University researchers who led a study on water insecurity in conflict-affected communities in Adamawa state have presented their findings along with recommendations for community leaders and the government to improve water infrastructure.
During the presentation of their report, titled “Vulnerabilities to Changes in the Water System of Conflict-Affected Communities in Adamawa state,” the lead researchers and supporting volunteers highlighted the dire conditions faced by many residents, including instances where people had to drink water from the same sources as pigs.
The lead researchers: Dr Robert Inyeneke of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike; and Dr Tafida Ahmadu of Modibbo Adama University Yola, noted in their report that climate change adds to conflicts such as insurgency or communal clashes to make water systems a growing concern.
During the research validation workshop held in Yola, the researchers who worked under the auspices of development partners that include the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centre (CGIAR), recommended construction of new boreholes for communities lacking them, and rehabilitation of existing boreholes that no longer function.
The research report also seeks the provision of rainwater harvesting storage facilities for communities where water is particularly scarce.
Observing how the search for water has frequently caused conflicts between people, particularly between farmers and herders, the research report recommended the strengthening of local capacities for resolving water-related disputes.
Under the Photo Voice segment of the IWMI/WFP research, the lead researchers worked with trained volunteer researchers who inspected water sources around their communities and captured their findings in still and video frames.
They in particular detailed the appalling conditions of such water sources and made recommendations that include the need for new sources of energy to power boreholes as electricity petrol and diesel which are out of reach of ordinary people.
Lagos State has taken steps to sanitise the red meat value chain, as well as ensure consumption of healthy and wholesome red meat.
Commissioner for Agriculture Ms. Abisola Olusanya stated this in Alausa at the launch of the last Mile Meat Shops and Butchers’ Academy.
Ms. Olusanya said the initiative would increase residents’ confidence in what they consume, and also provide standard facilities to encourage youths come into the space.
The commissioner added that the initiative was also for residents to embrace butchery and correct the erroneous impression that the profession is reserved for the unenlightened.
Olusanya noted that the 20 feet containers designed as pilot scheme for the initiative can be easily transferred across different locations.
She said: “Each meat shop is to be manned by four youths allocated a cow slaughtered at approved government abattoirs and brought to them under hygienic conditions and processes”.
The commissioner thus sought collaboration with the private sector to enlarge the scheme, expressing the hope to increase the containers to 40ft.
She also hinted that the Cattle feed lot project is ongoing and will be delivered soon.
Chairman of the Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Emmanuel Olotu, hailed the ministry for introducing ideas that will bring food and comfort to residents. He urged the Butchers’ Association to practice what they learnt during training at the Academy.
Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of Butchers Association, Alhaji Kazeem Bakare, thanked the government for initiating the project, which he described as ‘innovation’ to his members. He said the nature and value of cows slaughtered now is different from many years back.
Bakare promised that the association will embrace the new idea for safe handling of meat, noting that the initiative will bring back members who have left the job.
In a landmark move to address food security challenges and foster youth employment opportunities, Zenith Energy Enzymes has announced the launch of the Home Farming for All Kits.
The innovative solution is to empower households across Nigeria to engage in home gardening while creating avenues for economic growth and youth development.
Following the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the declaration of a state of emergency on food security, the administration unveiled a renewed hope agenda.
The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu spearheaded the Every Home a Garden initiative, signaling a national commitment to enhancing food self-sufficiency.
The Home Farming for All Kits, developed by Zenith Energy Enzymes, are designed to equip households with the necessary tools for successful home gardening.
Featuring the Agric Zyme 3x Organic Liquid Fertilizer, enriched with enzyme boosters and pesticides, alongside certified planting seeds of Okra, Pepper, Cucumber, Tomatoes, and Maize, these kits enable efficient cultivation practices.
It is dedicated to fostering youth employment through the training and deployment of 1,000 extension agents per state.
These agents will play a crucial role in providing guidance and support to households embarking on home gardening endeavors, thereby driving economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
The procurement of the Home Farming for All Kits by State Governments signifies a monumental step towards achieving food security and stimulating economic growth.
With positive implications for all economic indicators, this initiative is poised to make a significant impact on the livelihoods of Nigerians.
