircraft, coffee, vehicles, soybean, sugar, rice, orange juice, iron ore, steel, textiles, footwear, electrical equipment, etc.

    Brazil’s current account surpluses had continued to hit record levels, indicating that exports were growing strongly. Its income per head is now twelve times that of India and China.

    Nigeria has a great deal to learn and tap from Brazilian experience. So come on board, let’s take advantage.

    NAN

  • 300 women receive vegetable seeds, farm implements in Delta

    300 women receive vegetable seeds, farm implements in Delta

    At least 300 women in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta have been empowered with vegetable seeds and farm implements, an aide to the state governor, said on Saturday.

    Speaking in an interview in Asaba, Dr Genevieve Mordi, the Senior Special Assistant to Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa,  on International Relations, said the empowerment programme was to encourage more women to engage in agriculture, especially vegetable farming.

    Mordi said that the vision was driven by the need to instill in the people of the state the “Western-style’’ mind-set of farming.

    “The vision is also aimed at erasing the erroneous notion that some particular crops cannot do well in the state.

    “I am particularly worried that sometimes, we are at the mercies of our northern brothers for the supply of some crops and vegetables such as tomato and onion, among others.

    “These crops some of us earlier believed cannot do well in this part of the country.

    “Delta state, by divine coordination is well situated geographically and my vision is to see a Delta State where farming becomes a specialised profession as it is in the western hemisphere where farming is not just limited to supplying the food chain but also expands into agri-tourism ,’’ she said.

    According to her, Agri-tourism, hotels are built within organised farming settlement, activities such as fruit picking, customised foods, custom smoothness and juices blends by the hotel guests could be included as part of the tourism package to attract guests nationally and internationally.

    “We already have this in Aqua-culture termed as ‘point and kill’. It is just adapting same practice to fruits and vegetables.

    “This will definitely lead to job creation and increased revenue generation. We will get there one day and real soon,’’ Mordi said.

    NAN

  • Sokoto to promote public-private partnerships Agriculture – Tambuwal

    Sokoto to promote public-private partnerships Agriculture – Tambuwal

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has pledged his administration’s commitment to promoting agricultural and economic ventures in the state via public-private partnerships.

    Tambuwal, who gave the assurance at a parley with newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday, said that the ventures were geared toward enhancing revenue generation and employment opportunities in the state.

    He listed such ventures as the Anchor Borrowers Scheme and other agricultural projects of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in addition to the schemes of commercial banks which were targeted at boosting agricultural production in the state.

    He said that other ventures were those relating to solid minerals exploitation, tomato farming and processing as well as textiles and agro-allied industries.

    Tambuwal said that a mechanised cattle breeding and dairy farm was established by his administration through such initiatives.

    In the area of education, the governor said that students’ enrolment in schools had increased appreciably, while efforts were underway to upgrade the infrastructural facilities of the schools.

    Tambuwal said that a committee set up by the government had estimated that N47 billion was required to cater for about 2,011 schools.

    He acknowledged the dearth of teachers in the state and the low quality of many teachers, adding, however, that the government would not sack any teachers but it would rather retrain them.

    He stressed that his administration was committed to the judicious management of resources, adding that for instance, funds accruing from the Paris Club loan refunds were used to settle workers’ salary, pensions and other entitlement.

    On sports, Tambuwal said that the Sokoto United Football Club would be repositioned for better performances with enhanced welfare packages, adding that a new stadium would be constructed since the current one was situated in the residential area.

    He said that the state’s laws would be strengthened to address criminal acts like cattle rustling, kidnapping and other social vices.

    NAN

  • NDE trains 30 youths on sustainable agriculture in Cross River

    NDE trains 30 youths on sustainable agriculture in Cross River

    The National Directorate of Employment ( NDE ) has flagged off a four-month training programme on Sustainable Agriculture Development for 30 unemployed youths on Agri-business economy in Ikom local government area of Cross River.

    Director General of NDE, Dr. Mohammed Ladan, said that the training was designed to help farmers improve on their farming skills through constant practice of modern agricultural skills.

    He said the beneficiaries will be trained at the NDE Agricultural Skills Training Centre in Nde Community in Ikom local government area.

    Ladan, who was represented by the State Coordinator of the Directorate, Mr Gabriel Udam, explained that the training would help local farmers to enhance the quality of food production, improve their income and save cost.

    According to him, the training involves three approaches which are two weeks adaptive field training in crops/livestock, trainee farmers’ mentorship and linkages with development, and money deposit banks.

    He also added that the trainees would also be taken on courses on bee making, cropping, farming, piggery, poultry and other agricultural practices.

