The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • Green house: Bamboo to the rescue

    Green house: Bamboo to the rescue

    With imported greenhouses designed to help farmers produce quality and increase yield selling for about N3 million, a young entrepreneur and Co-Founder, PS Nutraceuticals, Samson Ogbole, has found a cheaper option with low cost ones  constructed with  bamboo.The aim is to encourage more Nigerians with little money to be involved in profitable farming. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Most businesses in agriculture in Nigeria use greenhouses to grow  crops.

    They use green houses to manipulate the growing conditions of crops to produce the optimum quality and yield.

    Indeed, massive greenhouses are used to grow peppers in light conditions, enabling farmers to reduce the growing season by four weeks.

    In   Nigeria and parts of Africa, farmers  are  using  greenhouses  to  grow most out-of-season crops during rainy season and at a time of year when they can’t be grown outdoors.

    These include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, lettuce, basil, and others which command high prices in some markets.

    But not all farmers can afford it.  A standard modern greenhouse costs between N2 to N3 million. It is expensive because it is constructed with  materials such as polycarbonate panels, greenhouse film and corrugated plastic.

    Co-Founder, PS Nutraceuticals ,SamsonOgbole has been a prominent figure on the  farming scene since he and his partner established his demo farm in Ogun State. He is a proponent of technology driven agriculture. After trying a variety of  growing techniques on a smaller scale, he began commercially growing some crops,including fresh produce.

    He researched the cost of  constructing a standard greenhouse that would offer a more controlled environment in which to farm, but found the start-up costs prohibitive for small scale farmers.

    After trials, Ogbole has found a cheap option. A greenhouse made of bamboo and other cheap and locally available materials.

    Though built from local materials, Ogbole explained that he has driven  down costs  with a low  cost  greenhouse  that can control temperature, humidity and soil moisture.

    At N300,000,a bamboo greenhouse is much cheaper than the commercial greenhouse that costs as much as N2 million.

    With bamboo and locally available and inexpensive materials, Ogbole can construct a 400-square-meter greenhouse for the production of high-value vegetables.

    Vegetable varieties that can be planted in bamboo greenhouse include pumpkin, tomato, sweet pepper, and spinach.

    The other advantage is that the bamboo–structured greenhouse can last up to five years or longer, giving enough time for farmers to maximise production and increase their profit.

    One of his plans is to promote the bamboo greenhouse technology, making it a model for high-value vegetable production.

    Apart from making a profit, Ogbole believes low cost greenhouses would  create business opportunities for  young people and adults  going  into agro business ventures.

  • Nigeria an agric power house, says don

    Nigeria has been described as an untapped potential agricultural power house.

    The Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Dr. Samson Odedina, stated this during the lecture titled: Agricultural value chain job opportunities: Success stories among youths in Nigeria, at the investiture of the Award of Excellence in Food Sustainability, conferred on the Project Director, Cassava Adding Value for Africa (CAVA), Prof Kolawole Adebayo by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ogun State Chapter.

    He said there were investment opportunities for import substitution as Nigeria imports over $11 billion in wheat, rice, sugar and fish yearly.

    According to him, “import dependency is hurting farmers, displacing local production and creating rising unemployment”.

    On the targets for agricultural transformation in the country, he said 3.5 million jobs could be created within agricultural value chains.

    He said cassava, for example,  there are oportunities in stem production, weed control, root production, bulking agency, transport services, primary processing, and product development like starch, flour, confectioneries, bread, glue, beer as well as marketing.

    He added that there were opportunities, such as fingerlings production, feed production, processing, product development as well as marketing in aquatuture.

    In cocoa, seedling production, weed control, pest and diseases control services, bulking agency, processing, value addition, product development and marketing are areas the youth could exploit, he added.

    The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ololade Enikuomehin, said the event was laudable as it was meant to celebrate excellence and create a platform for motivation.

