The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • 86,000 children get food fortifying powder

    With the purchase of 10 million sachets of micro-nutrient powder (MNP) known as Enrich, the Benue State Government has begun tackling the scourge of malnutrition by distributing the food fortifying MNP to 86, 000 children.

    According to the state government, the micro-nutrients food powder, manufactured by Bio-Organics Nutrient Systems Limited, will reach thousands of children in Benue State up till May to fortify them against malnutrition and diseases associated with micro-nutrients deficiency.

    Speaking at the launch of Enrich Micro-nutrient food powder in Benue State, the First Lady of the state, Mrs. Dooshima Suswam, said there was the need to address the problems of malnutrition in Benue with the MNP because the lack of nutritious food, poor feeding practices and children not getting enough nutritious food lead to malnutrition – which is the underlying cause of about half of deaths recorded in children under age of five years and severe acute malnutrition affecting millions of Nigerian children.

    She expressed delight with the innovation strategy aimed at reducing infant mortality in the state saying: “Benue State Government has procured 10 million satchet of MNP for distribution to 86, 000 children between the age of six and 59 months during the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Weeks (MNCHWs) of December 2013 and May 2014. A sachet of MNP contains 15 micronutrients that are supposed to be added to the food of a child at the point of consumption.

    “The overall strategy is to adopt a state-driven approach that is built upon existing routine and outreach health services delivery system with increased mobilisation of communities during the specified months of MNCHWs,” Mrs Suswam said.

    Enrich micro-nutrient powder, a single-serve free-flowing blend of 15 vitamins and minerals, is targeted at meeting the daily recommended nutrient intake of children above six months. It does not change the taste, smell or colour of food and is easy to use.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Bio-Organics Nutrients Systems Limited, Dr. Kenny Acholonu noted: “Most complementary and staple foods lack sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals required for optimal growth and development of children, especially in the first 1000 days of life. But, with the use of Enrich as part of their food, these essential micronutrients will be supplied in sufficient quantities.

    “We, therefore, want to use this opportunity to urge mothers to adopt MNP as part of their children’s feeding routine and use them according to the instructions of the health workers. Doing this diligently will enhance the health, growth and development of the children, which will favourably complement the efforts of the state and all the stakeholders involved,” he said.

  • Fisheries and aquaculture: Options and pathway to providing more fish in Nigeria

    The increasing awareness of the roles fish and fisheries products play in the nutrition and food security of nations continue to put pressure on fisheries scientists and economists, natural resource managers, governments,non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to increase supply.

    Aside food, fish as the most common aquatic organisms provides jobs, foreign exchange, recreation, and raw materials to industries, such as the pharmaceutical and hospitality business. Fisheries (capturing from inland system, such as rivers, lakes and lagoons, and marine) and aquaculture (farming in an enclosure outside natural systems) are the two sources for fish and fisheries products.

    Data obtained from the Federal Department of Fisheries indicated that in Nigeria, the total fish production in 2012 was 968,283 tonnes with fisheries accounting for about 74 per cent and aquaculture contributing not more than 26 per cent (the country is first in the continent in the farming of catfish).

    Production from both ends is 40 per cent of the 1.5 million (MT) requirement of 9.38 kg per capita fish consumption with importation taking care of the huge balance. Increasing production from the two ends becomes imperative.

    Supply from both sub-sectors shows positive outlook with fisheries expanding by eight per cent and aquaculture by as much as 27 per cent using the 2010 as base figure. However, this is a far cry from what is needed to reduce the gap between supply from the local production and importation.

    The President of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Dr. Abba Abdullahi, said the situation is unacceptable because of the need to conserve the scarce foreign exchange and the huge arrays of different seafoods the country is blessed with.

    He said aquaculture is a critical means in ensuring that more fish is produced locally but quick to note that there is the need to rethink the restrictive definition of aquaculture to just the pond systems, urging the need to promote urgently the cage culture. In this light, two foreign firms have already indicated their willingness to invest in the cage culture systems in the country.

