The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • Expert urges strenghtening of biosecurity

    How can Nigeria maintain food safety and guard against biosecurity risks?

    An expert believes the answer lies in strengthening the biosecu-rity network at seaports and airports.

    The role of biosecurity workers is to protect industries, the environment and the public wellbeing from the negative impacts of pests, diseases and weeds.

    The Deputy Director, General Manage-ment Division, Agricultural and Rural Management and Training Institute (ARMTI), Dr Ademola Adeyemo has urged authorities to impose health and supervisory checks on products of foreign origin entering the country to ensure a consistently high standard of such controls throughout the country.

    He said Nigeria could be threatened by hundreds of thousands of exotic species pests that could cause harm.

    Potential pests, he said, can enter the country through many different pathways through which pests and diseases enter and move about. He said more scientific research is needed to identify better tools for blocking pathways and detecting pests.

    For instance, containers arriving the country could harbour potential threats from contamination with seeds; plant material; insects, spiders and even snakes. Products in the containers,according to him,  could be hosts to a range of pests.  According to him, effective biosecurity systems rely on information about pests, pathways and capabilities to manage the risks properly.

    Biosecurity is about mitigating risk, by focusing on prevention and early detection and eradication, he added.

    According to him, insecurity and food safety are critical to the operation and viability of the nation’s primary industries.

    Without functional food security network, he said the primary industries would be exposed to a much greater risk of potentially devastating pests and diseases. He  said effective food safety controls are vital to ensure the highest standards of consumer protection.

    He stressed that it was vital that personnel responsible for ensuring the safety of food operating  effectively across the transport modes.

    He urged the government to  develop measures aimed at ensuring high standards of hygiene during food production and effective control of the entire food chain.

  • ‘How to boost cassava production’

    The Federal Government has been urged to double its efforts in boosting cassava production. Participants made the call at the Agra Innovate exhibition in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Speaking on the topic: Key value chain analysis: cassava, the Dean, College of Food Science and Human ecology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof Lateef Oladimeji Sanni, urged the minister of Agriculture to call a strategic meeting of stakeholders in the sector to know its problems and prospects. He said it was not enough for the minister to promise to revamp the sector without getting input from its participants. “We need a minister that will come to the grassroots,” he added.

    The don, who took an overview of the sector since 2002, said it had grown significantly. He however listed its problems as the production and supply of the product, low pricing and insecurity, among others. Mr L. A. Adeniji of the Niji Group, said equipment and storage were some of the problems of the sector. “We try to compare ourselves with Brazil, Turkey, which use heavy equipment. But some of their equipment we cannot use here. Also, firms are set up in the cities, while the farms are in the rural areas,’’ he said. He canvassed the pegging of cassava price for uniformity and that owners of processing firms should be more dedicated.

    Executive Director Manufacturing Honeywell Mills Dr Nino Ozara said access to mills, especially in Apapa, Lagos was a major problem. He wondered how farmers could navigate the bad roads in Apapa to reach the mills. He called for reduction of tariffs and levy on wheat.

    Director (Agro), Allied Atlantic Distilleries Rajasekar Rajaveu whose firm manufactures ethanol from cassava listed the problems in the sector as “90 per cent of farmers are subsistence, who use traditional implements and methods’’ and that the clearing of land was difficult.

    His solution: “All large scale industries should have their own plantations to sustain supply. The government should allocate bulk areas of land for farming.’’ He also called for more extensive programmes and finance for farmers. He said when Nigeria has large farms, it would produce enough ethanol.

    Afrocet Managing Director Bryan Pearson praised the exhibition, saying it was well-attended. “It was good to see debate,’’ hoping that it would engender growth in the sector and direct government’s agric policy.

    Of the 150 exhibitors, a lot of them, he said, were small and large scale, who might be looking forward to investing in the sector. “We expect good business to be undertaken, that a new breed of businessmen will invest in the sector. Agra Innovate is important for the industry to form and complement the policy work of the government. We can help to stimulate the sector’s development,’’ he added.

