The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • Path to economic growth, by Ooni, others

    Path to economic growth, by Ooni, others

    How can Nigeria remain competitive in food  production? It is by improving supply, say experts.

    They spoke at the second  Mike Omotosho Annual Lecture in Abuja. The event had as theme: “Increased agricultural productivity for sustainable economic growth”.

    They   unfolded an agenda for  strengthening public and market institutions to achieve the goals for the nation ’s agricultural system.

    Delivering a keynote address at the event, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, called on Nigerians to return to agriculture, saying it is the only sustainable business capable of ending the recession in the country.

    According to the monarch, “you don’t need dollars to plant crops. Our land is fertile and you don’t even need to apply fertiliser in some places, so let us go back to the farm”.

    He said: “God has endowed Nigeria with the best weather in the world and the country’s agricultural products – cocoa, banana, plantain, vegetables, snails etc. are the best.”  He added that there were many areas to invest in agriculture.

    According to Oba Ogunwusi, agriculture provides the largest employment platform, adding that thousands of youths have been brought back to farms and there is peace in his kingdom.

    He urged Nigerians to promote the country’s products, stop blaming the government and do something to help themselves and the nation.

    All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) President, Kabir Ibrahim, who noted that  agriculture policies worked more in rhetorics than reality, said for the sector to perform effectively, 10 per cent  budgetary allocation as stipulated by the Maputo Declaration, should be adhered to.

    He said an enabling environment for production and value addition should be created for actors in the entire value chain to increase production and reduce wastage of farm produce.

    He urged the government to deploy effective combination of better incentives and streamlined services to stimulate  greater agricultural growth, create and maintain enabling environment for agribusiness and make the modernisation of the agro-food system smoother.

    Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG)Vice-President, Emmanuel Ijewere, urged stakeholders to carry out research on post-harvest losses.

    He called on the government to  provide quality seeds, fertiliser and other farm inputs to boost agricultural production.

    Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) Registrar, Prof. Eustace Iyayi, said research, proper policy co-ordination, sincerity and youth empowerment were strong ingredients for boosting agriculture production in the country.

    For him, attracting youths to the sector by transforming it into a business and offering them new avenues and opportunities to engage the agriculture value chain should be the focus of the government.

    He stressed the need to tackle problems associated with production through research.

    Fresh Direct Produce and Agro-Allied Services Chief Executive,  Oluwayimika Angel Adelaja, said inclusive and demand-driven innovation were tools that would  help farmers in production and marketing of their produce.

    According to her, empowering youths  to get  involved  in  agro-ventures offers lots of scope for entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.

    Experts from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Bank of Industry (BoI), Dr. Olasupo Musa and Mr. Cyril Anyanwu, agreed that agriculture needed proper financing, adding that their  banks were doing a lot to boost funding for farming and food processing.

    Earlier,  Mike Omotosho Foundation founder,  Dr. Mike Omotosho,  said  there was urgent need for increased agricultural productivity for local  consumption and export.

    Co-Chair of the occasion, Prof. Jacob Olupona, said the neglect of agriculture drove the nation to  recession, calling for agricultural revolution and farmers’ empowerment.

  • How to prevent bird flu spread, by don

    How to prevent bird flu spread, by don

    Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) Registrar Prof. Eustace Ayemere Iyayi has urged local authorities to adopt precautionary measures against the spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu.

    He called for improved supervision, investigation and early discovery of all bird flu outbreaks.

    Speaking with The Nation, following the confirmation of the flu in some parts of the country, he called for the prevention of poultry smuggling through the border.

    Iyayi, the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, said NIAS  woud intensify its campaigns for the of those living in high-risk areas.

    He called on operators and animal health authorities to focus on management and supervision and keep a close tab on vulnerable residents.

    Meanwhile, new strain of bird flu has entered the country and has spread to 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with over 3.5 million birds affected.

    To prevent the spread of the disease into their countries, Nigeria’s neighbours have proposed a ban on poultry and poultry products from Nigeria.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made this known in Abuja at a  meeting with commissioners for agriculture/livestock, states directors of veterinary services and major stakeholders in the poultry industry.

    He explained that the first outbreak of bird flu was reported in the country in 2006 and spanned  2008, but that it was eradicated through the World Bank-sponsored project and support from the country’s development partners.

    The minister said: “The disease is trans-boundary in nature and also trade-limiting; some of our neighbouring countries have proposed to ban poultry and poultry products from Nigeria. This may undesirably lead to an egg glut in the country.”

    Ogbeh said there were huge and unacceptable losses in the poultry industry and the nation as a whole, urging the commissioners to retrace their steps to provide safe food for Nigerians as well as ensure national self-sufficiency in food production.