    “As a university, we believe in oneness. We believe in celebrating people that has made their mark and made it possible for others to be motivated. I want to thank the National Youth Council of Nigeria; Ogun State Chapter, for finding it fit to honour us as a university, as personified by Prof Kolawole Adebayo. He is a typical FUNAABite, having acquired all his relevant degrees in FUNAAB,”the Acting Vice-Chancellor added.

    Enikuomehin enjoined the youth to devote their energies to do well in whatever they to do, adding that when the youth spend quality time complaining about situations, they lose out on the opportunities around them.

    He urged them to take advantage of the opportunities in this country.

    He stressed that youths should channel their energies towards doing essential things.

  • C’River partners Arewa on cotton production

    C’River partners Arewa on cotton production

    The Cross River government said that it is partnering with the Arewa Cottons in Kaduna state to cultivate a cotton farm project in Woda, Yala Local Government Area of the state.

    Mr Christian Ita, Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.

    Ita said that the cotton project was designed to serve as feeder to the Calabar garment factory.

    He added that the 2,000 hectares Cotton farm was expected produce about 30 tonnes of raw cottons for the Factory before the state carnival celebration.

    He said that the farm would ensure that the Calabar Garment Factory operated at optimum capacity.

    “The garment factory needs raw materials to be fully operational and to meet World standard as well as pressures.

    “So, the cotton farm would provide this required raw materials, hence the need for the partnership”.

  • Towards more food production

    Towards more food production

    As Nigeria and other developing countries are expected to witness rapid urbanisation by 2050, experts say food security challenges will  be immense. They advised the government to target its strategies at ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition. But this can only be achieved when rural-urban linkages are strengthened. It was the main point during the launch of the International Food Policy Research Institute’s Global Food Policy Report  in Abuja. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

    As Nigeria  and other developing countries are expected        to witness rapid urbanisation by 2050, one major task will  be to produce enough food  for the teeming population, a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has said.

    The report noted that food security challenges would increase.

    IFPRI, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Bioversity International, and other partners, released the report.

    It examines the impact of rapid urban growth on food security and nutrition, saying that food systems would be transformed to improve the future.

    The report was unveiled at the International Conference in Abuja.

    In his opening remarks, IFPRI Director-General, Dr. Shenggen Fan, pointed out  that  increasing   urbanisation is making the goals of ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture difficult to achieve. For instance, he maintained that rapid urbanisation in Nigeria affect food security challenges.

    Fan added that Nigeria, China, and India were expected to have 900 million urban residents by 2050.

    He said: “Helping policy makers, city residents, and rural smallholders in the developing world understand this changing environment, and how to respond to it, is absolutely necessary to achieve the sustainable development agenda.’’

    He stressed that cities should provide opportunities for rural smallholders to raise their incomes by connecting to larger urban markets and more wealthy urban consumers.

    “Urbanisation is driving huge changes in how small farmers connect with markets to sell their goods, global diets, and the way that food systems are governed,” Fan said.

    He added: “For urban consumers small farmers can provide an important source of diverse and nutritious foods. But the links between these areas in the developing world are often weak or broken, hindering growth and development.’’

    Fan stressed that rural infrastructure, including quality rural and feeder roads, electricity, and storage facilities, were essential for pro-poor growth, agricultural development, and improved livelihoods.

    According to him, inadequate rural infrastructure leads to isolation of communities and is associated with poverty and poor nutrition.

    On rice, Fan observed  that 60 percent of rice purchased in urban areas  in Nigeria  is imported, despite significant efforts to boost domestic production, attributing this to a weak value chain for postharvest processing of domestic rice. He said had created inconsistencies in labelling, quality, and taste that turn off urban consumers.

    He said: “The country imports close to 60 percent of the crop, despite producing enough rice to feed its population. Urban residents cite inconsistencies in quality, labeling, and taste as their main concerns —problems that arise from poor vertical integration in the domestic rice value chain.

    “Lack of standard seeds and milling facilities infrastructure along the value chain has led to consumers’ preference to consume imported rice.”

    In addition, he noted that the rice sector is characterised by highly fragmented domestic value chain, and that small and medium sized rice millers with varying skills and degrees of access to information and services produce 80 percent of local rice.