  • Global poultry industry ‘ll rebound, says report

    A positive year is expected for the global poultry industry next year, but the sector needs to recover from the challenges incurred by recent avian influenza outbreaks, according to the most recent quarterly report of Rabobank.

    According to it, key fundamentals for the global poultry outlook for next year are positive. The groups indicated that feed prices are expected to remain low, while competitive protein prices for beef and pork will be relatively high.

    Excessive supply expansion has outstripped continued strong fundamentals – robust demand, ongoing low feed prices and relatively high competitive protein prices – in recent months, after multiple quarters of balanced supply/demand, the latest Rabobank report states.

    This has pressured producer profitability in most regions of the world. Markets in China and Thailand will also likely be impacted by avian influenza (AI)-related import restrictions on breeding stock by the US in 2H 2016, also potentially affecting global poultry markets.

    Looking ahead to 2016, the company noted that key fundamentals suggest a good year ahead for the industry, but whether the industry can really benefit from these positive fundamentals highly depends on supply rebalancing to new market circumstances and on further developments surrounding Bird Flu.

     

  • Stakeholders to govt: monitor donors-funded projects

    Stakeholders to govt: monitor donors-funded projects

    Stakeholders in the cocoa value chain have advised the federal and state governments to take measures to tighten the monitoring of donors-funded agric projects in the country.

    This advice is coming on the heels  lapses  discovered in many projects funded by donors across the country. Lapses, such as deficient civil works certified as complete, poor equipment certified as compliant with specifications, and under-delivery of services from contractual obligations have been identified by stakeholders.

    Stakeholders, who spoke during the annual conference of the Farmers Development Union (FADU), convened to access the impact of Kokodola Project in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said if there is proper monitoring, the aim of the funding would be defeated.

    The Kokodola Project is implemented by Continaf, FADU and Oxfam Novib, in partnership with international buyers, Ferrero and Petra Foods, and powered by IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative.

    The stakeholders observed that standard best practices were largely ignored and as such urged the government to improve monitoring of donor-projects and aid packages to make them accountable and responsive to the farmers.

    One of the speakers, Prof Adegboyega Oguntade of Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State capital, said better managed projects would boost growth and increased farm incomes.

    In a paper titled: Development projects: Ends within an unending cycles, Oguntade observed that since 2001, various intervention projects had been initiated and implemented in the cocoa value chain, which has failed to create meaningful impact in the lives of the farmers.

    To transform the way cocoa is grown and dramatically boost farm yields and incomes, he advised the government and private sector to embark on projects that will improve farming practices and technologies for the benefit of cocoa producers.

    Such projects, he added, should focus on improving outcomes, facilitating efficiency benchmarking for both productivity and environmental performance.

    He called for collaboration between the industry and academia to improve the crop.

    According to him, Kokodola was designed to and must have contributed to raising living standard of cocoa farmers.

    He said: “If Kokodola has contributed to the well being of cocoa farmers in these ways, it has definitely contributed to the development of Nigeria’s economy.”

    Oguntade, who is also the Managing Director, FUTA Business Development Company, called on farmers to embrace the culture of savings in cooperatives.

    FADU Project Coordinator, Sir Victor Olowe, called for cooperation between FADU and partners for the betterment of the project.

    According to Olowe, it has become necessary to re-evaluate the partnerships to protect the overall interest of the farmers and integrity of the country, hence the need to go back to the drawing-board.

    Olowe added that the next few months is critical to the survival of the Kokodola Project, which has trained over 7000 cocoa farmers in Osun and Ondo states. The project also employs over 50 field workers who undertake training of farmers, monitoring and evaluation, certification and audit control, among other roles.

    Team Leader, Cocoa Transformation Agenda, Dr. Peter Aikpokpo-dion, urged stakeholders and government to work together to reposition the cocoa industry.

    The  plant breeder who pioneered the latest hybrid cocoa pods, noted that for Nigeria to get the result it needs, “we should support the setting up of coordinating body that will take care of all challenges in the industry. The way the sector is organised is posing a problem.  It is this platform that will bring all together under one roof and have issues resolved adequately and holistically.”