    He noted that aside paucity of funds, other challenges that led to the outbreak of the disease were lack of compliance with on-farm quarantine measures and movement restriction; violation of bio-safety measures leading to rapid spread of the disease; and clustering of poultry farmers with limited adherence to hygienic measures.

  • Foundation gives farmers N100m loan

    An industrialist, Chief Chamberlin Okechukwu Adiaso, has  given a N100million loan to farmers in Abia State.

    Adiaso, Mayfair Project Ltd Managing Director, said the loan was disbursed through the Nma Abia Co-operative Society.

    He spoke during opening of an hospital in honour of his mother Mercy Adiaso in Obieketa autonomous community in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state under the auspices of this foundation.

    He said: “I am the initiator of Nma Abia. We gave out agricultural loans free of interest in 2016. There are so many young men and women, who are loitering the streets because they have no one who can give them even N20, 000 to support their education. We have set up an educational scheme that cuts across the length and breadth of Abia State.

    ‘’Apart from giving out agricultural loans and scholarships, I have also been engaged in upgrading infrastructure in the rural communities. I started grading roads in my local government area and beyond to help open up the rural areas and create access to the villages.’’

    Hailing Adiaso for the gesture,  Think Nigeria First Initiative Director-General, Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni, urged states to emulate him to develop their communities.

    He urged All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Ukwa Ngwa Local Government Area to imbibe President President Muhammadu Buhari’s change mantra by electing incorruptible leaders.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Chairman in the state Chief Allen Nwachukwu praised Chief Adiaso for his empowerment of less privileged across the state.

    He said Adiaso touched many lives by donating N100 million for agricultural soft loans.

    The traditional ruler of Obieketa autonomous community, Eze Charles Chukwudinma, thanked  Adiaso for grading all the roads in the local government and beyond.

    The Diocesan Bishop of Ngwa Central Diocese Rev. Prince Uwaomakalu said Adiaso’s late mother, was a merciful woman, was kind to the church, ministers and expectant mothers. He said her maternity home should be named Mercy Maternity Home.

  • IITA, others join forces to fight viral diseases in crops

    IITA, others join forces to fight viral diseases in crops

    Farmers and scientists are worried over the growing threat of pets and diseases to food security.

    Globally, biological threats caused by pests and diseases in plants account for about 40 per cent loss in global production.

    Experts say the problem may get worse.

    A World Bank consultant , Prof Abel Ogunwale, said  pests and  diseases challenge crop producers, and called for recommendations on how farmers could manage obstacles to crops as the planting season begins.

    This, he said, was because climate change is going to aggravate the impact of plant pests and diseases on  food production across the nation, and the steps must be taken  to control and improve  monitoring and evaluation  of  infestations to prevent crop damage.

    According to him, the government should work with farmers to strengthen the  monitoring and recording of pests to alert authorities to take early action. He explained that farmers know how to handle the threats by pests and diseases.

    Meanwhile, a  natural product called Aflasafe, which can reduce contamination from aflatoxin, a silent killer, would soon be available in at least 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

    More than 4.5 billion people in  developing countries are exposed to aflatoxins, carcinogenic poisons produced by a fungus that contaminates crops.

    Aflasafe was developed by International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service (USDAARS), and national partners.

    So far, the product reportedly  has achieved about 98 per cent efficacy in reducing grain contamination on the fields and stores of farmers where aflasafe products are registered or in the process of becoming nationally registered.

    Following the success of aflasafe—the first indigenous bio-control innovation for the prevention of aflatoxin contamination on the fields and store houses of maize and groundnut farmers in Africa, IITA is set to enable commercialisation of the technology, to ensure that farmers in need of the product have access to it.

    The new aflasafe technology transfer and commercialisation project (TTC), funded by a $20 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID, was launched last December to be implemented in countries, such as Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

    “To get aflasafe to the masses, we need many companies, millions of small-scale farmers, and distributors, who know what aflasafe can do to apply it. IITA is excited because the institute is on the edge of reaching this goal,” IITA Deputy Director-General, Partnerships for Delivery, Kenton Dashiell, said.

    Corroborating the need to work with private businesses in getting the technology out, IITA Plant Pathologist and leader of the Africa-wide aflasafe initiative, Ranajit Bandyopadhyay,  who has worked on the product for more than a decade, noted: “This product is indigenous. Developing the technology was not difficult, taking it out to the end users is the challenge; therefore, partnership is very crucial.”