    Commenting on the report, Senior Research Fellow and Programme Leader, IFPRI’s Nigeria Country Strategy Programme, Dr George Mavrotas, added: “Africapolis: Measuring Urbanisation Dynamics in West Africa (2016) recently identified 1,236 agglomerations in Nigeria, of which more than 80 percent had more than 10,000 inhabitants in 2010.

    “The report also re-assessed the level of urbanisation in Nigeria at 46 percent, up from 31 percent since the previous urbanisation report on Nigeria back in 2008. This presents an enormous challenge and many opportunities for food policy in the country in the years to come.”

    He maintained that strong rural-urban linkageswould help propel economic development and improvements in food security and nutrition.

    In his welcome remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media & Public Affairs, representing Niger North Senatorial District at the  National Assembly, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, congratulated IFPRI for putting together the report which emphasised the important links between food security and nutrition in an urbanising world.

    Besides Fan and Mavrotas, other panelists included Senior Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Andrew Kwasari; Deputy Director, Food and Nutrition, National Committee on Food and Nutrition, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Roselyn Gabriel; Senior Program Officer for Nutrition, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Office in Nigeria, Dr. Victor Ajieroh; and Nutrition Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Dr. Bamidele Davis Omotola.

    IFPRI is a United States-based international agricultural research established in 1975 to identify and analyse alternative national and international strategies and policies for meeting the food needs of the developing world, with particular emphasis on low-income countries and on the poorer groups in those countries.

  • NBMA seeks safe GMOs

    The Director General/CEO, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Rufus Ebegba, has called on  farmers to trust that the agency will ensure that genetically modified crops(GMOs) are safe before they are released into the market.

    The DG/CEO said this when he received members of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (Kaduna State Chapter) in his office in Abuja.

    Ebegba said: “ Farmers can be rest assured that the Nigerian government will not do anything that will cause economic harm to them,”

    Chairman,Kaduna State Chapter Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce,Mr. Matthew Obogbaimhe said the purpose of the visit was to learn more about the activities of the agency and seek for ways to collaborate and synergise with the agency.

    Obogbaimhe said: “We will sensitise our members about the mandate of the agency and enlighten them about issues of genetically modified organisms.”

    In another development, Dr Ebegha has urged Nigerians to always research information from credible sources  to be adequately informed and prevent misinformation.

    Ebegba said this while enlightening some workers and students of the Environmental Health Sciences Department of Kwara State University, who paid an educational visit to the agency.

    “The young ones here need to be informed accurately on the intricacies of biosafety regulation in the country and the role this agency plays.”

  • Group urges govt to boost organic food

    Group urges govt to boost organic food

    The Federal Government should increase organic foods, members of the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN) have said.

    They spoke at the National Organic Agriculture Business Summit in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    The event with the theme, “Global organic agriculture development: Unbundling abundant entrepreneurial opportunities for Nigerian youths” was sponsored by the Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative.

    NOAN, which drew about 120 participants from Nigeria and a delegate each from Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania, said the organic products market stood at $80b.

    Its President, Prof  Victor Olowe, said: “Organic agriculture has been adjudged the fastest-growing sector in agriculture in the world and presently, the global market for organic products stands at $80 billion. So, Nigeria must not be left out.”

    He said there were opportunities for youths in organic agriculture business.

    ‘’We must tap into direct and indirect organic agriculture value chain systems benefit for food security and job opportunities, and thus contribute to a healthy environment, and boost varieties for domestic and export trades.”

    Declaring open the summit, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, represented by the Southeast Regional Director in the ministry, Dr. Nnamdi Ibezim, said Nigeria must maintain standards to enhance the export of its produce to other countries.

    He said for Nigeria to sustain the feat it achieved with the yam export to Europe and America, it must imbibe best practices.

    “Nigeria has what it takes to produce the best, and as well be the best,” he said.

    He, however, urged the group to follow the rules in the practice, regulation and use of organic agriculture products and produce.