    Responding to the question of clashes of interests in the use of natural water systems for aquaculture viz a viz others uses, such as power generation, land reclaiming for urban beautification and renewal, etc, which states are carrying out, he suggested the need to pursue water productivity and enhancement with integrated water resource management.

    Fish and fisheries product remain a very valuable protein and essential micronutrient to ensure balance nutrition and promote good health. The contribution to nutrition and food security can-not but be emphasised.

    Complementing Dr. Abba, Mrs. Fakoya, K. A., a doctoral student at the Lagos State University (LASU) agreed that aquaculture may be used to promote increased access to fish.

    However, she cautioned on the need to examine critically the option, knowledge and capability, stating that the obvious mono species culture, where in only the catfish dominates production from farm is worrisome. He added that the market is showing signs of concern. Consumers are asking why it is only catfish that is mainly available.

    She suggested the need for the government, universities and research institutes to put in place the require incentives, such as funding for research on diversification of the monoculture for which fish farming in the country has been associated with in the last two decades.

    Mr. Joseph, Femi (Mr. Fish) drawing from his experience with cage culture emphasised that the technique should be handled carefully to avoid the danger of cultured species escaping to the wild and wiping out the fisheries.

    She further suggested the need to direct research towards a situation where aquaculture can be made to support production from artisanal fisheries.

    Based on her knowledge of Fisheries Biology and Fisheries Economics, she averred that given the scenario and optimistic projections, there was no way aquaculture will outcome supply from artisanal fisheries. Aquaculture is bound to face serious competition from other land uses even from within the agriculture industry. Federal and state institutions would need to be proactive in directing the mind of the youth towards fishing as an occupation.

    “The fishermen are aging while the youth continued to be held back by modernisation and find distasteful being called fishermen,” he said.

    Different problems hamper fish production and impact negatively on the efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition in the rural areas, especially.

    Assistant Director-General, FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Arni M. Mathiesen, in a foreword to The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (FAO, 2012), stated that the challenges confronting fisheries and aquaculture include poor governance, weak fisheries management regimes, conflicts over the use of natural resources, the persistent use of poor fishery and aquaculture practices, a failure to incorporate the priorities and rights of small-scale fishing communities, and injustices relating to gender discrimination and child labour.

    The governance structure remained a key issue in ameliorating constraints faced in fish production. The Fisheries Act 2014 when signed into law will provide a vital platform in making fish more accessible. A very key provision in the Act is the provision for the establishment of a Fisheries Commission, which among other functions, is ‘take measures, implement actions and otherwise perform its duties so as to ensure the long-term conservation, management and sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources, in order to meet the needs of present and future generations’.

    Eventually, when this act is gazzeted civil society and international and local non-governmental organisations must act in unison to give the necessary bite and hold government accountable on agreed commitments and ensure that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and represented.

    Abdullahi called on the government to sign it into law without any further delay.

     

    •Dr. Akintola is Senior Lecturer, Department of Fisheries, Lagos State University (LASU). E-mail: drsilfa@yahoo.com

  • Containerised shipping of agric produce on the rise

    A new window of opportunity has opened for farmers. Many of them are taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the movement of agricultural products in containers, a booming business which experts put at between $250 million and $500 million a year.

    Speaking with The Nation, the Chief Executive Officer and Programme Director of Multimix Academy, a Lagos-based export training and logistics outfit, Obiora Madu, said farmers were taking advantage of the availability of containers to ship out their agric produce.

    According to him, farmers, grain cooperatives, and exporters are taking advantage of the opportunities by shipping empty containers and filling them with grain overseas.

    He also said daily, foreign confectionaries buy agro products shipped in from overseas in 40-foot containers.

    According to him, more farmers are appreciating the importance of the export market for their business.

    Madu said the use of containers for the carriage of bulk agric commodities is effective and that farmers have found it profitable to ship their agric produce, such as cotton and cocoa through the seaports to their overseas buyers. Only recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said agricultural products earned $1.3 billion during the third quarter of last year alone.