The unveiling ceremony of the Home Farming for All Kits in Kwara State, sponsored by Raheem Tunji Olawuyi, is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Omuaran City Town Hall by 11 am.
This event underscores the collaborative efforts of government, private sector, and community stakeholders in advancing sustainable agriculture and youth empowerment.
With a stockpile capable of catering to 12 million households, Zenith Energy Enzymes reaffirms its commitment to supporting nationwide food security initiatives alongside government palliatives.
In Europe and other parts of the world hit by climate change in the agriculture sector, carbon farming, which refers to agricultural practices focused on sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the soil, has gained significant traction as part of efforts to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable agriculture. Although carbon farming is a growing industry in Nigeria where the agricultural sector is vulnerable to climate change, experts and operators say that the time has come for the country to embrace more of its opportunities. DANIEL ESSIET reports.
In March, this year, Valencia, Spain hosted the European Carbon Farming Summit. It was in response to calls for environmentally sound farming as the world’s environmental problems, particularly climate change, evidently became severe.
The event provided a platform for a range of stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, environmentalists, and technology experts, to share innovative approaches and discuss the need for sustainable soil management.
The summit, organised by SAE Innova, EIT Climate-KIC, and Project CREDIBLE, was indeed, a critical turning point in the development of sustainable agriculture and the fight against climate change. The European Commission’s introduction of the European Union (EU) framework on carbon removal certification was one of the summit’s main highlights. This framework offers a structured way to track and reward carbon sequestration, and it has the ability to standardise and certify carbon farming operations throughout Europe.
At the centre of discussion at the forum was carbon farming, which refers to agricultural practices aimed at sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the soil to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable agriculture. Accordingly, the event showcased a wide array of techniques, from regenerative farming approaches to state-of-the-art monitoring technologies, emphasising the importance of holistic solutions that not only sequester carbon but also enhance soil health and promote biodiversity.
Nearer home in Nigeria where carbon farming and other environmentally sound farming practices are yet to gain significant traction, echoes of the summit appear to have resonated with experts and operators in the agriculture sector, with many of them insisting that carbon farming is the way to go if Nigeria must address the myriad and complex challenges in her vast agricultural sector such as soil degradation, water scarcity, and the urgency to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Chief Executive, SMEFUNDS, Femi Oye, has been quite vociferous in this regard. He said the imperative for sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria has never been this compelling and urgent. While emphasising that environmental issues are interrelated and sustainable practices essential, particularly in industries such as agriculture, Oye said the time for a positive shift toward practices that are environmentally friendly and economically viable has never been this auspicious.
Oye is not new in the campaign to leverage carbon farming to combat climate change and turnaround the fortunes of the agric sector. He has been on the crusade to promote carbon farming which supports the growth of vegetation, contributing to biodiversity and the growth of the ecosystem. His perspective has never changed, i.e. Nigeria is confronted with several issues in agriculture such as climate change and environmental sustainability; that turning to sustainable agriculture practices and carbon farming is the tonic to turn the situation around.
Incidentally, the credibility of Oye’s position is not in doubt. In Ghana, for instance, the cocoa industry has received $4.8 million for lowering one million tonnes of carbon emissions brought on by deforestation and forest degradation. In addition, farmers in Ghana have increased yields and reduced climate change by implementing climate-smart cocoa methods. And by year end, analysts project it to soar to $45 million, with Oye insisting that Nigeria can also earn substantial carbon credits if the government supports agriculture and other sectors in its efforts to meet climate targets and obtain access to global carbon markets.
Oye sees carbon farming as a way to preserve and restore soil health through the increase of organic matter thus contributing to enhanced food production, resilience and security.
He believes that carbon farming is a promising approach both in terms of the positive impact it can have on the environment and farmers’ livelihoods. For him, compensating farmers through carbon credits is an excellent incentive, as it will encourage them to adopt environmentally friendly practices while also providing additional income streams.