    The DG said that the training will empower the beneficiaries with agricultural skills that would transform them into agri-preneurs and employers of labour.

    “The training is in line with the Federal Government policy on agriculture which is aimed at empowering the youths to be self-reliant and job creators.

    “I urge all of you here to make judicious use of the training so that you can turn yourselves into commercials farmers with a view to create jobs and be dependable farm income earners,” he said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Comfort Ojong, thanked the NDE for the rare opportunity of training them to become self-sustaining in commercial agriculture.

    Ojong, who spoke on behalf of others, said that the initiative will help in reducing unemployment among youths in the state.

  • FG provides agro chemicals, tools for farmers in Ondo

    FG provides agro chemicals, tools for farmers in Ondo

    The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development says it has provided 6,975 different agro-chemicals and 48,334 pieces of agricultural equipment for sale to farmers in Ondo State.

    Mrs Funke Omagbemi, the state Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this in an interview on Tuesday in Akure.

    Omagbemi said that 4,048 different agro-chemicals and 125 pieces of equipment were made available for sales in July.

    She also said that 2,927 different agrochemicals and 48,209 pieces of equipment were also presented for sale to farmers in September.

    “In the first batch, the state received 24 gallons of Super Grow; 692 sachets of Ultimax Plus; 1,406 litres of Champ D; 397 packs of Aflasafe (Cereal) and 169 litres of Cypermetrin.

    “Besides, 45 litres of Grammazone; 573 litres of Paraquat; 147 litres of Pendimentaline; 204 of Retrazine and 392 litres of Uproot were received,’’ she said.

    Omagbemi also said that in respect of agricultural equipment, the state received 29 3HP water pumps, six 2HP water pumps; 11 double-action solo pumps; two jab planters; 74 knapsack sprayers and three multipurpose threshers.

    She said that under the second batch, the state received 16 gallons of Super Grow; 461 litres of Ultimax Plus; 936 sachets of Champ D; 265 kg. of Aflasafe and 113 litres of Cypermetrin.

    Also, 115 litres of Cranston Spectrum; 382 litres of Paraquat; 98 litres of Pendimentaline; 136 litres of Retrazine; 261 litres of Uproot; 74 litres of Round Up and 70 kg. of Amine Salt were received, she added.

    “In terms of equipment, the state received 20 3HP water pumps, four 2HP water pumps; 11,765 cocoa polythene bags and seven double-action solo pumps.

    “Others include 36,250 oil palm polythene bags; one jab planter; 160 knapsack sprayers and two multipurpose threshers,’’ she said.

    Omagbemi said that the items were sold to farmers across the state in highly subsidised prices.

    “We tried as much as possible to make sure that those items were sold to real farmers, and not to those who wanted to resell them,’’ she said..

    The state director said that if the state government could support the Federal Government’s efforts, the cost of agricultural production in the state would go down, while food prices would consequently be reduced.

    “The Federal Government is not only encouraging farmers go into production, it is also providing inputs with highly subsidised prices for them so as to enable them to make more profit,’’ she said.

    She, therefore, called on farmers in the state to key into Federal Government’s agricultural schemes so as to enable them to benefit maximally from government support.

    Besides, Omagbemi said that the ministry had trained 12 unemployed graduates in fish farming.

    “Each of them received 500 species of juvenile fish, six bags of feeds, farm booth, farm overall, weight scale, tank and N10, 000 financial support,’’ she added.

    NAN

  • IFAD distributes N8.6m rice processing equipment to farmers

    IFAD distributes N8.6m rice processing equipment to farmers

    The International Fund for Agricultural Development ( IFAD ) – Value Chain Development Programme ( VCDP ) on Tuesday distributed rice processing equipment worth N8.6 million to five women farmers groups in Niger.

    The State Programme Coordinator ( SPC ), Dr. Mathew Ahmed, while distributing the equipment to the farmers in Minna on Tuesday, said the measure would go a long way in creating jobs.

    According to him, it will also ensure that local rice farmers produce the crop in line with international best practices.

    “We are here today to distribute rice processing machines to our farmers to enable them produce rice that will compete favourably with the foreign rice.

    “Many of the foreign rice we eat today in Nigeria are not better than our local rice because they are expired but our local rice is fresh.

    Read also: Edo, Delta, Cross River fish farmers get equipment

    “Some of the foreign rice we eat constitute health hazards, hence the need for VCDP to ensure food security,’’ he said.

    The equipment distributed included five rice de-stoners, 10 rice parboilers, and 46 manual sprayers.