    The major agro exports markets are identifies as United States, Asia and Europe. The principal export crops include cocoa beans, cocoa butter, cocoa cake, ginger, sesame seeds, and cashew nuts.

    Others are shea nuts, cotton lint, palm kernel cake, shea butter, cashew kernel, rubber, chillies, hibiscus flower, and tropical fruits.

    Experts such as Madu said there was substantial overseas market for shea butter for use in chocolate, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products hence, many farmers and entrepreneurs are involved in shipping shea butter in containers.

    Madu, however, explained that though, the demand for export is huge, there has been fewer number of trees in existence to cope with the surge in demand.

    Another major constraint, he pointed out, is maintaining quality control in processing, which requires organisation of harvest and collection.

    He said one of the challenges facing tropical fruit exporters is how to organise, assemble and transport their produce by air or sea without compromising export quality.

    Madu also blamed low yields of cashew nuts on aged trees, urging the government to encourage cashew tree regeneration and motivate the general public to return to the farm to boost export trade.

    He said ports have expanded their facilities to accommodate the increasing agro exports business. The growth in the value of waterborne agric exports, he maintained, could hit five per cent with increased production. He attributed this to the government’s support to farmers riding on the back of the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES).

    Apparently recognising the opportunities in the business, shipping firms are taking time off to explain the benefits of containerised exports. Some of them have also moved a notch higher, assisting government agencies and non-governmental organisation (NGOs) in promoting soybeans in nutrition.

    Madu was, however, noted that airports are critical for the fast shipment of high-value, time-sensitive and perishable fruits.

    President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria(NCAN), Mr. Tola Faseru, said cashew nut producers could triple revenue from exports by increasing processing capacity and adding value to the crop.

    He called for the removal of bottlenecks hindering the processing of raw goods before export. Value addition, he noted, would help producers maximise returns and lessen the risk of price fluctuations in commodity markets.

    According to him, the market for agric exports is so huge, therefore the government must assist to remove all bottlenecks and create a conducive atmosphere to facilitate trade.

    Faseru urged the government to support exports, manufacturing and agricultural expansion to serve the cause of the private sector. He also urged exporters to pay attention to quality issues and avoid practices that could lead to the ban of exports from Nigeria.

    He admonished them to acquire relevant permits and certificates before exporting, adding that this would help them to be competitive and successful.

    He noted that the non-oil sector is growing and making significant contributions to national economic development.

    Similarly, the National President, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Inyama, said operators should improve facilities at the seaports since the bulk of agricultural produce are exported through the ports.

    He said the ports lack capacity and infrastructure to handle the increasing quantities of agric bulk exports.

    “There are cases of breakdown of facilities during peak periods, with queues of trucks building up outside the main ports’ gates, while vessels, too, struggle to berth,” he added.

    Spokesman for Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Robo Adhuze, also called on the government to tackle the declining transportation infrastructure to avoid significant short- and long-term damage to the agric business sector.

    He said a situation where the ports and its logistics counterparts are under-performing was inimical to the growth of the business of agro-industrialists. He said significant efforts were needed to build new railways and rehabilitate the roads to provide suitable connection between the production areas and the selected ports.

  • Fertiliser manufacturers to enjoy better patronage

    These are exciting times for owners of fertiliser manufacturing firms. Riding on the back of the increased tempo of activities in the sector following the administration’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda, fertiliser manufacturers or producers are set to witness a boom.

    Operators are hopeful of a steady rise in demand for fertiliser because of the rising demand for food, feeds and bio-fuel uses. The expectations of the fertiliser producers is that national fertiliser consumption would increase tremendously, driven by the sharp rebound of activities in the sector, coupled with strong agricultural market fundamentals, such as attractive agricultural commodity prices.

    A Consultant with the World Bank Prof Abel Ogunwale, told The Nation that increase in fertiliser production would be absorbed by rising demand for food, feed and bio-fuel uses.

    He artributed this to rising capacity in high consumption, carry-over of stocks at buyers’ end, and strong domestic sales.

    Ogunwale said with improved extension services aimed at educating farmers on the use of fertiliser, the highest growth rates are anticipated. Besides, he said, many states are figting hunger by allocating a large part of their budgets to agriculture.