Moreover, the potential for improved yields, reduced input costs, and higher crop prices for organic produce, according to Oye, further incentivises farmers to embrace these practices. He, therefore, wants to connect farmers facing various challenges with partners experienced in carbon farming practices. He sees this as an opportunity to help them benefit financially through earning carbon credits and to mitigate the negative impact on crops and animal health.
With Oye’s approach, Nigerian farmers who are ready to adopt climate-friendly practices can generate one credit per acre yearly, which is equivalent to removing one tonne of carbon dioxide from the environment.The credits will be sold in dollars in the global voluntary carbon market. His organisation’s verified carbon standard programme ensures credibility and transparency in the process, which is crucial for buyers in the carbon market. Once the process is complete, the verified credits can be put up for sale.
The sale of these credits in the global voluntary carbon market, The Nation learnt, allows for the monetisation of environmental benefits, providing additional income to participating farmers. Kenyan smallholder farmers are said to have benefited from carbon credits produced by better farming practices since 2014. To promote farming that is more productive, sustainable, and climate-friendly, the Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project (KACP), is said to have empowered thousands of farmers on several hectares using the Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (SALM) carbon accounting methodology.
KACP is an example of how carbon money may be used to promote agricultural sustainable development that benefits the environment and farmers.
To enhance the amount of organic matter in soils, Kenyan smallholder farmers are said to employ various techniques. Kenya is the continent’s top supplier of carbon credits, and it is one of the nations that stand to gain economically from carbon credits production through protection of biodiversity and jobs creation
Also, last year, Yara East Africa announced plans to partner farmers to implement carbon trading to support the government’s efforts to combat climate change. Partnering local farmers in East Africa demonstrated a commitment to contributing to environmental protection and agricultural development in the region.The fertiliser company is mobilising farmers and farmer organisations, research institutions, government agencies as well as the civil society to implement crop improvement strategies for food security and environmental protection.
The Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI), an initiative with the goal of improving carbon markets on the African continent, is at the forefront of this. It is implementing an ambitious plan for the continent to reach 300 million credits offered yearly by 2030. This is expected to unlock $6 billion in income and support 30 million jobs. According to ACMI’s projections, Nigeria can produce up to 30 million carbon credits yearly by 2030, which at $20 per credit would earn the country more than $500 million yearly.
Carbon farming is a growing industry in Nigeria. More is being done to encourage farmers to get carbon credits produced by commercial farming. Despite this, Lead Strategist at Ope Farms, Olusola Sowemimo, is one of the leading advocates for the use of climate-friendly farming methods. She has discovered several advantages, such as promoting biodiversity, reducing erosion, and producing wholesome food. She therefore, favours regeneration techniques in various climate scenarios.
Sowemimo thinks that more than ever, maintaining the soil is necessary and that farming and the natural world can coexist in a field. But preserving the soil, according to her, requires innovative and pioneering solutions. For her, the urgent reality of climate change demands immediate and collective action targeted toward improving farming practices to bolster resilience against climate change and biodiversity loss, essentially reimagining agriculture for a sustainable future.
She has been urging local farmers to adopt organic farming to boost healthy crops and lifestyle. She noted: “I have trained over 2000 people and I’m launching my online course soon.” Her organisation has helped several farmers adopt regenerative agriculture and organic farming. She found that carbon farming offers promising prospects, with long-term advantages being uncovered through collaboration and innovative techniques.
According to Sowemimo, farmers are essential to the success of carbon farming projects because of their expertise, know-how, and practical experience in putting into reality efficient carbon sequestration and emission reduction strategies.
However, experts think that in order for carbon farming to be successfully implemented in Nigeria, extensive public awareness campaigns must be launched through potent educational initiatives. These will involve all relevant parties and holding seminars to instruct and prepare farmers on the various advantages of carbon farming.They also stressed the importance of enhancing agricultural yields, promoting soil health, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
In recent years, Nigeria’s participation in continental commitments on climate change has brought about a significant shift in the approach to agricultural production toward transparency, responsibility, and sustainability. For instance, Clean Technology Hub, which mission is to promote sustainable solutions, is engaged in supporting the initiative to lift the incomes of Nigerian farmers.