    The coordinator said IFAD-VCDP would subsidise the cost of the equipment.

    He explained that the groups selected from the five participating local government areas in the VCDP applied for the equipment.

    The local governments include Bida, Wushishi, Kontagora, Shiroro and Katcha.

    He said that aside training the farmers in mechanised farming in the value chain, the programme also trained them in using first-bottom approach to parboil rice.

    “We are presently working with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria ( SON ) to make sure that our farmers adhere to international best practices that will make their product accepted across the globe,’’ he said.

    He said that there were 13,000 farmers participating in rice and cassava value chain in the state.

    In her remarks, Dr Amina Bello, wife of the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello commended IFAD-VCDP, saying that it had added value to the state’s agriculture drive.

    She was represented by Mrs Kaltume Rufai, the Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

    Bello urged the beneficiaries to utilise the equipment to ensure success of the programme.

    Responding on behalf of one of the beneficiary groups,  Hajiya Hadiza Yunusa, Chairman, Nufawamasu Gumi Rice Producers Association, Bida said that before the coming of IFAD-VCDP the colour of their rice was not attractive and contained impurities.

    Yunusa said that the VCDP had trained them on modern ways of cultivating, processing and marketing rice.

    “Now we sell our rice and cassava to other West African countries, our customers even book in advance,’’ Yunusa said.

    NAN

  • Elephant Group takes over Elele rice mill

    Elephant Group takes over Elele rice mill

    Elephant group, the nation largest and fastest growing indigenous agro commodities company has formally taken over through concession, the running of the Elele Alimini rice processing mill in Rivers State, from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The take over was disclosed in a release signed by Mr. Babatunde Ajibola, the group Media Consultant.

    “The Mill has the capacity to process 210 metric tons of paddies of rice per day. With this development, a positive impact will be brought to the Nigerian Economy because it would create jobs both directly and indirectly and increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “It will guarantee food security and also go a long way in supporting the Federal Government efforts to ensure agricultural sustenance and food sufficiency,” Ajibola stated.

    Mr. Tunji Owoeye, the Managing Director of Elephant group, assured of his firm’s readiness to make effective use of the mill, stating that Elephant pride rice, which is the firm’s local rice to be produced in the mill, will soon flood the market.’

    He said the mill will also encourage the local communities to grow more rice through the out-growers scheme, thus expanding the agricultural value chain.

    The Elephant Group in conjunction with the Edo State government and the Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Landing (NIRSAL) has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to buy off cassava from about 350 farmers that will be benefiting from the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme in Edo North Senatorial district of Edo State.

    The Edo State Government has approved the sum of N140Million as its counterpart funding for land preparation for the program, which will engage about 150 cassava farmers and 200 youths in the senatorial district participating by cultivating 500 hectares of cassava.

    In the agreement, Elephant group buys off the cassava from the farmers which will in turn be processed into flour. This program will kick off before the end of the year.

    “We want to make the nation to be food sufficient ,create employment and support the federal govt policy of back to farm without sole reliance on oil and gas assets ’ Owoeye emphasized.

    In pursuance of the task ahead, the group’s management has engaged the staffs in various effective capacity training in order to ensure that the company’s vision of planting seeds of economic growth in Africa’ is sustained..

  • Poultry association gets new exco

    The Poultry Association of Nigeria( PAN), has elected a new executive at its convention in Abuja. Mr. Ezekiel Ibrahim emerged as the National President.

    Mr. Ibrahim, who was the Vice President of the Association in the North East, has been a poultry farmer for over 30 years.

    In  his acceptance speech, he said because of his pedigree, he was very conversant with the challenges and opportunities of poultry production in the country. He promised to take the poultry industry in the country to a higher level during his tenure.

    Ibrahim assured members of the association that he would run an inclusive administration whereby every poultry farmer in the country will be brought on board to contribute ideas to the overall development of the industry. In his remarks at the swearing ceremony

    Having been a national officer at different levels, he was very conversant with the challenges, opportunities and the problems militating against poultry production in the country.

    He promised to take the poultry industry to another level of development, assuring that he would run an all-inclusive government whereby every poultry farmer in the country would be brought on board membership of the Association and be made to contribute ideas for the betterment of the industry.

    Speaking in the same vein, Chairman of Uzizi Integrated Farms, Enahoro Eta, who was elected National Vice President, Southsouth, promised that his tenure would ensure that all the states in the zone become another poultry haven in Nigeria.

    He assured the citizens of the Niger Delta that he would ensure that poultry products from the Southsouth are traded to the other parts of the country instead of the zone becoming a dumping ground for poultry products from the other parts of the country.