The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • IFAD-VCDP trains 60 youths on farm management

    The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has trained 60 youths from three states on farm machinery management in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    The state Programme Officer, Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), IFAD, Mr Nnamdi Aguncha, stated this in Onitsha.

    VCDP is an intervention programme by IFAD for rice and cassava production.

    Aguncha said the youth, selected from Anambra, Ebonyi and Ogun states, converged on Awka for the training to boost rice and cassava production.

    “The workshop, which centered on practical demonstration of the various ways of using the simple farm implements is to reduce drudgery and to encourage youths to take up agriculture as a business.

    “We conducted a survey in 2018 where we discovered that the population of youths in agriculture under the VCDP was low.

    “So, we looked inward and discovered that farming was tedious for them; and so, we decided to introduce some machinery to attract and support them,” he said.

    He said the youth were being trained on use of equipment like threshers, power tillers, de-stoners, harvesters and manual/mechanical transplanters, among the 20 farm implements.

    “We intend to support them with these machineries to create jobs for them and to use the machines to render services that will lead to increased production of rice and cassava.

    “The trainees will step down the skills acquired to others when they returned to their base,” he said.

    He said IFAD-VCDP will support the youth with 70 per cent cost of any implement chosen by any group that had made available their 30 per cent matching grant.

    Aguncha expressed hope that the training and support would rekindle youths’ interest in agriculture.

     

  • FG to disburse N180b to farmers in 4yrs – BOA MD

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Kabiru Adamu has said that, the bank under the President Muhammadu Buhari initiated Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) has disbursed over N90 billion to farmers in the last for years.

    He, however, disclosed that about N180 billion will be spent in the next phase of the programme, which will cover new crops like; palm oil, cotton and sesame seeds among others.

    The BOA boss who disclosed these at the ongoing 40th Kaduna International trade fair, said the programme has also created employment and increased yield thereby addressing food security in the country.

    He further noted that additional crops that were not there have been introduced including palm oil, cotton, sesame seeds and the like which will be covered under the ABP.

    According to him, “Nigerians should expect a boast in the activities that we have undertaken under the ABP in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Immediately after the declaration of Mr. President as duly elected, the CBN called a stakeholders meeting where new targets were set.

    “The new targets are ambitious and as a Public Financial Institution, we stand committed and ready to meet the target set by the CBN.

    “As you are aware, the ABP is one of the cardinal promises made by Mr. President during their electioneering campaigns, we have supported the programme to enable it to a large extent, by disbursing over N90 billion to farmers.

    “We have created employment through the programme and we have increased yield production and by extension food security in the country. With the election of R. President, Nigerians should expect more through the programme. ”

    He assured of government’s commitment to make things happen in the agric space and expressed commitment to support the desire of the government

  • Plant trees, Ogun residents told

    Residents of Ogun State have been urged to plant trees in their compounds to beautify the environment and mitigate the effects of global warming.

    A Director in the State Ministry of Forestry, Dolapo Odulana, made the call at a rally for schools and selected areas in Abeokuta metropolis, to mark the International Day of Forestry.

    He said the purpose of the rally was to sensitise people on the benefits of forest preservation and the need to prevent indiscriminate felling of trees.

    Speaking on this year’s theme, ‘’Forest and education’’, Odulana cautioned that deforestation would have a devastating impact on the people, as trees help to mitigate harsh environ-mental condition.

    Read also: ‘Why we must plant trees’

    “The forest is no doubt a veritable tool to mitigate the challenges of the environment and this is why we encourage everybody to raise at least a tree,’’ he said.

    If you and I would raise a tree, it will make a big difference in the environment”, he said.

    Places visited included: Ita-Oshin, Panseke, Itoku, as well as Abeokuta Grammar School, Egba.

  • Boosting agric via demonstration farms

    Stakeholders are seeking the establishment of demonstration farms to provide hands-on training, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Co-founder, PS Nutraceuticals, Samson Ogbole, a young agro entrepreneur, is teaching Nigerians how to cultivate yams and potatoes without sand.