    Tulip Nigeria Limited Managing Director, Chief Simon Conway-Jarret, noted that the Kokodola Project has had meaningful impact on the quality and quantity of cocoa beans bought and used in the company.

    He said Theobroma Cacao, the parent company,  based in the Netherlands,  grinds over 400,000 metric tonnes globally and would therefore only partner with groups and associations that can deliver on good quality cocoa beans.

    Another partner, Dutch Sustainable Initiative, IDH, represented by the head, Africa Cassava Initiative, Mr. Cyril Ugwu, said the organisation is prepared to support any project that would bring benefit to farmers.

    Ugwu noted that the Kokodola Project has had positive impact on the farmers, going by initial reports from the field. He urged FADU to make its assessment report available to IDH for review of its support to cocoa farmers under the project.

    The Kokodola Project Manager, Mrs. Mopelola Fabunmi, informed that the project would undergo some significant changes in order to meet the emerging demands. She stated that farmers in the project area are already adopting the trainings on good agricultural, business, and organisational practices.

  • Our new focus for developing Osun is agric – Aregbesola

    Our new focus for developing Osun is agric – Aregbesola

    • International Breweries to support Osun through IGR

    The Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that his administration’s ‎new focus for development will be agriculture, solid mineral development and industrialisation‎.

    The Governor stated this at the commissioning of the new effluent treatment plant and expansion project of the International Breweries PLC in Ilesa.

    This was just as the company promised to do its best in ensuring compliance with payment of taxes to boost Osun’s drive for internally generated revenue.

    Aregbesola noted that, given the falling price of oil and diminishing revenue from the oil sector, the state is already looking beyond oil for revenue, sustenance and meeting her obligations to fulfilling his electoral promises.

    He commended the company for ‎its vision and forthrightness of the founder, the late Dr. Lawrence Omole and managers of the company for complying with international best practices and the aptness of the commissioning of effluent treatment plant coinciding with the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, France.

    Aregbesola said: “Our new focus is agriculture, solid mineral development and industrialisation. This indeed should be the focus of the wise who is thinking beyond the financial catastrophe that befell this nation since 2013 on account of falling revenue from the Federation Accounts.”

    Aregbesola also lauded the company for increasing her presence and acceptability, which has translated to increase in market share of the brewery.

    “I commend you. But you must do more, not just to dominate your immediate environment but to spread to other regions as well and ultimately make your brands international by venturing outside the country. On our part, we will continue to support you and help to realise your vision to expand,” he added.

    The Governor stated that concerns for the environment have been an issue since the industrial revolution and the emergence of cities, noting that the fallout of industrialisation is pollution of the environment from industrial and household wastes.

    ‎He therefore described the impression that environmental friendliness is mutually incompatible with development as false, saying, if the right measures are adopted, there will be sustainable development.

    He enjoined other industrial concerns in the state to emulate IBL Plc which is complying with international best practices.

    Governor Aregbesola added that it is the dream of his government that an industrial hub develops around where allied industries that support you or feed off your operations can develop, prime one of which is agriculture and allied industries.

    He said “In October, we signed an MOU with a Chinese consortium to start an agriculture and industrial park in Osun which will be cited in Ilesa. Last month, we also signed an agreement with the IITA to start agriculture demonstration farm and research centre at Orile Owu,” the governor emphasised.

    Earlier in his remark, the Chairman Board of Directors, International Breweries Plc, Ilesa, Otunba Micheal Daramola, commended the state government for its unflinching support towards the growth and development of the company.

    He extolled Governor Aregbesola for keeping to the promises he made in 2013, saying the MoU signed between the company and the state government has yielded positive results and tremendous impact in the lives of the citizens of the state.

    Enumerating some of the organization’s achievements, Otunba Daramola said the company has been a job provider and development partner to the state.