    ATTC Managing Director Abdou Konlambigue said the project was designed to identify strategic options for partnerships with private companies, and government entities, execute those partnerships, and help ensure that aflasafe reaches millions of farmers throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

  • Transforming agric via local technology

    Transforming agric via local technology

    For many farmers, affordable machines is a major problem. At the moment, some Nigerians are producing these machines in large scale to help small and large scale farmers meet the challenge of food production. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    One of the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s policies is to  boost agricultural productivity. While production rose  sharply in recent months, coverage in terms of acreage and speed of processing, is still significantly lower than global standards.

    Population growth, rising incomes, and dietary changes are exerting an immense demand pressure on agriculture.Though blessed with large arable land and incredible biodiversity, Nigeria’s agriculture is facing challenges in the resources it requires to deliver interms of growth in supply.

    Experts believe farming can made more profitable, if agricultural technology is increased.

    One of them is the Group Managing Director,  Niji Group, Kolawole  Adeniji. The dream of stakeholders, such as Adeniyi, is an agriculture ecosystem, encompassing, agri-chemicals,agri-technology, agricultural equipment, biotechnology and organic foods.

    He  emphasised the need for farmers to move towards mechanisation, adding that future adoption of agricultural technology and innovations is capable of revolutionising the sector.

    However, a series of agricultural innovations, including use of advanced machinery, chemical fertilisers and hybrid seeds is helping to increase Nigeria’s agricultural productivity.

    Adeniji is a farm mechanisation and automation entrepreneur  trying to fundamentally improve agriculture. He is a trained mechanical engineering technologist with over 27 years’experience working on diverse agro-allied projects across Nigeria and Africa. He designs and manufactures innovative agricultural machines for farmers. Within the industry, he is regarded as a maverick who likes to try everything that challenges his skills and wits.

    He is determined to not only mechanise agriculture, but also take his skills and know-how to the global arena. The Niji Group he  founded in 1991 has  grown into a successful and award-winning supplier of metal fabricating machines and services.

    These include packaging machine, hydraulic-presser, hammer mill, grater,automatic gari fryer, hydro-cyclone, automated-seive, bone crusher, cooling-bowl,cooling tablefor plantain,flash dryer,filter-press,fish-smoker,horizontal peeler centrifuge, shellers, water pumps, welding machines, ox-carts, produce driers, grain cleaners, cassava chipping machines and any other post-harvest handling equipment.

    His list of food and agro processing plants that he can fabricate for  food entrepreneurs include cassava starch, gari processing,plantain chips,yam flour and fufu processing.

    Kolawole attributes his success to the delligence and commitment of his staff, adding that they have helped to maximise fabricating technology to meet customers’ demands.

    He ploughed back his initial profit from the business into acquiring  key equipment to support production of newer and more complex fabrications.

    Having made a mark in machine fabrication, Kolawole established Niji Farms and Allied Services Limited,  which is spearheading green revolution with large farm land located at Ilero in Kajola Local Government of Oyo State.

    IITA and the Niji Lukas Group (Nigeria) have been collaborating on cassava processing machine design, fabrication testing and commercialisation. Niji Lukas serves as a planting material grower and supplier to HarvestPlus, a part of the CGIAR Research Programme on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH) aimed at developing and promoting biofortified food crops.

    The farm has planted 225 acres of Vitamin A cassava including foundation seeds. Varieties include the TME Series 419, 581 and 30572. Other crops planted are 30,000 stands of yam and 3000 suckers of plantain.

    Emmanuel  Ntiti, based in Calabar, the Cross River State capital,  has been involved in a range of interventions— efficient farm and water management, to address the problem of farm productivity, farm machinery workshop. He is a prominent stakeholder in the agro-allied machinery and equipment fabrication in state. His concern is that lack of technology-based intervention in food and agribusiness has lead to low productivity and severe post-harvest losses.

    As Head of Department, Government Technical School, Calabar, Ntiti  has  fabricated a machine for extraction of kernel oil,  small-scale palm oil mill,processing of  cassava and garri and recovery of oil s from oilseeds  and machinery for bulk production of food items.

    He has developed a lot of equipment and machinery leading to productivity enhancement in the agricultural and the post-harvest processing sectors. He runs a small scale workshop and has developed some user-friendly farm operation tools. His machines can be operated with diesel and petrol. They are designed for simple, quick and safe installation, ensuring great value and quick turnaround.

    For now, the food processing sector, is  a high priority area for him, as  the sector is also gaining importance. Since the market of food processing industries comprises small and marginal players, Ntiti  is working on machines for cassava and grain processors.

    He gets his jobs through recommendations of users. He aims to improve mechanisation at farms with the use of high quality farm equipment.

    For outstanding work, Ntiti has been recognised by  the Cross River State Government.