    The Country Coordinator, Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative, Nigeria, Dr. Olugbenga Ade Oluwa, urged Nigerians to focus on organic farming.

    “We are what we eat; this is why the (EOA) Initiative in Nigeria is using every opportunity to support and promote organic agriculture, to make sure that the health of Nigerians and its environment are safe.”

    He said the theme of the summit was to stress that the youth have significant roles to play in organic agriculture to ensure job opportunities for them to contribute to national development.

    “Engaging youths in organic agriculture can also help address food insecurity and contribute to improving the livelihoods of the stakeholders in the organic agriculture value chain,” he said.

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export, Afam Mbanefo, said everything was being done to make the state an organic food dependent one.

    “Anambra State is the front runner in terms of organic agriculture and that is why we are the first state in the country to start the export of organic vegetables.”

    Resource persons at the event included President, African Organic Network (AfrONet), Mr. Jordan Gama;Dr Casmir Ifeanyi of the Faculty of Veterinay Medicine, University of Abuja, Ms. Catherine Kibarah of Kates Organic, Kenya, Mr. Mohammed Oyelami of Ajibode Organic Farmers’ Group, Ibadan.

  • Future of Africa’s youths lies in agriculture – AFDB boss

    Future of Africa’s youths lies in agriculture – AFDB boss

    Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AFDB), on Monday said the future of Africa’s youths lies in unlocking the tremendous opportunities available in agriculture.

    Adesina said this at the inauguration  of  the Akin Adesina Agripreneurs Building which was held as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary  of  the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.

    He said: “I firmly believe the future millionaires and billionaires of Africa will come from the agriculture sector.

    “Africa is spending 35 billion dollars a year importing food. That is 35 billion dollars it should be keeping on the continent; that’s 35 billion dollars market  each year for its young people to tap into to create new wealth.

    “But to do that requires totally changing the lenses with which we look at agriculture.

    “Agriculture should no longer be seen as a way of life or a development sector, but rather as a business for wealth creation.”

    He said  many students  now  choose  to study agriculture as a last option

    “Our young ones have memories of deserted villages with poor farmers.

    “With a rapidly aging population of farmers, unless something is done, urgently, Africa will have no farmers left within 20 years.

    “The immediate action, therefore, must be to change the perception of agriculture.

    “We must make agriculture cool,” he said.

    He said youths’   involvement in agriculture was key to sustainable economic growth and  reduction of poverty across the continent.

    Adesina said that investing in the youth would protect the continent’s economy today and in the future.

    He called on African governments to prioritise investments in youths and their business.

    “The youths are like computer microchip processors inside of Africa’s economy. small, many, but if we’ll connected, will transform Africa’s economy with speed.

    “Over the next 30 years, Africa’s GDP is estimated to grow by 500 billion dollars a year, if it is  able to address jobs for its youth, develop its human capital and improve access to better healthcare for its youths.

    “GDP per capita in Africa will rise by 55 per cent in the next four years and by additional 55 per cent through 2050, if Africa provides jobs for its youths.

    “The youths in agriculture, the agripreneurs, have set sail to a better future. Let’s put wind behind their sails,” he said.

    The AFDB boss promised to  offer his unwavering support by working  tirelessly for agripreneurs across Africa.

    “It is my hope that Akin Adesina Agripreneurs Building will become the oyster from where the pearls of wealth in agriculture will develop.

    “The bank will be investing 24 billion dollars in agriculture over the next 10 years, with sharp focus on agricultural value chains, agribusiness and agroindustrial development, a key component of our strategy is to scale up support to agripreneurs, ” he said.

    In his remarks, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, the Director General of IITA, said that the building would be used to train African youths in order to help them unlock employment opportunities and drive development through agriculture.

    “Dr Adesina has staunchly promoted the cause of the African youths, especially strongly supporting the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) over the years.

    “Through his initiative,  Jobs for Youth in Africa, the AFDB in collaboration with IITA would be scaling out the IYA  model of youth engagement in agribusiness to create  eight million agribusiness jobs within five years for youths.