    He disclosed that N1.4billion was expended on waste management in the state, while N1.2 was spent on several projects, as the company equally spent N1.2billion on the new road and new pipeline recently installed and commissioned for use.

    Daramola said over N4.8 billion has been expended so far on the new effluent treatment and water pipeline projects, promising that the company would not relent in its efforts to support the train of development in the state.

    He described the present administration as being supportive, saying that the company’s relationship with current government has been very seamless.

    He said: “The main focus of this company is to ensure that we effect real change and transformation of our immediate environment and the state as a whole for meaningful development and positive improvement.

    “We are doing everything to assist the government by empowering the youths through different programmes targeted to reduce the scourge of unemployment.

    “Over 120 youths have been successfully selected and financially assisted on running capital to start both small and medium scale businesses.

    In his address, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mr. Andrew Ross, said the newly installed Effluent Treatment Plant and Water Pipeline projects were first of its kind in the South-west, saying it remains a milestone for economic sustainability.

    He commended the state government for its support, saying its continued cooperation had provided a seamless improvement, growth and development to both the company and the state government.

    He promised that the company was ready to assist the government at improving its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by fulfilling its quota on regular tax payment.

    Ross stressed further that the company was committed to offering Nigerians world class products, saying its mission was to be the best beverage company in Nigeria.

    “The Effluent Treatment Plant and Water Pipeline we are commissioning today is very environmental friendly because it emits clean water.

    “This project is of world class standard and this is so because our company is ever ready and committed to world class products that, is why our company has been progressing geometrically.

    The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, commended the company for the introduction of modern technology into its operation just as he saluted the efforts of the management and staff of the company in its bid to realize the dream of the organization.

  • Wanted: Investments in agric infrastructure

    Wanted: Investments in agric infrastructure

    A consultant to the World Bank, Prof Abel Ogunwale, has advised the government to invest in infrastructure and value-added production.

    Ogunwale, a lecturer in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, noted that growth in agriculture would require an increase in infrastructural  investments.

    He said farmers expected state governments and organisations to help boost production, noting that the sector would be attractive to investors because of favourable political and legal environment, and freehold ownership, among others.

    While some investors are well-established in commodities markets, Ogunwale noted that poor infrastructure and volatility were scaring others away.

    He said investors focus on agriculture’s assets and explore opportunities in areas, such as land, grain elevators and food processing plants.

    He observed that Nigeria is lagging in agric infrastructure, citing irrigation system and other facilities which need renovation and investment.

    Ogunwale bemoaned the sector’s low capacity, urging the government to open up the industry for investments.

    He urged the government to support commercial aquaculture, breeding, monitoring and warning systems and epidemic surveillance systems.

    He implored the government to encourage free trade to unlock its agriculture capability by implementing reforms, deregulation nd easing rules for investors.

    He said improving the environment for agriculture would bring  benefits, and contribute to stronger economic growth.

    According to him, improved barge, rail and port facilities could boost food production, adding that improving infrastructure will attract capital into the agribusiness sectors.

  • ‘Revamp agro-export market’

    ‘Revamp agro-export market’

    National Publicity Secretary, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Sotonye Anga, has urged the government to increase agro exports that can generate more employment, foreign exchange and ensure sustainable economic growth.

    He urged the government to remove trade barriers in export and solve the problems in the sector.

    Anga, who spoke at the just- concluded International Cashew Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, said the association had taken steps to promote cashew farming as a profitable business.

    He said cashew farming has is being done in all geo-political zones of the country. He listed the major cashew growing states to include Enugu, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Cross River, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Delta, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Taraba, Niger and Federal Capital, Sokoto and Kebbi.

    He said there had been a steady increase in Nigeria’s annual cashew nut production.

    Anga, who is also the coordinator Agribusiness, Community of Agricultural Stakehold-ers of Nigeria, said the country had been listed as one of the top 100 Raw Cashew Nut (RCN) producing countries in the world, with a fbout 150,000 metric tonnes of export grade cashew nuts annually.

    Besides, he  said Nigeria has been adjudged the third largest producer in Africa after Cote d’Ivoire and Tanzania, and seventh largest in the world.