    Ogunwale explained that fertiliser firms are working on improving the affordability of their products to small farmers.

    However, the baseline forecast, he noted, is subject to downside and upside risks, especially in relation to the evolution of fertiliser subsidy schemes, weather-related crop shortfalls, and the evolution of world economic activities.

    Experts said fertiliser use is very low in Africa, and to increase crop production, farmers must increase their fertiliser use. However, while nitrogen-based fertiliser use has begun to increase in Africa in the last 10 years, the application of phosphorus to cropland has not kept pace, leading to a growing imbalance between nitrogen and phosphorus levels in soil.

    But a new study shows that increase in nitrogen and phosphorus input must happen in a way that provides crops with the balanced nutrient input they need.

    The study used data from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) crop trials as well as an established EPIC large-scale crop model to estimate how the imbalance affects current and future crop yields. “Previous research has looked at these effects on a field and local scale, but this is the first study to do so at the continental scale,” says IIASA researcher Christian Folberth, who also worked on the study.

    To make optimal use of nitrogen input, the researchers estimated that phosphorus applications would need to increase by 100 per cent. To close yield gaps, nitrogen applications would have to increase five-fold. Phosphorus applications would have to increase nearly 12 fold from 2.2 to 25.9 kg per hectare.

    But because of the cost of phosphorus, that remains a challenge. “While much of the remaining phosphorus reserves are found in Morocco, on the African continent, we need to find better ways for African farmers to access this precious resource,” says van der Velde.

    In response to increased use of fertiliser by farmers, the fertiliser industry is maintaining a steady stream of investment in new capacity, capitalising on the positive forecasts in consumption for the main nutrients namely, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

  • Ogun compensates land owners

    TO make more land available for food production, the Ogun State Government has paid compensation to 469 beneficiaries whose lands were acquired for agriculture in Imasayi in Yewa North Local Government.

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, said the compensation was paid on lost crops.

    Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr. Wale Ogunyomade, Mrs. Sokefun thanked the beneficiaries for their cooperation by making their land available for food production, adding that their efforts would go a long way in contributing to the state government’s resolve in making the state the nation’s food basket in no distant future.

    Managing Director, Freerange Farms, Mr. Michael Waugh, whose organisation will use the acquired land for poultry farming, said the project would provide employment for over 2,000 people while a scholarship programme would be established for the indigenes of the town as part of its corporate social responsibility.

    The traditional ruler of the town, Oba Gbadebo Oni, praised the state government for paying the compensation, assuring Freerange Farms of peaceful operation in the community.

     

  • How mechanised farming can boost agric

    For its capacity to guarantee food security, create jobs, reduce poverty, and increase production in the agricultural value chain, more farmers are embracing mechanised agriculture. However, some factors are limiting full-scale mechanisation, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Kaboji Farms, located in Kaboji Town, in Kontagora, Niger State, has carved a niche for itself in mechanised farming.

    The 10,000-hectare farm, established by Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) to cultivate maize and other cereals has investments worth over N1 billion.

    The farm has 2,000 hectares of maize and 1,000 hectares of soya beans, and other cultivated crops, such as rice and cassava. The Nation learnt that as part of its expansion programme, the management of the farm has concluded arrangements to further increase the cultivated area by 2,000 hectares over the next five years, with an output projected at 7000 metric tonnes (MT).

    This would allow the cultivation of new sugar cane varieties using drip irrigation. Already, Flour Mills has established a feed mill in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to absorb the expected products of the firm’s aggressive expansion.

    That Kaboji Farms is one of the success stories of the administration’s emphasis on driving the economic transformation agenda, using agriculture is not so much the size of its farm; rather, it is the firm’s decision to embrace mechanised farming, which it believes is one of the viable ways forward for farmers.

    As the Farm Manager and Agric Technical Advisor, Kaboji Farms Limited, Mr. Kobus De Jager, explained, Nigeria needs large commercial businesses to transform her agriculture and food-producing ability. He said the key to profitable commercial farming is good yield and control of key input, hence the farm uses the latest farming techniques or highly mechanised approach, which, in the last two seasons, has guaranteed increased yield of more than 50 per cent.