    A biochemistry graduate of the Igbinedion University, Edo State, Ogbole trains farmers on his demonstration farm. He organises demonstrations to show farmers technologies.

    The visit to a demonstration farm allowed prospective farmers to share concerns on new techniques, technology and crops.

    At demo farms, farmers learn how to use their hands and machines, such as sprayers and cultivators. Farmers and trainers can exchange information and ideas.

    The immediate past Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA),  Dr. Samson Odedina, loves  to train people on agrobusiness, including how to manage their farms, dry and store grains, and use machinery.”I am a farmer, and I have great passion for farmers. I want to help farmers and make a better life for them,” he said.

    When Odedina set out to promote profitable cassava farming, he did it with cassava demonstration plots across the campus. The college made available plots for students and farmers. It was a success story. The demonstration farms showcase agricultural techniques and technologies to improve crops.

    They also serve as a venue for research and testing of new methods alongside traditional ones.

    Depending on what’s being tested or showcased, he said demonstration farms could have various crops, livestock or poultry breeds, and fertiliser and technology.

    He said demonstration farms allow the students to practise what they learn in the classroom under the supervision of their lecturers.

    Now the Rector of Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, Ogun State, Odedina still promotes demonstration farms.

    He said to be successful, demonstration farmers must know how to plough, apply fertiliser, and herbicides and harvest.

    In addition to acting as a platform to educate farmers,  he said demonstration farms (model farms) foster innovation.

    The farms, according to him, im-proves business sustainability through efficiency in agrifood supply chains, boosting the competitiveness of farmers.

     

    Field demonstrations

    According to him, on-farm demonstrations serve as one of the most effective extension education tools.

    Although demonstrations require considerable time and effort, experts believe the payback comes when farmers adapt to practices they perceive to be effective and appropriate for local conditions.

    His cooperation with the farming community in Akure has made much progress in recent years.

    Following this, exchanges have been strengthened and businesses have developed rapidly in the area.

    Niji Group Chief Executive Adeniji Kolawole said demo farms had created new opportunities for the uptake of business models in the agro-food industry to revitalise the rural areas.

    Inspired by the belief that informed and skilled farmers are essential to the sustainable future of the agriculture sector, Kolawole embarked on demonstration plots aimed at offering and sharing field experience to farmers, extension workers, agri-businesses, and other stakeholders including input suppliers, traders, processors, government institutions, and students within his green project  at Ilero, Oyo State.

    The demonstration plots, well-designed, stimulate farmers to experiment with innovative ideas, practices, and technologies that can improve and increase their income.

    Kolawole said there was need to  revolutionise the way innovations in agriculture and food are brought to market by bridging the present and future to grow a more diverse and sustainable farm economy and provide healthy food for all.

    He said demonstration farms established within farm states can transform agro-food industry as well as create new opportunities for farmers to participate in the innovation value-chain.

    According to him, farm estates with demonstration farms  provide a platform farmers to incubate new technologies that include pilot trials, farmer feedback and guidance.

    He  noted  that  investing  on demonstration and model farms add value to farmer-members and provides a new collaborative opportunity for startups.

    He said his vision was about a transformed agriculture and food economy centered around farmers, innovation, and prosperity.

    The Vice President, Local Market Farming Development of OCP Group, Madam Fathiha Charradi,  said the demonstration project initiated by the company operates through centres of excellence that aim to help productivity and recourse use efficiency by implementing technology and know-how.

     

    Solutions

     

    She said the platform acts as an engagement for the public to encourage a better understanding of farming and pesticides.

    She explained that farmers are showcased the benefits of soil moisture, reducing erosion and improving inputsr during field demonstrations.

    Each demonstration plot is visited by neighbouring farmers.

    The farmers hosted on demonstration plots see agriculture as a productivity-enhancing, labour-saving technology.