    In 2013, he said cashew was  the third largest agricultural export and foreign exchange earner for Nigeria, and about $110 million was earned by exporters from cashew, which represents about 10 per cent  of the agricultural export by the Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC). Noteworthy, he added that Nigeria’s cashew export was imported by Singapore, India, Vietnam, UAE, and Hong Kong in 2013 and last year, according to NEPC, this year.

    He said the cashew agribusi-ness in Nigeria is worth N24 billion ($160 million) as at last year and over one million people depend on the industry for their livelihood.

    The conference was attended by delegates from Australia, China, India, Tanzania, Malawi, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, and other countries.

  • The best of agric on display

    The best of agric on display

    The innovations and achievements of farmers and food producers were showcased at this year’s Nigeria Agriculture Awards in Lagos. Key agro-industrialists, experts and academics attended the show. It was a rare show for a unique industry. Stakeholders – farmers, industrialists, academics and many more – were brought together under one roof to celebrate a worthy trade –agriculture. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Welcome to the Nigeria Agriculture Awards (NAA) which celebrates the best of food and the companies and individuals who grow, make and supply it.

    In its second year, the event was held last week at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos as part of the Agra Innovate Exhibition, which brings together international suppliers and local buyers to discuss opportunities. It featured a conference that attracted policymakers,  farmers and technologists.

    Launched last year, under ex-Minister Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Agra Innovate was supported by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development and the Nigeria Agribusiness Group.

    The awards began about 6pm on Wednesday, last week. The guest of honour was the Chairman, Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Alhaji Sani Dangote, while the keynote speaker was the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, Prof Eustace Ayemere Iyayi.

    The host and chairman of the Awards Committee, Emmanuel Ikani, a professor of Agric Extension at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, welcomed the recipients.

    Ikani said the awards was a platform to recognise individuals and institutions in agriculture.

    He said the award was meant to honour men and women who demonstrated progressive, leading-edge thinking in the agriculture sector.

    Iyayi urged the government to enhance agri-productivity in farms and drive prosperity among farmers.

    According to him, agric prosperity is key to strengthening the nation’s growth on the world map.

    Iyayi said supporting the agribusinesses – many of which include small businesses –is backing solutions for agricultural challenges. Such support, according to him, will help create new jobs, open up new markets and drive productivity.

    He reiterated that investing in agriculture is vital, not only for future food supply but also to help build innovative approaches for modern farming.

    This year, the awards featured 15 categories, including Achievers in Agriculture, Nagropreneur of the Year, Agric Bank of the Year, Agro-brand of the Year, Agro-Innovator of the Year, Agro-journalist of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility award, Agriculture Destination of the Year, Agro-investor of the Year, Development Partner of the Year, R&D award, Input company of the Year, agro ambassador of the year.

    There were Farmers’ Governor of the Year, Pillars of Agriculture, Agro Commissioner of the Year and Farmer of the Year.

    As the event progressed, winners were announced and handed their trophies; this marked the finale  to reward the values, determination and adaptability of the farming community.

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, received the Farmer’s Governor of the Year for his  contributions to the sector, as evidenced by his response to the Tuta Absoluta scourge, which threatened to wipe out tomato crops.

    Honoured with the Pillars of Agriculture awards were Governors Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.

    El-Rufai was recognised for the rapid strides in land reforms, which resulted in land title ownership in few  days. The Kebbi State governor was recognised for his investment in dry season farming, which ensured that farmers have multiple production windows- this has enhanced the income of smallholder farmers in state.

    Other awardees were the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for being a pillar in agriculture through his policy initiatives as well as economic support to the sector.

    Others in this category were Emefiele; former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development( FMARD) now of Federal Ministry of Communication, Sonny Echono and National Project Coordinator, Rural Finance Building Programme (RUFIN), Alhaji Musibau Azeez.