    While efforts, such as introduction of high-yielding varieties and expansion of irrigated area have played a crucial role in achieving the goal of food self-sufficiency in the past, Ntiti believes demand for food, requires building efficiencies in agriculture through efficient mechanised cultivation to facilitate timely, precise and scientific farm operations, increasing farm input and labour use efficiency.

    A lot of local fabricators  are working  on food processing machinery comes to meet the demands of companies that produce beverages, bakery items, frozen food, fruit, meat, poultry, snack food, vegetables and other edibles across the country.

    Such machines include dryers, feeders, fryers, grinders, mixers, roasters, separators, slicers and ovens.

    Local institutions have recorded technological advancements in cutting, slicing and grinding.

    They are creating  standard design products that meet customers’  needs.

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) has been key to a robust transformation in the food system, expanded local agro-industry and value addition as well as improved management of resources for sustainable agricultural production.

  • Stakeholders seek improved pre-shipment inspection of agro exports

    Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have urged the Federal Government to support pre-shipment inspection agencies to reduce rejection of the nation’s agro exports.

    The list of goods subject to inspections and quality testing is extensive, including food and agricultural products.

    They said providing an enabling environment for pre-shipment inspections is one of the corrective measures which need to be taken for compliance as their  activities  take place, prior to shipment to  export destination. Pre-shipment inspections are allowable under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), as long as the requirements in the WTO Agreement on Pre-shipment Inspections are met – non-discrimination, transparency and review and appeals processes.

    Cocoa Association of Nigeria President, Mr. Sayina Riman, said such inspections  would ensure that the quality and safety of produce are in line with the domestic regulations of the importing country.

    He said  non-payment of of  pre-shipment inspection agencies  would affect  the growth of agro exports. He noted that the agencies have, since inception, demonstrated commitment and introduced sanity into non-oil export documentation in Nigeria. The Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) has also contributed significantly to the nation’s earnings.

    Riman said a labourer deserved his wages. He called on the Minister of Finance to pay the agencies without further delay. “What we are seeing is not right. A labourer deserves his wages. The minister should pay these companies to forestall crisis in the non-oil sector, Riman. said.

    A Cocoa Consultant and Chief Executive of the Centre for Cocoa Development Initiatives, Mr. Robo Adhuze noted that an important aspect about agro produce to be exported is compulsory quality control and pre-shipment inspection.

    To this end, countries revert to pre-shipment inspections to guard their consumers and domestic producers against rejection at export destination due to capacity constraints relating to domestic standards and standard authorities and the lack of implementation of internationally accepted standards in the agric sector.

  • Kano’s rice production up by 95 per cent, says Ganduje

    Rice produced by farmers in Kano State rose from 692, 481 tonnes to 1, 551, 720 tonnes last year, representing an increase of about 95.2 percent, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said.

    The governor dropped the hint  during an interactive session on loan recovery, with farmers on the Central Bank of Nigeria/Bank of Agriculture/Kano State Rice Anchor – Borrowers Programme, at Kano Seed Processing Centre, Kadawa, Garun Malam Local Government area, last Saturday.

    He said: “Wheat production in the state increased from 9, 495, 024 tonnes in 2015 to 17, 717, 000 tonnes in 2016, showing a swell of 84 percent.”

    Also,Ganduje said the bumper harvest recorded last year in Kano showed a significant increase in the production of other commodities, such as maize, millet, groundnut and cow peas, adding that with the government’s commitment, barring unanticipated developments, the output would be multiplied this year.

    On impediments to the farmers’ productivity, the governor said: “I have noticed that there are two major issues in Anchor-Borrower Programme.’’

    According to him, farmers were complaining that they are not getting the assistance when they needed it,  and that this was constituting a major problem and secondly, ‘’those who are involved in the scheme (CBN and BOA) are complaining that farmers are not paying back what has been given to them”.

    He promised that these issues, as well as that of availability of input would be addressed, between the government and the banks involved, so as to ensure that farmers get appropriate assistance and other required intervention duly.

    The governor directed the supplier providing the government with fertiliser to provide the commodity to the farmers from yesterday  (Sunday), assuring that anything the farmers need would be provided to them to ensure a hitch-free productivity.

    However, Ganduje urged beneficiaries of the CBN/BOA/Kano state Rice Anchor-Borrowers Programme to ensure that they repay the loan given them accordingly, since it is a revolving facility that will pave way for other farmers to benefit, pointing out  that the state is poised to increase its rice production to about half of the country’s rice requirement this year.

    He maintained that his administration would concentrate more on agriculture this year to ensure multiplication of farmers output, pointing out that the administration recognises the fact that it must work hard to improve capacity of farmers and address the many factors that contribute to their minimal productivity.