    Meanwhile, the Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof Uchenna Eze said schools in the state must provide and maintain demonstration farms to ensure that pupils embrace modern agriculture.

    Eze said a piece of land must, henceforth, be earmarked for farming in schools just as a field is provided for sports, adding that his ministry might reconsider fresh registration for schools to ensure that the school environment is conducive for different aspects of learning.

    According to him, education should be complemented with other activities aimed at developing every child’s talents in other areas of human endeavour.

    The commissioner explained that the new directive on provision of demonstration farms would form part of the requirements for registration of both public and private schools in the state.

    “For this singular reason, we have made it compulsory that the land for any primary school to be approved, henceforth, will be at least six plots of land.While that of secondary school must be nothing less than eight plots across board.

    ‘’This is to ensure that a piece of land is surely mapped out for the school demonstration farm in each school,’’ he said.

  • Importers are greatest wreckers, says Ogbeh

    The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh has declared importers are the greatest wreckers of Nigeria’s efforts to promote patronage of locally produced products.

    Ogbeh made this known in Abuja on Tuesday when he appeared before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Agriculture to defend the ministry’s budget.

    He said that international merchants such as importers of such products as toothpick, sugar, vegetables, and pencils were frustrating government’s efforts at ensuring that Nigerians bought made in Nigeria goods.

    “We are a nation of importers. Toothpick every year costs us 18 million dollars, tomato paste costs us 400 million dollars.

    “Meanwhile, a basket of tomatoes is less than N2, 000. The farmers are losing money because the processors do not have enough funds to set up factories.

    “Two factories have started off. I am sure by the end of next year we can comfortably tell the importers of tomato paste to stop.

    “Unfortunately, when you do you make enemies; even the importation of rice that we are trying to reduce is creating for us enemies, heavy enemies, people, who can kill if they have the opportunity because you are spoiling their business.

    “Nobody should take this lightly. These guys have hijacked the economy of this country.

    “They have taken it hostage and they have no intention of giving up. This regime is unpopular in part because it is trying to cut down imports and transfer the wealth to another thing.

    “I know what I am saying because I have been in this business for 41 years. We import sugar, handkerchief, toothpaste, even pencils.

    “I read in the newspapers recently that the Champagne Ambassador in Nigeria said Nigerians love life. We are the biggest consumers of champagne on planet earth. More than the French, who made it.

    READ ALSO: Good news from Audu Ogbeh

    “It will take a strong government to cure Nigeria of this problem,” he said.

    He said it was unfortunate that some Nigerians, who had developed so much appetite for foreign goods, were finding it difficult to begin to patronise locally produced goods.

    “There is made in Nigeria rice in super markets across the country, but I have no sympathy for those who insist that it must be foreign rice.

    “I have no cure for their disease. If they prefer foreign rice I cannot stop them,” he said.

    He said it was unfortunate some reasons given for foreign produce was borne out of the need to show class and not because the products were better than locally produced goods.

    The minister said that the country could pride itself as one of the largest producers of rice and yam in Africa.

    He promised that the Federal Government would begin to consider the possibility of exploring cocoa and other cash crops.

  • Industrialist seeks increased surveillance on harmful frozen fish import

    FORMER Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Agriculture Sector Chairman Prince Wale Oyekoya  has called on the government to  tighten the noose on fish  smuggling.

    Oyekoya, managing director, BamaFarms, who spoke in Lagos, while adressing a food and agriculture writers forum, said smugglers bring in frozen fish, such as tilapia and croaker through the country’s land borders, stating that the circulation of unhealthy fish and fishery products into the market, has resulted in grave health implications, such as kidney disease and cancer.

    To check their activities, he  urged the government to strengthen  the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Marine Police, Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Agriculture Quarantine Service to increase survelliance

    He said some of the fish smuggled from China have chemicals that are harmful to health, adding that consumers of such imported products, which are cheaper than the local ones from farms, lakes and rivers, risk untold health consequences.