    While stressing that profit remains the reason for any business, De Jager noted: “Efficient and cost-effective cultivation practices are key for a farmer to remain competitive in a highly specialised industry. In some farms, it would have taken between 60 and 70 workers at least three to four weeks. This is talking about thousands of naira saved on labour alone.”

    He said the way forward is commercial agriculture, adding that modernising commercial agriculture is adding value to and improving the farm and its products, their relevant value chains and the community. He said the mission and vision of the company is “to establish and maintain a self-sufficient and profitable farming business, and to become a credible supplier of high value agricultural products”.

    He explained that the farm has mechanised maize and other crops operations and an increasing portion of the cultivated land is being irrigated. The results of such efforts, he said, are instant and impressive, as yields tripled and economic returns improved significantly. The intervention also helped promote improved agro-input and modern agricultural machinery, which involves widespread adoption of High Yield Varieties (HYVs), combined with high levels of inorganic fertiliser and irrigation. HYVs are able to absorb more nitrogen. Given the right inputs, the crops grow faster and yield more.

    With this, De Jager said the management of the Farms is optimistic that sustained and dynamic agricultural growth initiatives such as those it has embarked on, would contribute to food security, sufficiency and help Nigeria realise its huge potential as an economic giant in Africa and beyond. On its part, the firm regularly upgrades its farming implements and machinery. Machinery has replaced many jobs formerly carried out by manual labour. The firm uses automated tractors, seed planters and combined harvesters, which uproot the crops from the fields, sort them and package them. During planting sessions, the firm uses the seed planter machine, which does the planting of the seedlings in the vast fields.

    According to De Jager, the firm has been able to plough and manage about 3,000 hectares of land of the adoption of high level mechanisation. Because of prolonged dry spells, a lot has to be invested in water harvesting and irrigation.

    Also, with mechanisation, the farm drastically reduced its workforce, retaining only those whose services are essential to its operations. As he pointed out, a streamlined workforce means that the workers are earning decent wages that enable them to build a future for themselves and their families. The company also benefited immensely, emerging as one of the leading agribusiness companies in the country.

    With mechanised agriculture, he said farmers or farming firms can cultivate vast land at minimal time and harvest what is enough to feed the population as well as reap huge yields and earn income.

    He noted that it is not so same with small farmers because they use manual labour. This limits their ability to meet domestic needs, leaving the country dependent on substantial imports during off season months, as a lot of farmers face the challenge of high seasonality, post harvest losses of about 40 per cent and various production constraints.

    But as attractive as mechanised farming is, some factors still limit its adoption by farmers. Flour Mills of Nigeria, Alhaji Yunus Olalekan Saliu, said small scale farmers have a limitation in engaging in large-scale commercial agriculture. For this reason, he said the government needs to encourage the private sector to increase investment into agriculture, luring investors to food markets on the premise of favourable returns.

    He said private sector firms will do more to improve the potentially lucrative agriculture markets. In theory, this should enable producers benefit from improved technology and rural infrastructure while generating greater income as a result of guaranteed supply lines to large agribusiness companies.

  • Boost for cassava production in Osun

    The Federal Government last year supplied farmers in Osun State with 26,556 bundles of improved cassava to boost production.

    The Poject Manager, Osun State Agriculture Development Project (OSADEP), Mr Mukaila Omisore, said in Osogbo that 1,300 farmers benefited from the hybrid cassava called “TMS 419”.

    He said the variety was tagged “TMS 419” because of its deceptive nature, explaining that it has lean stems but very big tubers.

    “Everyone gets surprised when big and unexpected tubers are uprooted during harvest; its appearance on the farm is deceitful and that is why it is christened 419.’’

    He said OSADEP conducted 26 trainings every forthnight for farmers to expose them to how they could improve on crop production and protect the farm from pests and other attacks during the period.