    “Economic realities have shown that Nigeria’s future prosperity depends on investment in our farmers, to enable them become well prepared to revamp food productivity, as oil money is no longer coming in as usual”, the governor added.

  • CBN, Sokoto to spend N1.12bn on wheat farming

    CBN, Sokoto to spend N1.12bn on wheat farming

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Sokoto State Government had spent over N1.12 billion on the 2016/2017 Anchor Borrowers Wheat Farming Programme, an Official said in Sokoto on Thursday.

    The Chairman of the Framework Committee on Agricultural Development in the State, Alhaji Chiso Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Abdullahi, a former Deputy Governor of the state, said that out of the amount, the apex bank contributed about N990 million, while the state government provided over N125 million.

    According to him, no fewer than 4,305 farmers are benefiting from the gesture for the season that commenced Nov. 2016 and will end in the first week of Feb. 2017.

    ”The state government had since distributed over 1500 bags of wheat seeds free to the farmers across the state.

    ”In the same vein, the state government had sold additional 2,094 bags of wheat seeds to the farmers, with each bag bought at N 35,000 and sold at N 18,219.

    ”The government had also given assorted fertilisers to the farmers at highly subsidised rates as well as other farm inputs,” he said.

    The chairman further said that the farmers had been fully trained, while adequate extension officers were provided for them, with each farmer billed to get a package of N 235,000 in cash and kind.

    He further stated that both the CBN and the state government have made adequate arrangements to provide all the logistics needed for the success of the programme.

    Abdullahi added that the state government has also bought 3,000 water pumps and sold to tomatoes farmers at highly subsidised prices.

    He said that each water pump was bought at N42, 000 and sold to the beneficiaries at N10, 000.

    ”In the same vein, the state government had bought 6,000 bags of fertilisers for sale to the tomatoes farmers at subsidised prices.

    ” The state government has also concluded arrangements to establish a mini-tomatoes paste production company in the state.

    ”All these are being done in the bid to have more value addition, reduce poverty and unemployment, curb post-harvest losses and boost food security in the state,” Abdullahi said.

  • Here comes Nigeria’s rice revolution

    Here comes Nigeria’s rice revolution

    The Federal Government’s economic diversification efforts in the agric sector appear to be yielding dividends. With the harvest of local rice, especially by Lagos and Kebbi states, the prices of the staple food have dipped, raising the hope that the ‘rice revolution’ will manifest this year, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Rice is a staple food in Nigeria. But it’s not just a food that satisfies hunger, it enriches meals and cultures of many Nigerians.

    It was, however,  not a surprise that many  Nigerians were  worried  when the price of rice rose sharply from N10,000 second quarter to about N26,000 towards the end of  the last quarter. The spike in rice prices sent shockwaves around the country. The price hike  caused many people to panic. Expectedly, perhaps, as more than half of the nation’s population depends on rice for food, most of them the poorest of the poor.

    At N18, 000 per bag, the price of  rice was high enough to affect even the middle class.

    A rice seller, Onyeka Abia, in Somolu expressed concern that the  price hike would make consumers pay more for a cup of the staple. The situation was  damaging government’s  public support as more Nigerians became agitated since they could no longer afford rice. The situation was worsened by the enforcement of the  ban on rice importation through the land borders.

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) said rice importation through land borders remained banned and prohibited, warning that those caught violating the law would be arrested and prosecuted. The Service said those coming into the country legitimately through the seaports, where proper duties and extant charges are paid, will continue through the end of last year.

    The Comptroller-General, NCS had also revealed that 24.992 metric tonnes of rice valued at N2.34 billion were imported between October 2015 and March 2016 before the ban. The reduced rice supplies from land importation plus the rising demand for the staple, affected its price. This further created artificial crisis, which jerked up its price. Some blamed inflation for the crisis, emphasising the role of a plummeting naira in a free market.

    Indeed, the  falling value of the naira was partly causing the price, not only of rice, but practically food stuff to skyrocket.

    According to stakeholders, the fuel price made production and distribution of goods and services expensive.

    A bag of rice that  sold at N11,000 in January, six months after,  sold at N13,000 through the borders.

    Abia noted that spiraling rice prices have left Nigerians facing one of their worst food crisis.

    Over the year, rice price eventually hit N27,000 a bag , while there has been no corresponding increase in wages.

    Once self-sufficient in rice, Nigeria was listed as one of the world’s top importer of milled rice.With rice stocks low, some rice traders expressed fears of being caught out by price hike.

    Some rice sellers such as Abia complained that they would prefer to have stable prices than high prices. Rice prices increased by more than 50 per cent last year. By September, he was buying a bag of rice at N17, 000. The situation made rice shops around Shomolu the target of late night robberies with a rice seller around Pedro, Shomolu losing 57 bags in one robbery.