    Oyekoya said economic revival lay in the restructuring and revamping of the agricultural system.

    His words: “In my view, one of the most serious  problem of food and agriculture in Nigeria is leadership, policy summersault mismanagement, embezzlement and corruption of public funds that are very common within government officials.”

    Oyekoya called  for increased  efforts to support agriculture, rural development, poverty reduction,  asking for the country’s facilitation of  an  enabling  environment   for   investors.

    He said: “Nigeria’s agricultural commodities and food import bill have on the average over N1 trillion in the past years.

    These huge amount was expended on items that the country has the potential to produce locally. For instance, the import bill of rice and wheat was estimated at N428billion and N307billion in 2017 and 2018, which has continually depleted our foreign reserves.”

  • Group unveils farmers’ data platform

    A GROUP of researchers, the OpenFarm Network, composed of Information Communication Technology (ICT), has created an online information services platform for smallholder farmers.

    It plans to integrate agricultural research data using ICT tools and techniques to produce platforms to analyse large quantities of open data on farming.

    Its Executive Director, Mr. Segun Ogunwale   said the  data platform will use data to improve farmers’ lot.

    He said the platform will promote  knowledge and information in developing farming practices, increasing output and as such, improve livelihoods.

    Ogunwale said the group will deploy complementary technological strengths  to  enhance productivity, promote agro trade and investment and tackle shared challenges.

    He said the network equips agribusiness owners and other players in the sector with data and insights to make well-informed decisions.

    The OpenFarm Team emerged the winner of synergos’ hackathon to develop a state-level dashboard for agriculture. The British Council also recognised OpenFarm as one of the  top 20 youth-led enterprises in 2016.

     

  • ‘Planting with early rains risky’

    Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture Oil Palm Seedlings Desk Officer  Mr Chijioke Egbo has cautioned farmers against planting of seedlings, following the early rains in the state.

    Egbo gave the warning in an interview in Enugu, saying it was risky to cultivate with early rains.

    According to him, it is a risk for oil palm and other farmers to go into cultivazation for the new farming season without having enough rain or water reservoirs in the farm.

    He said: “Farmers should not be deceived by the recent rains because planting seedlings with the early rains will be a useless effort.’’

    “Since most Enugu farmers depend on natural rain, farmers should wait until April when rainy season would be in full

    Egbo said without full rain or water reservoir, planted crops might roast in the ground because of too much heat.

    He urged farmers to use the period of waiting for the rain to clear their farmland and engaging in other pre-planting activities before the rains set in.

    He called on the government at all levels to create irrigation for farmers to enable them to grow their seedlings and farm all-year round.

    “With the help of irrigation, many farmers will no longer be waiting for rainy season before they begin planting,” Egbo said.

  • World Bank, Lagos to enhance food security

    The World Bank, in partnership with Lagos State, through its Agro Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) project, is to help 10,000 farmers improve their livelihoods, writes DANIEL ESSIET.

    The agriculture sector plays a major role in boosting food security globally. But the sector in Nigeria still is yet to achieve  self sufficiency in food production. Despite attaining a level of self-sufficiency in some staple foods, food insecurity remains a concern across the country.

    However, there is hope as the World Bank has stepped in to help. through its  Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) project aimed at enhancing the productivity of small and medium-scale farmers and improving value addition along priority value chains.

    The bank has earmarked $200 million for the project. Six states -Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Cross River, Kogi and Enugu – will participate in the project.

    Speaking during a farmers’ sensitisation on APPEALS in Lagos, the state Ministry of Agriculture  Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olayiwola Onasanya, said Lagos and the World Bank would foster sustainable agriculture and rural development.

    Through APPEALS, he said, the World Bank aims to promote decent opportunities for women and  youths through exchanges of knowledge and best practices on agriculture, access to markets and management of financial resources.

    He said the value chains to be supported by APPEALS in Lagos were aquaculture, poultry and rice.

