The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Agric

  • Project empowers 60,000 young agric produce loaders, others

    Project empowers 60,000 young agric produce loaders, others

    Nine thousand young agric produce loaders and transporters, as well as 57, 750 young Persons With Disabilities (PWD) in the agric value chain have been supported by Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) ICON2 project with cargo tricycles, seed production hubs and workspaces as well as vocations, such as fashion design, fabrication and phone repairst to mark 2024 International Youth Day (IYD) in the North.

    Under the ICON2 intervention, WOFAN has designed a mini project to create decent and sustainable jobs for loaders, transporters and PWD.

    In Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Bauchi and Gombe states as well as Federal Capital Territory, 300 groups formed by the young loaders and transporters, received cargo tricycles, while 3,850 PWD got tricycles to improve their mobility and access to workspaces provided by the project.

    Speaking in Kudai, Jigawa State, Executive Director of WOFAN, Salamatu Garba, said WOFAN ICON 2 project is funded by Mastercard Foundation to support 675,000 youths in nine states to develop and maintain sustainable livelihoods and improve quality of life, in line with the foundation’s bold Young Africa Works-Nigeria (2021-2030) strategy.

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    Garba, represented by WOFAN’s Finance Manager, Abdulrasheed Abdulazeez, noted WOFAN and the foundation carved out a mini project from ICON2 Project to target youth loaders and transporters as well as PWD.

    She said to ensure youths in the two categories have a pathway to decent and sustainable jobs, they were mobilised to form groups of 30 members each, receiving training on group formation and management dynamics as well as enterprise management.

    Earlier, Chief Imam of Kudai, Gwani Alaramma Malam Isah, said WOFAN ICON2’s support for young loaders and transporters as well as PWD will make them self-reliant.

    Traditional Leader of Aujara (Hakimin Aujara), Alhaji Aminu Danmalam  pledged his support for WOFAN and Mastercard Foundation.

  • Women’s body to encourage youths in agric

    Women’s body to encourage youths in agric

    Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive and Development Initiative (NWAPDI) is to hold a National Youth in Agriculture Convention to create opportunities and encourage  youths in agriculture.

    National Coordinator,  Omolara Svensson, said the convention, organised with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Bank of Agriculture, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, and others, will expose youths to the opportunities in the sector.

    She said the convention: “Sowing the seeds of sustainability” for youths from 16 to 35, holds Wednesday in Abuja.

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    Svensson said the convention will offer training on export market, crops/livestock production, local/international networking and how to access affordable local and international funding.

    “The opportunities are huge, from access to scholarship in government-owned institutions, affordable funding, training on cash crops cultivation, processing and export, as well as training on fishery and livestock.”

    According to her, agriculture is the only sector that guarantees sustainable income and it is time Nigeria built future leaders in the secto.

    “The agricultural sector is the only sector you are guaranteed a sustainable and decent source of income, from cash crops farming to processing, commodity export to livestock.”

    The convention can also be or through webinar.

  • Odua refocusing on agric., tech business

    Odua refocusing on agric., tech business

    The Odu’a Investments Limited is now focusing on agriculture to address food insecurity and technology business to create opportunities for youths and the overall economic development of Southwest Nigeria.

    The Chairman, Board of Directors of the conglomerate Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, revealed this in an interview with reporters at the opening of the company’s liaison office in Lagos during the week.

    Ashiru explained that food insecurity was increasing in the region and the entire nation which he said made it pertinent to treat agricultural business with higher priority.

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    “We want to focus on food growing. We need food in this country. That is why we are focusing on it. We are also focusing on technology because we are in a new age that is driven by technology. We want the youths to be able to do things with us. Already, we have a project with the Ogun State Government. Our foundation is also focusing on information technology. We are driving the IT hub from this Lagos Liaison office, ”he said.

    On the new office which is located on the 15th floor of Western House on Broad Street, Lagos, Ashiru said: “We are making history to ensure that our foreign and local partners can come in and hold meetings with us here. We do not want them to be travelling to Ibadan. Some of them just want to fly to Lagos, have discussions with us, and fly back to their countries or other locations in Nigeria. We are making sure that whatever we are doing, we are upholding global standards.”

  • Lagos, FAO, others to improve agric sector

    Lagos, FAO, others to improve agric sector

    Lagos is seeking the partnership of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), African Union (AU) and other development partners  in uplifting the agricultural sector  as part of its development agenda. The focus is on increasing food production, improving per-acre yields, cultivating disease-free crops, and enhancing capacity building.