  • Farmers seek enabling environment

    The Executive Secretary, Plantation Owners of Nigeria (POFON),Mr Fatai Afolabi, has urged the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for palm oil investors.

    Speaking in Lagos, Afolabi stressed the need for the government to sustain the implementation of the agriculture policy, especially on zero duty on importation of all agricultural equipment, machinery and processing facilities.

    “We get reports from our members indicating that customs still insist on duty as against the policy that agricultural equipment should be tariff free.

    “Government should help us ensure that the policy is implemented, as it has been a major challenge for palm oil investors.’’

    He urged the government to maintain the 35 per cent duty on importation of palm oil, to enable existing investors to sustain their business.

    “It is difficult for our members to increase their production capacity in a condition where the commodity is being imported into the country extensively.’’

    He appealed to the government to make a decisive policy statement that would assure existing investors of the enabling environment for palm oil production.

  • Govt eyes three million tonnes of fish yearly

    The Federal Government plans to increase fish production from 780,000 to three million tonnes yearly.

    Speaking in Lagos during the Regional Workshop on Aquaculture organised by the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, said the government was determined to achieve self-sufficiency in fish production next year.

    The government, she said, has identified areas of support, naming them as hatchery management and brood stock bank development. These would lead to increased production of fish fingerlings, table fish, fish processing and marketing, she said.

    Mrs. Odusote said the ministry was able to profile 168 fish farmers producing table fish in 31 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    She said the ministry was promoting the production of male tilapia technology and other cultural fishes such as niloticus, gymnarchus species, heterotisni-loticus and heererobrancnus.

    The ministry, she added, is collaborating with the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries (NIFFR) and the National Instiute for Marine and Oceanographic Research (NIOMR) to produce about 5,000 brood stocks. This is to develop and improve fish stock and better fingerlings for distribution to farmers. The government, she said, would create the right environment for new businesses to prosper to grow the coastal economy.

    According to her, the Agriculture Transformation Agenda sets out specific initiatives that the government will undertake to support fisheries and aquaculture.

    The government, she said, was seeking broad-based cooperation and synergy to optimise the use of scarce capacity and resources.

    She reiterated the government’s desire to work with farmers to achieve the shared goals of a thriving fishing industry, sustainable fish stocks and a healthy marine environment.

    Executive Secretary,Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) Prof. Baba Yusuf Abubakar described WAAPP as a World Bank-assisted programme for member-countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Abubakar, represented by the National Project Coordinator, WAAPP Nigeria, Prof. Damian Okey Chikwendu, said the objective of the programme is to improve agricultural productivity in the ECOWAS countries and at the same time encourage integrated development of agricultural research into technology.

    Chikwendu said WAAPP-Nigeria seeks to increase the technical proficiency and productivity of its various services by sponsoring the formation of a value chain innovation platform through stakeholder groups.

  • IITA launches weeds control technology for cassava

    The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has launched a new multi-year project on sustainable weed management technologies for cassava-based farming systems.

    In a statement, its Communication Officer, Mr Godwin Atser, said the project was aimed at finding solutions to the labour-intensive weeding usually performed by women and children and to increase cassava productivity for 125,000 Nigerian farm-families.

    It said the project had the potential to serve as a livelihood transformation model for all cassava-producing states in the country.

    “Cassava is generally grown by smallholder farmers who appreciate its tolerance of drought and poor soils.

    “Its prospects in Nigeria, the world’s largest producer of cassava, were being threatened by insufficiently developed weed management practices.

    “Hand and hoe weeding are the predominant weed control practices on smallholder cassava farms and takes 50 to 80 per cent of the total labour budget of cassava growers with women,’’ the statement said.

    IITA’s Project Manager, Dr Alfred Dixon, said weeding required up to 500 hours of labour per hectare to prevent economic losses in cassava roots.

    “This burden compromises the women’s responsibilities and the children’s education, and Nigerian farmers will continue to record low yields until weed control in cassava is improved.

    “We are engaging in new research and deploying our best resources to ensure that smallholder farmers increase their agricultural productivity and improve the nutrition of their families,” Dixon said.