    Consequently, rice sellers had  to cut stocks to prevent a situation  where they would lose more when the night thieves struck.

    Few months to the end of the year, Customs officials barged into rice traders’ warehouses  and markets  suspected  of recieving smuggled products such as rice.

    But the government, highly conscious of social or political tensions caused by food inflation, moved to protect consumers by increasing local production. Instead of importing rice, the government worked towards supporting farmers to increase local production. The eat-local-rice policy was defended by the farming community. Many Nigerians also agreed that home-grown rice tastes best.

    Since November last year, national rice production  has increased tremendously over the past few weeks, improving the nation’s food security.

    At the same time, the gains in production, which resulted in the boost to rice supply, have made the commodity much cheaper and ultimately less profitable, particularly for small farmers.

    The price of rice for the first time went than to between N12,000 and N13,000.

    The government came up with short and long-term measures to increase rice cultivation by  providing soft loans for farmers, cooperatives and rice traders through the Central  Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrowers programme. There were  arrangements to facilitate business-matching for farmers to meet with millers and  rice sales via a number of methods. Rice farmers in Plateau were  optimistic of a bumper harvest last year with at least, one million tonnes.

    The Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RiFAN), Plateau State Chapter,  Mr Joshua Bitrus, said harvest was  bountiful  from what they saw on ground,  as such they expected nothing less than one million tonnes of rice in the state.

    He lauded the efforts of the Federal Government to boost rice production and declared that rice production would triple in Plateau, when the Anchor Borrowers Scheme takes off. The Anchor Borrowers Scheme, initiated by the CBN, which will be test-run in Plateau during the dry season farming.

    A total of 1,065 hectares of land across the state have been identified, and they are areas close to water because water is crucial to rice farming. According to him, the success of  the pilot scheme will boost farmers’ morale and shore up interest in the scheme. The ban on importation of rice would also encourage the local farmer. He hoped that the price would remain at that level of N14000/50 kgs than the earlier price of N23000/50 kgs, so that farmers could get something reasonable for their efforts and be encouraged to cultivate more in coming years.

    Also, the Federal Government was planning in excess of 1.8 hectares of rice and wheat farmers for plantation in Jigawa state for the 2016  dry season. About 90,000 farmers were targeted for rice production  early this year.

    The  Federal Government would provide seeds, fertiliser and herbicide to the farmers at subsidised rates. Each farmer would be given three bags of fertilisers – two NPK and one Urea (50 kilogrammes) apart from 50 kilogrammes of seeds and two and a half litres of herbicide. With the support coming from the Anchor Borrowers programme, stakeholders expect irrigated rice cultivation to  reach  its pinnacle this year. The expectations are that almost all key rice producing states will receive ample rainfall.

    With new varieties being released to farmers, farmers expect good  harvest more than last year. As an important contribution to rice cultivation, stakeholders expect Lagos and Kebbi rice partnership to increase uptake and growth of rice and the potential to improve rice yields.

    Results have shown that Lagos and Kebbi states’ participation is achieving sustainable rice production.

    Farmers said rising imported rice prices were  putting pressure on the nation’s budget.

    Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode,  said  the  future of Nigeria rests on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two states  on rice production.

    In addition, it has been stated that both Kebbi and Lagos have entered an agreement to collaborate in using their comparative advantages to expand the cultivation and processing of rice and agricultural products too.

    “In fact, it is believed that we should be able to feed ourselves and Kebbi State being the largest producer of rice and Lagos being the largest consumer, we thought it may synergise to reduce the importation of rice in the country,” he said.

    President, Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN),  Dr  Victor Iyama, observed that Nigeria  is a good example of a country that was pushed to ignore its own food production, including rice.

    He said to be continuously dependent on rice imports was a perfect recipe for crisis. Iyama believed high-yield varieties and irrigation systems would lead to increased output of the staple grain. He expects government and the private sector to invest in  more efficient machines and farming methods, better irrigation systems, and new, more resilient and higher yielding varieties of rice to produce more of the primary staple with less cost in time and effort.

    Iyama said rice production is open to mechanisation and high-yielding strains that may be deployed. It may be one of the reasons why rice prices would not go up in tandem with some other commodities.

    One of the difficulties associated with growing rice is that a lot of water is required, using the traditional method for rice paddies.

    Iyama said this is not going to be an issue as farmers can dig boreholes to cope with the challenge of large water use. He doesn’t believe   rice fields have to be flooded with water every day to give better yields.  Iyama, a rice farmer, maintained that the best strategy for keeping the price of rice low was to ensure that production increased faster than demand.