    The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Ruth Abisola Olusanya, emphasised the importance of utilising modern machinery and fertilisers to improve yields, as well as constructing food storage facilities and hubs to minimise post-harvest losses.

    Similarly, she  said  the construction of cold storage facilities  and meat processing plants is planned to enhance the productivity of livestock and fisheries sectors besides making their output more competitive in the international market.

    She pointed out that the future of agriculture production and food security depended on advancements in technology, favourable policies, and strong leadership. It was essential to form partnerships with donors and the private sector to accelerate the attainment of objectives.

    She said the collaborations with  the private sector  will involve a targeted exchange of technology, skill development, and information sharing on current agricultural practices such as technology, high-yield seed varieties, and crop management techniques.They must have a focused transfer of technology, capacity building and knowledge sharing on all modern agricultural farming trends including technology, advanced line seed variety and cropping techniques.

    With the establishment of  an agricultural engineering department,she noted that  utilisation of modern agricultural machinery stands as an imperative for augmenting agricultural productivity.

    She underscored the need for looking at possible actions which can help the country achieve sustainable agriculture and food security.

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    According to her, the  ministry’s   policy aims to increase farmers’ income and enhance food security. To achieve these goals, she said the ministry will continue to promote rural development,increase the welfare of farmers and fishermen, innovate agricultural technologies,  manage farmland resources, modernise infrastructure, upgrade facilities, and expand cooperation with  development partners.

    She  reiterated that the government will continue to  promote a farming system with diversified local produce to increase food self-sufficiency .

    According to her, the  ability of farmers to have timely access to crop inputs such as feed, seed and products for use in pest management, while maintaining rigorous regulatory requirements, is extremely important.

    She said the government is determined to  promote   small-scale fisheries  and other sectors in which the state has competitive advantage in the context of food security and poverty eradication..

    She further added that the government was making efforts  to develop  accurate data, empowered communities, and a thriving agricultural sector with  contributions from  crop and livestock, fisheries and aquaculture,  She highlighted  the significance of accurate and accessible data for strengthening agriculture  statistics as the  sector plays a critical role in food and nutrition security, employment creation, and income increase,

  • Group trains 60,000 smallholder famers, 2,000 Agro-entrepreneurs

    Group trains 60,000 smallholder famers, 2,000 Agro-entrepreneurs

    For improved agricultural practice, 60,000 smallholder farmers and 2,000 agro-entrepreneurs in Nigeria have been trained on innovative ways of farming.

    This was made known by HortiNigeria Program’s Director, Mr Mohammed Salasi while at the two-day learning workshop held in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    Salasi disclosed that the training focus on increasing the productivity and income of 60,000 smallholder farmers, which included 40 percent women and 50 percent youth. 

    He added that the training yielded increase in production by 92% in crops such as cabbage, onion, and tomato.

    He added that program is developing a sustainable and inclusive horticulture sector which has enhanced food and nutrition security across Nigeria, with specific interventions in Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, and Oyo states.

    Salasi who was represented by Abdullahi Umar further explained that since the inception of the program the initiatives has also facilitated access to finance for MSMEs, and improving sector coordination and business linkages.

    In his word “The program aims to enhance food and nutrition security in line with both Dutch and Nigerian objectives. Since November 2021, HortiNigeria has launched several initiatives across Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, and Oyo states, spanning ten value chains within the horticulture sector: cabbage, cucumber, okra, onions, pepper, sweetcorn, tomatoes, and watermelon”.

    “As HortiNigeria moves into its last year of implementation in 2025, the program is set to expand its reach and continue its vital work in enhancing the capabilities of smallholder farmers, agro-entrepreneurs, and financial institutions”.

    He noted that future efforts will focus on scaling successful innovations, increasing access to finance, and continuing to build robust systems for sustainable agricultural development”.

    Salasi also maintained has effectively utilized digital platforms and social media to extend its reach, engaging over 70,000 farmers with vital agricultural knowledge and updates.

    “The progress we have made in the past years shows the commitment of our consortium partners and the resilience of various commodity value chain players.”

    The program was funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria and implemented by a consortium, including the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer (EWS-KT), Wageningen University & Research (WUR), and KIT Institute (KIT),  shared significant advancements in the Nigerian horticulture sector.