    In the corporate category, Achiever in Agriculture are Popular Farms Ltd, for maintaining the largest rice processing business in Nigeria; Best Foods Global Ltd. for its foresight in establishing a proficient cold chain storage company; Dansa Agro-Allied Ltd for investments in tomato processing, with the transformation of the tomato value-chain and Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc for maintaining Nigeria’s most impressive palm plantation business.

    Others include Presco Nig. Plc for its outstanding Palm Refinery business and Teragro Nig. Limited for its indigenisation of citrus pulp extract production, which used to be imported.

    Individual category include Dr. Martins Fregene for his contribution to the cassava revolution; Dr. Muyiwa Osiname for  his works in rice production in Africa, Dr Niyi Odunlami,in recognition of the role he played in birthing the Staple Crop Processing Zones (SPCZ) policy.

    For excellence and resilience in the reportage of trends in agribusiness, particularly with respect to small and medium-scale businesses, Mr. Daniel Essiet of The Nation Newspaper, was given the award of Agro-Journalist of The Year.

    Another expert, Dr. Tony Bello, was honoured for his contributions towards private-public partnerships, which have resulted in the formation of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group, and Ada Osakwe (Investment).

    Director-General, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Nteranya Sangiga, was recognised for his research.

    Co-founder and CEO, Cellulant Nigeria, Bolaji Akinboro, receive the Achiever in Agriculture Award for the company’s E-wallet technology – a digital platform that has transformed the lives of more than 14 million farmers in Nigeria.

    Edo State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr Abdul Oroh won the Agro Commissioner of the Year.

    Others are Dr. Ahmed Adekunle (mechanisation), Prof. Sule Ochai Due for his technical contributions to the New Nigeria Food and Agricultural Transformation Policy.

    Managing Partner, Sahel Capital, Mr. Mezuo Nwunelli, received an award for his contribution to the growth of agribusinesses, through  the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN).

    For using Agricultural Fresh Produce Growers & Exporters Association of Nigeria (AFGEAN) to evolve a veritable structure for fresh produce export out of Nigeria, its Executive Secretary, Mr. Akin Sawyerr, received individual award.

    Interventions Manager GEMS4, Richard Ogundele got an award   hinged on his work in fostering Good Handling Practices (GHP) in Nigeria’s fresh produce business.

    Appreciating his 40-year history of financial investment in agriculture, and his top-notch, high-tech input in  tractor components and mechanised farming, the Managing Director, Dizengoff Nigeria, Mr. Richard Hargrave, got an award in the investment category.

    For bringing his innovations in cassava production, a local innovator, Mr. Kolawole Adeniji was honoured for demonstrating that agricultural engineering, fabrication technology, mechanised farming and food processing can be harnessed to promote agriculture.

    Dr Temitope Aroge was named Nagropreneur of the Year for making a mark in the sector, while TrustFund Microfinance Bank Ltd was honoured as Agric Bank of the Year (Microfinance) for recognising the bank’s bold efforts and the critical role played in dispensing financial services to smallholder farmers in Edo State.

    Union Bank Plc got the Agric Bank of The Year (Commercial) award. Others include Premium Aquaculture limited, Fish Farmer Of The Year; Niyya Farms Ltd. Kaduna, Crop Farmer Of The Year; Globus Resources Limited, Ibadan, livestock farmer of the year (poultry); L&Z Farms Ltd. Kano, livestock farmer of the year (dairy); Royal Stallion Shinkafa, agro-brand of the year; AFEX Commodities Exchange Limited, agro-innovator of the year; agriculture destination of the year, Ogun State, agro-investor of the year; Alhaji Sani Dangote, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), development partner of the year; National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), research award of the year and Innocent Idibia (aka TuFace), agro ambassador of the year and Ms. Wilma Aguele farmer of the year (female), was honoured for her brave exploits and gargantuan achievements in the cash crop and fresh produce farming sector.

    Others recognised were Mr. Kola Masha (Babban Gona Initiative), Comrade David Ehindero (the Agric Academy) and Mrs. Vero Igbe (Fisheries). Prominent industrialist and investor, Alhaji Sani Dangote, Prof. Ango Abdullahi.