    “Over one billion dollars would be used to support agribusiness enterprises and jobs for young women and men who have embraced  agriculture as a business.

    “In appreciation of his continuous support and deep commitment of the youth, the IITA Board of Trustees, Management and staff, and the IITA Agripreneurs are preserving Dr Adesina’s legacy by naming the Youth Training Centre at IITA Headquarters after him,” he said.

  • AFDB to invest $24bn in agriculture – Adesina

    AFDB to invest $24bn in agriculture – Adesina

    Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AFDB) says  the bank will invest $24 billion in agriculture in Africa over the next 10 years.

    Adesina made the disclosure at the 50th anniversary celebration of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan on Monday.

    The AFDB president said the bank was committed  to turning  agriculture into a business across Africa and to ensure that the continent fed itself within the next 10 years.

    Adesina said that AFDB had decided to work with IITA to help drive Africa’s agricultural sector transformation and unlock  its full potentials.

    “At the core of this  is getting technologies to millions of farmers and the bank has developed the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) together with IITA and other centres as a technology platform.

    “ This is to help take high yielding technologies to farmers for an African green revolution.

    “AFDB and the World Bank expect to invest up to $800 million in TAAT which will be launched this year,’’ he said.

    Adesina said that the past 50 years of IITA had been full of successes, adding that the institution was run with transparency, honesty and integrity.

    The former agriculture minister said that IITA had contributed so much to agriculture across Africa and in Nigeria in particular.

    He said that the institute developed the maize varieties that transformed the savanna and humid zones.

    “Its cowpea varieties supply the beans on our markets and the soybeans varieties led to the soya beans revolution in Nigeria.

    “While its work on cassava and yam still form the core of Nigeria’s cassava and yams value chain transformation, IITA’s work on alley-farming  sparked global interest in sustainable agriculture.

    “Its landmark breakthrough on biological control which saved Africa from the devastating cassava mealy bug that had wiped out all its cassava was globally recognised,’’ Adesina said.

    In his address, the Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, highlighted the  successes recorded in the last 50 years.

    Sangina appreciated contributions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and retired  Gen. Yakubu Gowon to IITA in Nigeria.

    He said that the next agenda of the institute was to see Africa becoming a continent consuming what it produces  in agriculture.

    The director general  pointed out that 99 per cent of funds used in running IITA came from outside  the country  and urged Nigerians to invest in agriculture.

    According to Sangina, there will be serious crisis if funds from outside the country stopped  coming in.

  • How to tackle rising food prices, boost production

    How to tackle rising food prices, boost production

    Despite several pro-growth and food security policies and programmes, many Nigerians are malnourished. Reason: skyrocketing food prices. To address the problem, participants at a forum organised by Akindelano Legal Practitioners (ALP), Lagos, advocated the adoption of technologies that will make crops resilient to weather and boost farmers’ income. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Policy makers, experts and scientists have canvassed an urgent action to engage more youths in agricultural production to tackle unemployment and food insecurity.

    More than 100 delegates from various sectors gathered in Lagos to discuss approaches to boosting agricultural production.

    Organised by Akindelano Legal Practitioners (ALPs), under the theme: Transforming Nigeria’s agriculture and agro-allied industry, the seminar looked at the challenges  facing the industry and what should be done to overcome them.

    The forum brought together agribusinesses and farmers.

    Participants agreed that the focus should be on resource-efficient technologies that make agriculture a viable source of income. These technologies can include improved irrigation systems, appropriate fertiliser and pesticide application as well as other technologies to make high-value agricultural production possible.

    The Deputy Director-General for Partnerships for Delivery, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Dr Kenton Dashiell , said extreme poverty and hunger would be a thing of the past if farmers and  researchers were innovative in the development of a sustainable and efficient agricultural sector.

    According to him, the stagnant state of commercial seed production is a key reason why yields per hectare are lower here than what farmers outside Nigeria achieve.

    Dashiell said more work was needed to improve seed systems, through encouraging local research institutes and locally-owned seed companies, and installing mechanisms to reach farmers with the “improved” seeds.