Towards promoting sustainable agriculture, carbon sequestration, and climate finance in West Africa, Coöperatieve Rabobank and the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance (WAA) also signed a pact to empower smallholder farmers on climate change mitigation efforts in the region. Recently, ThriveAgric and Acorn Rabo Bank agreed to work together to enable over 30,000 smallholder farmers with carbon credit access.
The initiative is expected to facilitate the removal of 1.3 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions and generate $56 million in revenue for these farmers. Acorn Rabobank, the climate action arm of the 125-year-old Dutch bank Rabobank, tackles climate change through 27 projects across the world, including countries like Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
A farmer with one hectare of land is expected to make as much as $1,700 in revenue from carbon credits in a year. The project plans to empower smallholder farmers across nine states (Kaduna, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Jigawa, Niger, Nassarawa, and Kano) to regenerate their farmlands. This initiative tackles climate change by improving soil health, boosting biodiversity, and enhancing carbon capture.
Farmers will benefit from increased crop productivity, reduced post-harvest losses, and additional income from carbon credits and other climate-smart programmes.
With Nigeria facing unprecedented challenges due to erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events, the President, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama, sees these pressures threatening the entire food chain, as climate change substantially disrupts the traditional weather-based agriculture practices.
The Ogun State government has restated its commitment to mechanised agriculture to ensure food security in the state, as the state government is working round the clock to make farm produce available at the markets
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, said this during a 2-day training organised by the Contec Global Agro LTD, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), with the theme: ‘Training For 2024 Planting Season and Distribution of Inputs and Seminar to the Farmers.’
The training which was meant for the farmers’ extension officers, was held at the OPIC Plaza, Office, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
At the programme, Owotomo said that the training was another parameter and milestone in ensuring farmers’ improvement in agriculture output and their livelihood, saying that it would enhance their productivity and agricultural value chain.
He said that about two thousand farmers across the state were empowered with the agricultural inputs and herbicides to boost their farming methods, noting that the government would rest on its oars in ensuring food security across the state.
“Indeed, food security is our top priority in the state, as the administration led by Dapo Abiodun has ordered the massive empowerment of farmers across the state, including women farmers, so the state had distributed both crop inputs, herbicides and birds to the farmers, to boost their productivity and make food available for people’s consumption,” Owotomo said
He further said that over 500 women farmers were given N50,000 each to boost their food products, as well as providing them agricultural equipment, in terms of mechanized farming to boost and increase their farming outputs.
DR. Chuma Ezedinma, an agricultural economist at African Development Bank (AFDB), says the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone programme (SAPZ), will create jobs for no fewer than 200,000 residents in Anambra.
Ezedinma spoke with newsmen on the sidelines of a meeting tagged ‘Preparation Mission for the Development of the second phase of SPAZ programme,’ on Saturday in Anambra.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting on the SPAZ-2 programme had officials from the Federal Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and Food Safety, AFDB, and the Anambra State Government.
According to him, AFDB is very much interested in what is happening in the state because Anambra’s presentation on the SPAZ project is the best seen so far, and shows the state’s readiness to run.
“From what we have seen, about 450 hectres of land will be dedicated to the industrial site.
“We are looking at approximately 5,000 farm families per zone. Multiply it by three zones, you have 15,000 farm families in the state.
“If you also add other secondary jobs that will be created in the park itself, you will see that we are creating real massive employment for more than 200,000 people over the next five years.
“The state government had already committed resources to put infrastructure in place and there is also a private sector interest to deliver this programme within a very short time,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Louis Enaberue from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, commended Anambra State Government for its preparedness for the Phase Two of the SAPZ programme.
AgroEknor has announced its partnership with Olutoju to launch The Springboard Project, aimed at supporting female agro-processors in Kano and Jigawa State.
The initiative aims to empower women by providing the tools and resources necessary to build sustainable livelihoods.
The Springboard Project combines support for immediate needs like financing with longer-term human capital and asset investments.
By focusing on self-employment as a viable option, the aim is to reduce inequality and move more vulnerable households toward economic stability.
In Nigeria, where women constitute 75% of the agricultural workforce, accessing resources and opportunities for growth remains a significant challenge. The project is designed to bridge this gap by offering comprehensive support across five core elements: consumption support, savings, asset transfer, technical skills training, and regular life skills coaching.