    Chairman, Origin Group, Prince Samuel Joseph Samuel, was  recognised for boosting agricultural engineering, food production, fresh produce processing and export.

    Director-General, NAA, Richard-Mark Mbaram, said the sector would not have made outstanding strides in the past year without the input of these individuals and corporate bodies.

    He said the awards acknowledged the vital contributions agro companies make, thereby encouraging entrepreneurship and business excellence in the sector.

    The surprise in this year was the number of agric businesses set up by people already successful in other careers: teachers, bankers, hi-tech executives, ad men (and women!), farmers – all changing their local economies, fulfilling themselves through great food, and thriving.

  • Animal artificial insemination centres coming

    The Federal Government will set up about 200 animal artificial insemination centres across the country, Agriculture and Rural Development Minster Chief Audu Ogbeh has said.

    Ogbeh spoke when he received a delegation of officials from Ireland, led by the Minister of Agriculture, Food, Marine and Defence, Mr. Simon Coveney, in his office in Abuja.

    Ogbeh, who decried the production or less than one litre of milk daily by cattle in the country, said 37 per cent of children are malnourished, according to the United Nations international Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

    He noted that the administration would collaborate with developed countries, particularly, the Irish government to move the agricultural sector forward.

    He said various initiatives and technical programmes would be introduced to attract youths into the sector, noting that the sector had hitherto been left to the older generation.

    Ogbeh said the ministry would engage in massive irrigation system in the north to grow feeders to feed the cattle and prevent their migration.

    He praised the delegation of Irish officials for their visit and their determination to foster better partnership with Nigeria.

    He said the nation was ready to partner with the Irish government in capacity building, livestock production as well as expansion of palm oil and sugar industries, among others.

    Ogbeh  said the ministry would open up further discussions with the delegation to share ideas and knowledge on how to move the agricultural sector forward.

    Coveney said the purpose of their visit was to build on the relationship between the two countries to boost trade and investments in agriculture.

    He said Ireland is good in food technology and development of indigenous capacity in agriculture.

    He said the Irish government was ready to share its 50 years’ experiences in agriculture with Nigeria. He said his country has many youths in the agriculture, adding that this would be replicated in Nigeria.

    Coveney said Ireland produces about 40 per cent of infant formula globally.

    The Ireland Minister praised the focus of the Buhari administration on the diversification of the  economy to agriculture, saying  about 43 Irish firms were in the country. He said food firms from Ireland would link up with the country to create jobs, wealth and add value to food production.

    He invited officials of the ministry  to Ireland for knowledge sharing which would be needed to develop the  sector.

  • Utomi: encourage food processers

    Founder, Centre for Value and Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, has said indigenous food producers should be encouraged to make their products meet world standards.

    To meet the demand for processed food, he said producers  should modernise their technology, and improve their marketing activities and brand building.

    Utomi spoke at the just-concluded  Food Bext West Africa Exhibition in Lagos.

    He said: “It is my view that if we focus on the strategy of processing what we produce and there is a clear national strategy, corporate strategy will key into it and use it as a great advantage to help drive the economy of this nation.”

    Earlier at the opening of the AgrikExpo, Chairman of Venus Processing and Packaging Limited (VPPL) Otunba Christopher Tugbobo, said: “I am very happy to be a part of this venture because Sympli proves that Nigeria is capable of doing new things in agriculture that can help reduce our dependence on oil and gas.

    “Sympli is produced 100 per cent  locally by Nigerians for Nigerians and this gives me hope as it creates much needed employment, helps reduce post-harvest losses and gives Nigerians a home grown brand in the frozen food segment that we can all be proud of.’’

    Sympli is the brand name   foods produced by VPPL, which is a part of the PRIMLAKS Group.

    The locally farmed, processed and packed Sympli products, which include ‘Yam Fries’, ‘Yam Cubes,’ Plantain ‘Dodo’ and Plantain Chips, are delivered in ready-to-cook state for frying, steaming or baking.