    Presents at the event are Program Director Mohammed Salasi Represented by Abdullahi Umar, Productivity and Income Lead- David Alechenu, East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer African Director,  Elijah Mwashayenyi, Stefan Petrutiu, Consultant at KIT Royal Tropical Institute Netherlands, and others. 

    Meanwhile, as part of the effort to pilot an innovation on biogas, which promotes waste to wealth, HortiNigeria launched a cold storage facility at the soilless farm lab.  

    Smallholder farmers were also exposed to different sections of the Soilless Fam Lab at Awowo farm settlement to encourage them in innovative farming. 

    HortiNigeria during its visit to Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,  Farm Hubs, supported the institution with solar to ensure  an Eco-Efficient solution Institution. 

    Speaking during tours of Awowo and FUNAAB, a beneficiary from Ogun, Mrs Adetola Taiwo, appreciated HortiNigeria for its kind gesture and support to women and youth farmers.

    She added that they had been exposed to best agro practices, thereby increasing their innovation and productivity.

    Mrs Omolola Balogun, a beneficiary from Oyo State, said HortiNigeria had assisted them in building capacity and supported them with input technology, making it easier for farmers to farm all year round.

  • ‘Make priority funding for agric startups’

    ‘Make priority funding for agric startups’

    Africa urgently needs to bolster investment in its agriculture sector as a strategic move to enhance its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    A social entrepreneur and co-founder of Agriarche, Deina Mayaki, has highlighted the glaring insufficiency of funding directed towards the agriculture sector, despite its role in employing over 60 percent of the continent’s population.

    She noted that in the first quarter of 2024, a mere $50 million (11 per cent) was attracted to agriculture, in stark contrast to the $151 million (32 per cent) directed towards Transport/Logistics and $105 million (23 per cent) towards FinTech.

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    She lamented the lack of prioritisation for agricultural funding, citing a PwC report that showed less than 3.8 per cent of commercial bank funding went into agriculture.

    Despite agriculture’s immense potential, access to finance remained a major hurdle, particularly for smallholder farmers. “Agriculture claims to have about 60 to 70 per cent of the African population employed by it.”

  • Innovative agric startups, others to win prizes in tech contest

    Innovative agric startups, others to win prizes in tech contest

    Promising startups in agriculture and other sectors will win $10,000 and a trip to Japan to explore ways of boosting Nigeria’s economic growth. The event will be Pitch2Win competition organised by Techcircle, in collaboration with Freakout, SGverse and SGgrow,

    Nigeria’s tech scene is brimming with potential, but early-stage startups often face hurdles in securing funding and gaining recognition

    This year, Pitch2Win is set to take place on June 12 ,where 10 promising startups will have the chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of esteemed judges and investors. The selected startups will vie for a grand prize of $10,000 equity-freefunding and an all-expense-paid trip to IVS2024 Kyoto, Japan’s largest crypto conference,offering invaluable networking opportunities and exposure to global trends.

    Founder of Techcircle, Oo Nwoye,  said: “Pitch2Win is a mechanism for identifying high-growth-potential startups that are still in their early stages, enabling them to accessfunding, gain invaluable exposure and receive mentorship necessary for scaling.” The event attracts over 300 attendees, including investors, policymakers, accelerators, entrepreneurs, industry experts and founders. As with previous editions, the event will be attended by leading investors from Japan and Singapore, including SgVerse &SgGrow Founder, Hiro Mashita; Founder/Global Chief Executive, FreakOut Holdings Inc Yuzuru Honda, representatives from IVS Event and other investment companies scouting for early-stage startups in Nigeria.

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    Last year, after a very rigorous selection, 15 finalists moved to the final round of Pitch2Win where the top two winners — Pharmarun and Akowe  – got $10,000 and $3,000 prizes as well as Techcircle, in collaboration with Freakout, SGverse and SGgrow.

    Pitch2Win has forged a reputation for discovering innovative startups, introducing game-changing technologies, and fostering discussions crucial for early-stage startups.

    Past participants like Reliance Health, LifeBank, Edves,Lendsqr, and Figorr (formerly Gricd) have raised over $50 million, with RelianceHealth, the winner of the maiden edition of Pitch2Win, alone raising $46 million in twofunding rounds.

    Curacel, Reliance Health, and Plumter have gone to YC after participating in Pitch2Win.