    According to him, rice production could be increased by expanding cultivation and encouraging young people get involved in planting rice, which takes four months before harvest. He explained that increased investment would make rice markets more efficient, helping to bring rice prices down.

    Speaking with The Nation, Kebbi Chairman, Rice Farmers’ Association, Alhaji Sahabi Augie said a N12,000 per bag price of rice will go up till April when farmers will make the first harvest of the year.

    According to him, Nigeria has lots of potential growth in rice production. He  said Nigeria could be self-sufficient in rice production if there was enough support for those  in rice business. In the last couple of years, however, rains have become more unpredictable and drought has emerged as a growing concern in the northern part of the country.

    In response, the various governments have released drought-tolerant rice varieties that can be used in rainfed lowlands. Meanwhile, there are fears food prices are expected to remain volatile, though output is likely to grow later this year as farmers plant additional crops.

  • Sector still ‘green’ despite slow growth

    Sector still ‘green’ despite slow growth

     Faced with dwindling oil revenue, the nation is gradually returning to agriculture. In the outgoing year, many states collaborated in agricultural ventures, which are now yielding dividends. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

    It was another tough year for the economy.

    Economic growth was slower.  The main reasons for the relative slow down are not unique to Nigeria.The economy suffered from dwindling oil price, slowdown in infrastructural development, stagnation in improving power supply and higher borrowing costs involved in seeking funds for development.

    Notwithstanding, the agriculture sector offered attractive business opportunities, such as high-value products for domestic markets, aquaculture, vegetables and agro commodities, for the international market. There have also been successes in traditional crops with new demands.

     

    Lagos-Kebbi Rice Project

    Lagos and Kebbi state governments went into a partnership aimed at enhancing food security as well as boosting agro-economic activities in the two states. Specifically, the deal is geared towards improving rice production.

    The project has yielded results with bags of Lake rice rolled  out to Lagosians at N12,000 per 50 kg towards the Yuletide celebrations. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu launched the much-anticipated Lagos-Kebbi Rice christened LAKE RICE, saying that the partnership which culminated into the launch was not only designed to ensure food security but showcase the ability of Nigeria to become a producing nation.

    Sales of the rice  were  made at all the 57 Local Government Areas (LG >?>?./ ./ As) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos to ensure proper distribution.  Part of the agreement is the establishment of a modern and commercially viable rice milling complex to be located in Lagos, with the capacity to process and mill 20 tonnes of rice per hour just as the finished product would be known as ‘Laskeb’ rice. Already, Kebbi has become a rice hub with the bountiful harvest recorded by farmers during this year’s dry season rice farming.

    Kebbi State has become a new haven to conventional, local millers and rice traders from Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, EbonyI, Lagos, Maiduguri, Niger and other parts of the country. Also, it has continued to witness the influx of rice buyers from Niger Republic, Benin and other neighbouring countries.

     

    Sector’s Policy

    In August, the Federal Government inaugurated a roadmap for the agriculture sector, tagged: “The Green Alternative: Agriculture Promotion Policy, 2016-2020.”

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the vision was to revive agric sector to boost food production in the country.

    According to Ogbeh, the policy will serve as the new fulcrum for economic diversification, inclusive growth and sustainable development in agric sector.

    “The launch of the `Green Alternative’ is an attestation that the change that the overwhelming majority of Nigerians canvassed and openly welcomed by giving Muhammadu Buhari a resounding victory in the last presidential election is here. “In this policy, you will see us navigating through the agricultural terrain, trucking on virtually every aspect, we launched on the human element.

    “We will reflect on years of neglect where agriculture was seen as a refuge for the wretched and unsophisticated,” Ogbeh said. The minister explained further that the emphasis on ”Green” would capture the essence, spirit and orientation of the new policy/strategy document. “The emphasis on green is deliberate; it is to underscore, not only the imperative of building a strong, vibrant and resilient economy, but also a green refreshing, generating, transformative-agriculture-led economy.

    “It is to ensure mutual complementary between efficient, effective and productive agricultural production, system and processes on one hand and environmental sustainability,” Ogbeh said.

    He stated that the policy had five major strategic driving forces namely, achievement of self-sufficiency and sustainable food security, reduction in import dependence and economic losses, particularly through value addition.

    Other, he said, were stimulation of agro-exports for enhanced foreign exchange earnings, enhancement of wealth and job creation, especially provision of employment opportunities for the teeming youths. The minister also said achievement of economic diversification to make the economy less oil-dependent was among the driving forces of the green policy.

    Ogbeh said that through the policy, farmers would have access to land, soil fertility, information and knowledge, inputs, production management, storage, processing, marketing and trade, including access to finance.

