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Tag: Food security

  • ‘Biotechnology accreditation in Nigeria tertiary institutions to boost food security’

    The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), says with the accreditation of biotechnology in some tertiary institutions, food security will be enhanced in the country.

    Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General of NBMA said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

    “Upon meeting the requirements set forth for the accreditation of institutions, the NBMA accredited some institutions to carry out biotechnology activities.

    “They include the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure; Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria; International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan and the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Abuja.

    Others are the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike,” he said.

    “We have certified containment facilities for bio-fortified cassava enhanced with pro-vitamin A at the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike.

    He said bio-fortified cassava enhanced with Iron had been concluded while Genetically Modified Cassava resistant to cassava mosaic virus was ongoing, adding that  brown streak virus had also been concluded at the institute.

    Egbeba said with the establishment of the agency, the universities and research institutes now had confidence to carry out biotechnology research expected to increase agricultural productivity as well as contribute to food security in Nigeria.

    “The agency has also granted Permit for Commercial Release and Importation of GM Crops for Feeds and Food Processing such as Bt. Cotton to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Ltd., (Commercial Release) and Biosafety Permit to WACOT Nig. Ltd, Biosafety Permit for commercial release of Bt Cotton.

    “Nigeria is benefiting from safe modern biotechnology under a legal framework for economic growth, improved agriculture, job and wealth creation, industrial growth and sustainable environment.

    “These are possible because operators now have confidence in the sector, risks to human health from modern biotechnology practice and the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are at their barest minimum,” he said.

    He noted that dumping of unauthorised GMOs in Nigeria is now at its barest minimum, as avenues are being provided to confirm safety and harness the potential of modern biotechnology.

    “Negative socio-economic consequences of GMOs are being guarded against, and confidence built in the practice of modern biotechnology, use and handling of GMOs and GM products.

    “Nigeria’s commitment to the principles of International Agreements and Treaties to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) is reaffirmed.

    “We now have proper regulation for imported GM products, so that Nigeria will not be a dumping ground for GMOs,” he added.

     

  • ‘Fishes smuggling threat to food security’

    A fisheries expert, Prof Udeme Enin, has warned that smuggling foreign fishes, which may threaten native species,pose danger to food safety.

    Enin of the Institute of Oceanography of the University of Calabar, said too many invasive alien species have been introduced in the name of food production and improving livelihoods, but these has often led to ecological imbalance.

    He  noted that introducing foreign tilapia without clean bill of health from the fisheries department could lead to introduction of invasive alien species with potential adverse impact to the natural ecosystem.

    He warned against unreported breeding or introduction of fishes, adding that the authorities need to be strict in issuing import permits.

    According to him, the proliferation of invasive alien species, may affect the country’s food-production capacity, as well, citing its potential impact in water bodies.

    Enin urged the government to intensify the campaign against smuggling of fish and prevent the entry of potentially invasive alien species that may adversely affect the environment.

    He  implored law enforcers manning airports and seaports to  improve surveillance nationwide.

    He said monitoring in airports and seaports should be tightened to prevent smugglers from bringing in smuggled food products.

    He appealed for caution in the importation and introduction of non-native species for commercial propagation as they pose a threat to the country’s rich biodiversity.

  • Still a long walk to food security

    One of the greatest challenges facing the world is how to guarantee adequate food for all. The challenge is worsened by natural incidences such as flooding, drought, hurricanes, increasing desertification and widespread strife across the world, leading to displacement of people and further destruction of farmlands and seafood. Worst hit by this challenge are people in the developing and third world.

    To close the gap in the provision of adequate food for Nigerians, analysts, agriculture experts and operators are of the view that the Federal Government and all stakeholders need to promote agriculture and allied industries by investing significantly in the sector, creating the environment and incentives that will attract investors and make access to finance easier for those in the agriculture sector.