  • ‘Agric contributes 24 % to GDP’

    ‘Agric contributes 24 % to GDP’

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, says the agricultural sector has contributed 24 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Fashedemi stated this at the inception workshop on the Abatement of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector project yesterday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop aimed to reduce open field burning (No Burn Alternatives) in the sector.

    Fashedemi was represented by Mr Osadiya Olanipekun, the Director, Agricultural Lands and Climate Change in the ministry.

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    He said that the sector also employed over 70 per cent of the population with predominantly small holder farmers, adding that a very critical reason emphasis must be on climate resilience in the sector.

    Fashedemi said that the ministry of agriculture is responsible for developing the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy with a view to growing the sector, driving income growth, accelerate food and nutrition security among others.

    ” However, in achieving this mandate, climate change is expected to increase the existing challenges faced by agriculture as food security and climate change are closely linked.

    ” There are key opportunities that exist in the sector to transform  climate-smart systems that addresses both food security and climate change,”he said.

    He said that open burning has been traditionally used as a cost effective method for agricultural management.

    Fashedemi said that Nigeria is one of the few countries to highlight its commitment to reduce SLCPs.

    The permanent secretary said that this is part of Nigeria’s  effort to mitigate the effect of Climate Change in the country.

    Also speaking,  Mrs Joy Aderele, the Country Director, Self Help Africa, Nigeria, said that SLCPs are  dangerous air pollutants responsible for various negative impacts on human health, agriculture and ecosystem.

    She said SLCPs are a group of pollutants that have relatively short lifetime in the atmosphere of a few days to about a decade and a half in the atmosphere.

    Aderele said the SLCPs is an 18 Month pilot project to work with 500 farmers participants to reduce open burning.

    She said that other participants in the project included 45 agricultural extension officers across the geo- political zones in the country.

    Aderele said that Gboko Local Government Area in Benue would be used as a pilot to demonstrate successful approaches to reducing open field burning.

    The Project Manager, Self Help Africa, Mr Julius Awu, in a presentation, said that one of the objectives of the SLCPs project was to contribute towards Nigeria’s goals of low carbon development and emissions reduction.

  • Entrepreneur seeks green agric

    Entrepreneur seeks green agric

    Chief Executive, Green Energy & Biofuels (GEB), an African energy company, generating power from bio ethanol, Femi Oye, has urged the Federal and state governments to promote the development of green agriculture to ensure sustainable growth and higher quality of products.

    In view of the growing global efforts to change the farming process to adapt to the green consumption trend, Oye indicated that the government will help to attract foreign investments if the agricultural sector is repositioned to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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    As the trend toward carbon emissions reduction continues, he continued that it has become pertinent for farmers to be encouraged and supported to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices, adding that it will not only help to protect the environment and reduce operating costs, but also create a new income stream by selling carbon offset credits on a carbon market.

  • States, stakeholders meet on Agric Extension Bill

    States, stakeholders meet on Agric Extension Bill

    Commissioners of Agriculture, permanent secretaries and heads of agencies yesterday met on the updated Draft Agricultural Extension Service Delivery Revitalisation Bill. 

    Speaking at the meeting organised by Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN-ICON2) Project, they noted the move will be a pillar to growth and livelihood improvement in Nigeria.

    Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, said Nigeria has about 70 per cent of farmers that cannot meet 50 per cent of the nation’s food demand.

    Noting the problem of agriculture lies with extension service, he said the effect of not having a clear legal framework around extension service delivery is negatively affecting food security.

    ‘’Extension bridges the gap between research and farmers, so if extension is not properly taken care of, we will continue to face food insecurity.”

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    Ebokpo said his state has  developed robust programmes to fill the gaps of extension.

    Commissioner for Agriculture in Kebbi State, Maigari Dakingari,  pledged support of the state to domestify the bill and ensure its speedy passage.

    Dakingari said there is need to improve funding for agriculture to allow private extension services to contribute to the agricultural sector and boost food sufficiency.

     WOFAN’s Executive Director, Hajia Salamatu Garba, said research has been done but it has not translated to action.

    Garba said commissioners and others were involved  so they could own the bill and give suggestions.

    “We need input to make a successful bill not to be turned down.

     “We have reached a stage where we look indeptly at agricultural policy and have it translated it into a bill which we are hoping to pass to National Assembly”, Garba said.