    He said the researches on cassava, maize, sorghum and cow peas were great successes for the farmers.

    He said farmers have a chance to boost their food production from researches conducted by the institute.

    Dashiell said: “If we can successfully achieve youth engagement in the agricultural sector, we will be addressing food security as well as the growing youth unemployment.”

    According to him, it was  high time the government and the private sector found ways to engage more youths in agricultural production, which is not possible without the support of leaders.

    Together, he  noted, that IITA  was ready to work with organisations  to find solutions to engage and attract more youth to agriculture; and one of the key solutions is to promote farming as a sustainable means of income, providing youths with financial support, spreading awareness about agripreneurship, and equipping them with best farming technologies.

    Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo   said agriculture, and food processing sector should be efficient in terms of logistics, transit costs and infrastructure to be competitive. The proximity to various transportation platforms, according to her, would provide necessary infrastructure facilities and hinterland connectivity, thus ensuring a reduction in logistics costs.

    Mrs. Adebajo  maintained that  growing interest in Ogun  as a  business destination had led to more freight throughput and placed more pressure on its humble infrastructure. So, every  hand is on deck to address  inadequate infrastructure and high logistics costs which could hold back  progress.

    Vice President Corporate & Government Relations, Olam Nigeria, Ade Adefeko, urged farmers to step up efforts  towards improving competitiveness and productivity.

    Adefeko said Olam was investing $150 million in two state-of-the-art animal feed mills, poultry breeding farms and a hatchery to produce day-old-chicks in Nigeria.

    Of the $150 million, $100 million has been committed to building  facilities in Kaduna State while the balance will be invested in an integrated poultry and fish feed mill in Kwara State.

    Besides, there is also an ongoing  10,000-hectare rice farm and mill in Nasarawa State.

    Partner, Business Development and Research Department, ALP, John Delano said the firm’s seminar series was conceived in 2012 as a forum for discourse about commercial, practical and legal issues facing businesses as Nigeria seeks to navigate its way into a modern economy.

    Meanwhile, food prices  has  increased by 19.91 per cent year-on-year in June compared to a 19.27 per cent in May, according to statistics provided by  trading economics.com.

    The study showed that Nigeria has recorded the highest food inflation this year. Since February 2009, costs rose faster for meat, bread and cereals, fish, potatoes, yam and other tubers, oils and fats, milk, cheese, eggs, coffee, tea and cocoa.

    It said food inflation averaged 11.24 per cent from 1996 until this year, reaching an all-time high of 39.54 percent in September 2001 and a record low of -17.50 percent in January  2000.

    Similarly, consumer prices increased 16.10 per cent year-on-year in June, the least in 13 months, compared to 16.25 per cent in May.

    The study also added that consumer prices increased by 16.25 percent year-on-year in May, easing from a 17.24 per cent rise in the previous month.

    In addition, inflation rate fell for the fourth straight month to the lowest in 12 months, led by a general slowdown in prices.

    Yearly core inflation rate was 13.02 per cent, the lowest since March last year.

    Monthly, consumer prices increased 1.88 per cent.

    According to experts, food prices have risen at their fastest pace for more than three years as retailers passed on surging costs.

    Consequently, food retailers and restaurants have been grappling with rising cost from naira’s plunge in value, which makes it more expensive to import.

    It was learnt that cost of living hit high roofs as prices of food became all time astronomical, with increase in price climbing more than 200 per cent of their prices.

    For instance,  a bag  of 50kg  rice still sells for N18,000, despite efforts to bring it down  to  N13,000.

    A food seller, Abia Oyeneka,  lamented that the increase of food prices is beginning to be  worrisome.

    Reacting to this, two  experts, Dr  Paul Ilona and Dr  Olufemi Oladunni  called  for measures  to contain inflationary pressure with food price prices rising at their fastest pace in more than two years.

    According to them,price increases are the main economic problem in the country.

    Ilona, Country Manager, Harvest Plus Nigeria, called for intervention to tame inflation.

    Others steps, he mentioned, include price controls, especially on  staple food items, such as rice and garri.