Timi Oke, CEO of AgroEknor, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Olutoju on The Springboard Project, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable agriculture. By empowering female agro-processors in Kano and Jigawa States, we are not only supporting individual women but also fostering the economic growth and development of these communities.”
“Olutoju is delighted to be in partnership with AgroEknor. The Springboard project emphasizes the importance of focusing on women’s economic empowerment. We hope to reduce perpetuating inequalities that have plagued families across generations and hindered the development of our society.
“The success and expansion of the Springboard project will further strengthen the linkages between social protection and economic development, thus, providing the opportunity to move vulnerable households into the market economy, whilst supporting their journeys into self-sufficiency and improving access to financial services,” says Wura Solomon Asumah Founder of Olutoju.
Maryam Abdulmalik, Assistant General Manager of Partnerships at AgroEknor, expressed joy regarding the partnership, stating that “the collaboration allowed us to assess the situations of female agro-processors at AgroEknor, identify potential opportunities, and initiate conversations that enabled female beneficiaries to effectively utilize their earned income through savings and investments in profitable and productive ventures.”
In summary, it was a stimulating and valuable endeavour aimed at ensuring social and economic inclusion in the two states.
This partnership marks a significant step toward reducing poverty and inequality in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Through targeted support and empowerment, the initiative aims to create a more equitable and prosperous future for vulnerable women in farming agro-processing communities.
Former Oyo Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Abdulraheem Afonja has empowered farmers in Oriire Local Government Area with over N5m for yam seedlings.
He said the gesture was to support government’s efflrts on food security.
Speaking while presenting the cash to the beneficiaries, Afonja said the gesture was part of his continued efforts to assist farmers with inputs as raining season commences considering challenges facing them due to economic hardship.
He stated that the empowerment will not only complement efforts of Oyo State Government on food security but also enhance agricultural productivity in the Oriire LGA and Ogbomoso zone at large.
According to Afonja, when it comes to welfare of the people of Oyo state, there are five important basic things that must be the priority of any incoming government.
They include security, health, education, economy and social welfare of the elderly, children and retirees, he stated.
He said: “Every one of these areas must be tackled head-on for us to liberate our people from poverty and create prosperity. Without a secured state, none of those other four God-given basic needs can be met. That means the economy will suffer and investors will not invest in our dearest state.
“As a farmer in Orire Local Government Area, I have interacted with so many of the farmers, and they need help. The bank is not willing to give loans because they don’t have collateral and when they do, they will be asking for arms and legs. I understand what the farmer are passing through, and I understand their plight and their challenges in getting money to support their farming activities.
“I also understand the threat of losing everything to herders after putting all they have in their planting season. So many uncertainties that they have to face on daily basis. However, I have been supporting the local government area in terms of infrastructure (grading of their rural roads), and in terms of security especially my security outfit, OPC, and Agro rangers have continued to partner to protect the interest of farmers in Orire Local Government.
“As a journalist, you can confirm all these things. I have always said that the government cannot do it alone. This is why in the past, I’ve graded some of the farm roads in Orire and now I’m giving them money to support this upcoming planting season.”
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Bamikole Ezekiel expressed gratitude to Afonja, saying that the yam seedlings will enhance productivity during the planting season.
JULIANA AGBO reports on how the PBR cowpea has significantly improved the lives of Nigerian farmers, offering them relief amid challenging times.
In the heart of Nigeria’s rural communities, where agriculture is the backbone of survival, a quiet revolution is underway. It’s not marked by political rallies or grand declarations, but by the resilient green leaves of a plant, one that promises to change the lives of millions.
This plant is the PBR (Pod Borer Resistant) cowpea, a genetically modified variety that is bringing new hope to farmers struggling against the odds of climate change, pest infestations, and food insecurity.
The struggle of the Nigerian farmer
For decades, smallholder farmers across Nigeria have cultivated cowpea, also known as black-eyed pea, as a staple crop. Rich in protein and a vital part of the local diet, cowpea is more than just food; it’s a source of livelihood and cultural identity.