    Others are promoting agribusiness and ensuring investment development, institutional setting and roles, youth and women, infrastructure, research and innovation and nutrition security.

    Ogbeh conceded that the times were hard and that there is severe shortage of food, noting that Nigeria imports much of its food.

    Identified as likely to hinder policies put in place, are the menacing activities of herdsmen, that is slowly spreading all over the country, and Ogbeh disclosed that his talks with the Ministry of the Interior is to set up a unit in the Civil Defence Corps dedicated to guarding investments in agriculture.

    Ogbeh believes the permanent solution to this menace, is paddock development or ranching which  will put the cattle to pasture and ensure that herdsmen are curtailed  from roaming and can pay tax.

     

    Sector exports

    The development of export-oriented agriculture in Anambra ,was also one of the key developments  leading sector growth and diversification efforts. Across the country, there were a number of large-scale irrigation infrastructure projects that are quickly expanding irrigated land. Increased domestic consumption, exports and investment have led to consistent sector growth over the last six months.

    Diversification efforts by large agro-exporting companies have seen the rise of a few promising crops that are quickly climbing to the top of the country’s export list. These include vegetables, food stuff, cashew and cocoa.

     

    Growth drivers

     

    CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme

    True to his promise that he would revive agriculture by building on the policies of the past administration, President Muhammadu Buhari demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to agriculture by kicking off dry season rice and wheat farming in Kebbi State and also launching the N20billion Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), which the Central Bank of Nigeria has set aside for rice farmers across the country.

    The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) aimed at creating an ecosystem to link out-growers (small holder farmers) to local processors. Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said the Anchor Borrowers’ programme was designed to create economic linkages between farmers and processors, not only to ensure the output of rice and wheat, but also to bridge the gap between production and consumption.

    “Over 200,000 rice and wheat farmers will benefit from the scheme ranging from N150,000 to N250,000 to assist in procuring necessary agricultural input,’’ he said.

    In Imo State,the programme helped to bring down the price of rice. A 50kg bag of local rice sold for  N13,000 in some states that have embraced the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ratified the disbursement of about N75 billion as loan to farmers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the  aegis of Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing in Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

    The Head of NIRSAL Project Implementation Office under the Development Finance Department of the CBN, Jude Uzonwanne, explained that the guarantee would be issued to farmers through commercial banks and other financial institutions.

    “NIRSAL is a flexible financing tool designed to change the behaviour of financial institutions and would mobilise financing for Nigerian agribusiness by using credit guarantees to address the risk of default,” he said.

    Uzonwanne also noted that the programme was created to provide access to finance to farmers by consolidating end-to-end agriculture value chains, such as input producers, farmers, agro dealers, agro processors and industrial manufacturers with agricultural financing value chains – loan product development amongst others.

    “The integration is driven by NIRSAL’s five pillars, particularly the Risk Sharing Pillar and the Technical Assistance pillars, such as Risk sharing Facility, allocated 45 billion, Insurance Facility (4.5 billion), Technical assistance facility (9 billion), Agricultural bank rating scheme (1.5 billion), and Bank incentive mechanism (15 billion).The loan guarantee scheme is a public-private sector plan initiated by the apex bank, the Bankers’ Committee and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to guarantee 75 per cent loans provided by Deposit Money Banks (DPB) to farmers as part of efforts to revitalise  the country’s agricultural sector.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111, praised the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Speaking at the kick off of the dry season wheat farming and distribution of wheat seeds as well as other farm input to farmers under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the Sultan appreciated the CBN for making the dry season farming possible with its support of funds for the programme, saying that the bank’s commitment is worthy of celebration.

    Abubakar maintained that the  Programme is key to ensuring food security for the nation. The monarch enjoined farmers to continue to be diligent in their farming as oil will only provide funds but will not put food on the table.

    Speaking further, the Sultan said there was need for partnership between governments at all a level to evolve solution to end the farmers and herdsmen crisis.

    But farmers said the programme needs reforms to achieve more inclusive growth to reduce poverty and boost shared prosperity.

     

     Tomato scarcity

    The Tuta Absoluta pest is a leaf moth that burrows into the fruits and stems of the tomato plant causing enormous food loss  invaded tomato farms this year.

    The Federal Government moved into action and proffered solution to the menace.

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development worked with Agronet, representatives of Russell, United Kingdom(UK) experts in Tuta Absoluta containment. The intervention programme involved containment packs for 50,000 hectares to be used by tomato producing states, capacity development on the containment solution, surveillance and monitoring in all 774 Local Govt. Areas.

    The Federal Government  partner ed states and local government areas to ensure a containment of pests and enable farmers to continue sustainable production of the fruits for local consumption and provide raw materials for processing.