    The number of direct beneficiaries, Onasanya said, is about 10,000 with 50,000 farm households as indirect beneficiaries.

    To him, Lagos has the potential to be a powerhouse in agriculture and the government wants to help the sector attain full potential.

    Onasanya reiterated that the government was determined to establish Lagos  as a hub for agricultural and food innovation.

    On rice, he said Lagos was working on a rice mill, with a projected 32 metric tonnes per hour production capacity. The plant will create more than 200,000 jobs  and produce 130 million kilogrammes of rice yearly.

    He said the state was determined to promote rice as an agro enterprise venture.

    Onasanya reiterated that the state has integrated youth employment into its agriculture and rural development policies, strategies and programmes.

    The Permanent Secretary said the state has developed testing capacity  for agro exports and local foods, adding that the Ministry of Agriculture is strengthening the capacity of its product department to provide services in support of market access for exporters.

    Onasanya said every effort is being made to enable farmers comply with international food testing standards and good  agricultural practice techniques.

    The State Project CorodinatorAPPEALS, Mrs Oluranti Oviebo said the project relies on strategic alliances with  partners to provide better life opportunities for women and  youths.

    According to her, the project will tackle key constraints of the agriculture sector, such as low productivity, lack of seed funds for establishing agro-processing plants, lack of access to supportive infrastructure, and low level of technology adoption and limited access to markets.

    On poultry, she said the project recognises its importance for rural livelihoods and its role in improving food and nutritional security.

    She said APPEALS will work with farmers in some areas, including the development of training focused on profitable poultry production.

    To meet their needs, she said farmers would be provided extension support, and special efforts made to link poultry producers to distributors for input and offtake.

    She said the project is committed to helping inclusive businesses grow and continue to have a positive impact on people living at the base of the economic pyramid.

    Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) Programme Manager, Dr Olamilekan Sheteolu-Pereira said the government is committed to empowering small-scale women and youth farmers.

    He said the state has been able to crash the price of rice per bag  from N24,000 to N14,000, adding that there is a plan to reduce the price to N10,000.

    A member of the APPEALS Steering Committee, Mrs. Bosun Solarin  said the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry is  ready to support the state to promote sustainable livelihood for farmers.

  • Hello Tractor, CTA partner to support small holder farmers

    Hello Tractor and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU have announced a partnership to increase smallholder farmers’ access to mechanisation services and youth employment opportunities.

    The deal will enable Hello Tractor to expand its services across Nigeria and Kenya to connect 5,000 smallholder farmers to mechanisation services, as well as to create jobs for youth as tractor operators and booking agents.

    Across sub-Saharan Africa, farmers face some of the lowest rates of mechanisation. Despite the benefits of tractor mechanisation, cost and access have been key impediments to its widespread adoption.

    Hello Tractor connects tractor owners to farmers through an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-enabled digital solution that bridges the gap between manual and mechanised farming. The service enables farmers to request affordable tractor services, while providing enhanced security to tractor owners through remote asset tracking and virtual monitoring. Through technology, the company is creating sustainable business opportunities for compact tractor owners, while ensuring smallholder farmers have affordable and convenient access to mechanisation services.

    “We are delighted to partner with Hello Tractor in expanding its innovative digital platform to reach a large number of users that will contribute not only to modernising smallholder agriculture and increasing productivity but also to attracting young people to agribusiness in Africa,” said Director of CTA, Michael Hailu.

    “We are excited to work with CTA to improve the delivery of mechanisation services to smallholder farmers. Through this collaboration, we will identify, train, and grow the number of youth serving as booking agents on serving farmers.This partnership will grow demand for tractor services through targeted digital initiatives aimed at better coordinating the market,” said founder and CEO of Hello Tractor, J ehiel Oliver.

    Hello Tractor was awarded a grant following a CTA call for proposals for ICT-enabled mechanisation in Africa. The call for proposals was issued to explore and implement initiatives to support the effective use of digital technologies for agricultural transformation in Africa.