    Oladunni, Acting Executive Director, Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State, noted that increased demand for food items was pushing up prices.

    He  stressed the need to  encourage more Nigerians to invest in agriculture to contain inflation.

    According to him, the  whole issue of food price management is essentially a question of ensuring adequate supplies and removing bottlenecks in distribution.

     

  • Cassava diseases decrease productivity, say experts

    Farmers and researchers are lamenting low cassava productivity attributed to the impact of major diseases such as Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and Cassava Brown Steak Disease (CBSD).

    CBSD leads to root rot and  shows in yellowing and wrinkled leaves.

    Its attack can  cause  losses of up to 100 per cent  and  reduce the crop’s market value.

    According to experts,  CBSD has become an extremely serious constraint to cassava production.

    Addressing a Cassava Stakeholders’ Workshop organised by Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, the team leader of West Africa Virus Epidemiology (WAVE), Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, noted  that cassava, a major root crop is at  risk  with threats of possible outbreak of CBSD, if proactive measures are not put in place fast.

    He described   CBSD as a  dangerous plant disease,because  of  the impact it can have on food and economic security.

    According to him, Nigeria’s  cassava is vulnerable to CBSD  and a broad range of diseases as well as less known viral strains across tropical cassava-growing regions.

    He said WAVE  aims to tackle issues of cassava viral diseases which is currently ravaging the sector.

    He said:  “Although CBSD has not been reported in Nigeria, it has invaded Uganda.In view of Nigeria’s position as the world’s leading cassava producer, the accidental introduction of the disease to Nigeria could cause a devastating food crisis with severe consequences on the economy.”

    He said the aim of the sensitisation was  to ensure a clear understanding of the virus threat .

    On the control of the virus, he  noted that the use of uninfected planting materials was  important and also the use of resistant cassava varieties.

    The National President, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), Mr Segun Adewunmi, says Nigeria can save N2 trillion from the importation of wheat, if appropriate measures are put in place to boost cassava cultivation.

    He said: “Cassava can actually trigger massive industrial revolution if the Federal Government can address challenges confronting the planting of cassava in the country.

    “There are over 20 products that could be exacted from cassava; Products such as  ethanol, industrial starch, glucose syrup and sweetener were incidental raw materials for numerous utility items with limitless market potential,’’ he said.

    He advised the Federal Government to support farmers by providing sufficient funds that could be used in carrying out research in tackling virus diseases ravaging cassava.

    The institution’s Vice-Chancellor,  Prof. Aderemi Atayero urged the government to work with farmers to reduce food prices amid fears many more people are dropping below the poverty line.

    Atayero,who spoke through the  Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof  Shalom Nwodo Chinedu noted that  increase in the price of  staple items such as garri.

    For instance, the don noted that the price of a bowl of garri has risen to N1000, which made it difficult for more families with less financial means to meet their basic needs.

    According to him, if the price of garri and other food items continue to rise, it will adds an extra burden on families who are struggling to meet other bills.

    He urged the government to  find ways to keep food costs down until the struggling economy get back on track.

    Team Leader, WAVE for Root and Tuber Crops of the university, Dr Angela Eni,  stressed the need to control  diseases affecting cassava productivity .

    Her words: “The kind of yield farmers get from cassava could provide food for over 800 million Africans.”

    Mrs Eni, an Associate Professor of Virolgy in the Department of Biological Sciences, who convened  the workshop, said  currently the first phase of the project was to address virus diseases affecting cassava productivity.

    Mrs Eni said: ”WAVE is preparing to respond rapidly in case the cassava brown stream virus spread to West African countries so that we do not have the repeat of Ebola crises.’’

    She added that the WAVE team will also share its major findings so far in each of its mandate States. Running concurrently in six West African Countries – Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’ Ivoire and Burkina Faso – the primary aim of the WAVE project is to work with cassava farmers and relevant stakeholders to develop a holistic strategy for improved cassava productivity.

    The Covenant University hub of the project has the mandate to undertake the project activities in the Southwestern and Northcentral states of Nigeria.