However, these farmers have been in a constant battle with one of nature’s most destructive pests: the Maruca vitrata pod borer. This tiny insect can wipe out up to 80 percent of a cowpea crop, leaving families hungry and incomes shattered.
“Every year, we would plant with hope, only to watch our fields be ravaged by this pest,” says a 30-year old Zainab Idris, a farmer from Tudun Wada in Kano State, Nigeria.
“The loss was not just of the crops, but of our spirit.”
The birth of PBR cowpea
In response to this challenge, a coalition of scientists, farmers, and agricultural organisations embarked on a mission to develop a cowpea variety that could withstand the relentless assault of the pod borer.
After years of research, trials, and testing, they introduced the PBR cowpea, a genetically modified variety designed to resist the Maruca pod borer.
The innovation lies in its ability to produce a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring bacterium that is toxic to certain insects but safe for humans and animals.
“This development was not just about creating a pest-resistant crop, it was about giving farmers the tools they need to fight hunger and poverty. This is about food security, Principal Investigator of PBR Cowpea Professor Mohamed Ishyaku said.
Transforming Lives
The impact of PBR cowpea has been profound. In regions where it has been introduced, farmers have reported up to 90 percent reductions in pest damage, leading to significantly higher yields.
For many, this means the difference between having enough food to eat or facing a season of hunger.
Gilbert Yakubu, a farmer in from Kaduna State, shares how PBR cowpea has transformed his life.
“Before, I could barely harvest enough to feed my family. Now, not only do we have enough to eat, but I can sell the surplus at the market. I’ve been able to send my children to school with the money I’ve earned.”
The benefits of PBR cowpea extend beyond the fields. With less need for chemical pesticides, the environmental impact is reduced, and the health risks to farmers and their families are minimised.
Women, who also make up a large portion of the agricultural workforce in Nigeria, particularly benefit as they often bear the brunt of pesticide-related health issues.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its successes, the introduction of PBR cowpea has not been without controversy. As with many genetically modified organisms (GMOs), there are concerns about the long-term effects on health and the environment. Some fear that reliance on genetically modified crops could lead to a loss of biodiversity or create dependency on seed companies.
“There is always resistance to change, especially when it involves something as fundamental as the food we eat.
“But the science is sound, and the benefits are clear. We continue to monitor and ensure that the introduction of PBR cowpea is done in a way that is safe and sustainable”, the Director General of National Biotechnology, Research and Development Agency (NABRDA), Professor Abdullahi Mustapha said.
The future of PBR cowpea
Looking forward, the success of PBR cowpea could pave the way for further innovations in crop biotechnology across Africa. With climate change threatening to exacerbate food insecurity, the need for resilient, high-yield crops has never been greater.
PBR cowpea is not just a solution for today, but a model for how science and agriculture can work together to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
For the farmers who plant these seeds, the impact is immediate and personal. “This cowpea has changed everything,” says Mrs Idris.
“Now, when I look at my fields, I see a future where my children won’t go to bed hungry.”
The story of PBR cowpea is one of resilience, of a plant, of a people, and of the science that seeks to empower them. It is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation is driven by the needs of those who stand to benefit the most.
In the verdant fields of Nigeria, where hope has often been in short supply, a new chapter is being written, one where the fight against hunger is being won.
Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, the first of the integrated agribusiness industrial hubs that Governor Makinde approved for Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) to build across the state, is almost completed. It is located on 1,100 hectares of land in Oyo West Local government, along Oyo Iseyin Road.
HISTORY
The hub was originally established in 1946 by the British colonialists because of the vast potential the area has for the agricultural sector, especially livestock and poultry. It was further developed under the old western region dairy farming during the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Fasola livestock farm was known all over Nigeria and beyond as a center of excellence for livestock research, breeding, and production.
Through the effort of the leaders during this period the N’Dama, a breed of cattle that has a body resistant to the common cattle disease in Nigeria as at then, called Trypanosomiasis (a cow killer disease transmitted by bites of tsetse flies) was introduced.
The N’Dama cattle were easily adapted to the ranching system at Fasola farm and other subordinate set-up ranches such as Odeda, Oniseere, Iwo Oloba, and Ikorodu. An average N’Dama cattle when slaughtered for commercial use weighs around 500kg, compared to local cattle with the biggest average of 150 to 250kg.
The government then introduced the cattle breed offerings for the consumption of the people of the southwestern states. It was from Grandparent stock to Parent stock and then used to breed commercial stock.
How Fasola farm collapsed
This great initiative however went down the drain during the military regime and was left moribund by successive civilian governments.
With the advent of the military government, the agricultural sector became areas with little attention, Fasola inclusive, the Cattle Ranching was established the livestock center had little or no attention, and the production of commercial stock cattle stopped. Both grandparent and parent stock were needed for government officials’ social occasions, while all the machinery for breeding was carted away.
None of the successive civilian governments showed interest in reviving the Fasola livestock farm. The farm turned from being moribund to becoming forest and thus introduced Fulani herders to southwestern states with an open grazing approach to livestock rearing.
Revived Fasola Farm And The Newly Introduced Livestock Transformation Center
Presently at Fasola Agribusiness iIndustrialHub, private investors have invested heavily in Animal husbandry, like the old Western region project, but with a modern technological drive. The new cattle breed initiative in Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub when fully in operation will not only supply cattle for commercial purposes but also produce quality processed milk in large quantities.
Dairy companies such as Friesland Campinna Wamco the producer of Peak and cCrownMilk, E4 Farms and Food Limited, and Milkin Barn Limited are presently breeding thousands of cattle in their various ranches at Fasola livestock transformation center, the goal is to obtain a new generation of cattle that will produce the desired products more efficiently under future farm economic and social circumstances than the present generation of cattle in the region.
A farm dairy manager, a Kenyan who works with Friesland Campinna Wamco spoke with newsmen about the new development at the hub, he stated how the company has been able to import cow semen from Kenya, which is being used to inseminate local cows.
He said that the Fasola farm is a rich farmland which, if put to use optimally, the people of Oyo state and neighboring states do not need to depend on other zones for agricultural produce.
Speaking further, ” he noted that Every breeding cow at Fasola is targeted to produce a maximum of 60 liters per day compared to the production of local cows, which is a maximum of 2 liters for processing and consumption.
“At present, the first generation of cows at Fasola farm has been producing 10 to 15 liters of milk, while, through insemination, the hub[AA(1] is preparing the cows for the second generation where each female cow will be producing up to 20 to 30 liters per day.
“Soon, we will have a situation whereby a cow can produce like 15, 30, even 60 liters per day. Cows of F1, meaning First Generation, can give you up to 10 to 15 liters. If you inseminate with AI, the total you can get is 20 to 25 liters. But if it is the Fourth Generation, you can have about 30 liters per day. You don’t need 30 cows to give you 60 liters but two cows can give you 60 liters.
The hub is also been used as a practical training ground for farmers on modern livestock rearing, artificial insemination, and pasture development for animals. Over 100 local livestock farmers and animal husbandry officers were been trained for free by the consortium group of experts from the Netherlands, the USA, and Brazil, on pasture production, modern artificial insemination, and livestock rearing and management, these will be a continuous program that Fasola livestock transformation center will offer livestock farmers in Oyo state.
Through the state-assigned project, Livestock Productivity and Resilient Support Project(LPRES) supported by the World Bank fund, over 1,000 livestock farmers will be strengthened through the Fasola Livestock Center
During the World Bank and National team of the LPRES that comprised 18 States visit to Fasola, the LPRES WB team leader noted that with what he saw, Oyo State is ahead of the project and has developed a livestock transformation center at Fasola that will change for good the history of livestock in Nigeria, he commended the visionary leadership of the governor of the state in bringing such a facility back to life for the benefit of farmers.
The administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has brought back the old memories of Fasola Farm. The aims and objectives of the state in agribusiness have come to life. The government has transformed the under-utilized and moribund Fasola farm into a modern Agribusiness Hub, creating an enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive by supporting infrastructure development and policy formulation. All residents of Oyo state should be proud of the rebirth of Awolowo’s Legacy in a modern way.