     

    Stakeholders speak

    According to New Generation Consulting Managing Partner, Dr Njideka Kelley, the World Bank report on poverty and hunger defines food security as “access by all people at all times to enough food for an active and healthy life”. But Nigeria and Africa are nowhere near achieving food security and several factors are responsible for the food insecurity in Nigeria.

    Kelley, who is also the 2018 AfroAgric Expo Conference Convener, said governments’ unclear economic policy must first shift focus from an oil-based economy to an agricultural based one. In so doing policies that favour agriculture can come into play, ensuring that farmers are empowered to assure food security in their regions.

    She said farmers’ inaccessibility to funding is a major setback. If agriculture can be seen as a major economic driver, then farmers must be encouraged through government’s subsidies for grains, fertilisers, farm equipment, among others, adding that farmers’ inadequate education on food preservation, and the fact many rural farmers have no education and are completely helpless when it comes to food preservation, proper application of fertiliser is another challenge.

    Kelley said low mechanised system of farming is causing poor yield, because the rural farmers have not been empowered to be commercial farmers, they continue to practice subsistence farming, which can only produce poor yields. According to her, inaccessible roads from farm to market for farmers, who have sufficient yields at harvest are unable to transport the harvest to the market due to terrible roads sometimes cut in half by erosion.

    “Lack of organised farmers’ association to regulate prices and ensure profit is also an issue. Farmers are not organised properly into cooperatives and the ones already in cooperatives do not understand the power of teams so that they can regulate their prices and assure profits for farmers,” she added.

    Kelley said to overcome these challenges, the agricultural sector’s strategic objectives and priority activities should include increased production and productivity of staple food crops through a value chain approach for food security; promote commercial agriculture; promote and increase value-adding activities for agricultural products; increase the production and export of cash crops, and improve access to finance for farmers.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) noted that funding in the Nigerian agricultural sector is about two per cent of total lending by banks unlike six per cent in Kenya. The problem of financial inclusion is not peculiar to the agriculture sector, but to the Nigerian economy at large. For example, the CBN noted that about 83.9 per cent of money in circulation is being circulated outside the formal banking sector. This implies that other sectors seek financial services outside the banking system.

    “Also, Nwankwo and Nwankwo reported the result of a study carried out by Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) on access to financial service in Nigeria; 34.9 million (39.7 per cent) adults were financially excluded,” she said.

    To Mr Amos Eneyema, an agriculture expert, to conquer hunger and ensure food security, emphasis must continue to be placed on agriculture as a viable alternative to dependence on oil revenue as millions of citizens still go to bed hungry. Government must work assiduously with youths and banks to secure soft interest-free loans for subsistent or micro-farming nationwide and urgently. Policy makers must remove food production barriers while encouraging public investors’ participation. Improved seeds, chemicals, local farming tools, delivery and storage facilities, processing and packaging tools, among others, should be free and accessible.

    To World Bank Consultant, Prof. Abel Ogunwale, the government and private sector need to boost post-harvest loss technology to improve food security and reduce vulnerability of resource-poor farmers.

    Postharvest losses refer to grain, roots, fruits and vegetables that are lost or lose quality during processing, transportation or storage.

    According to the World Bank, improving post-harvest management (PHM) could avoid losses equivalent to the food needs of 48 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Ogunwale said one of the biggest problems affecting the country’s agriculture and the agricultural market is post-harvest losses.

    He explained that the benefit of bumper harvests has been negated by insufficient storage capacity, resulting post-harvest losses, adding that farmers’ lack of awareness and access to appropriate technologies, have led to tremendous losses. According to him, there have been several post-harvest losses from the producer to the consumer, linked to lack of proper harvest practices, transportation and cold storage facilities.

    He stressed that technologies exist to curb food losses after harvests, and the first thing farmers need to do is to adopt them.

    He urged the government to engage the private sector to reduce post-harvest losses. This, he added, will be effective since the private sector may adequately fill the knowledge gap when it comes to understanding the use and importance of these technologies among farmers.

     

    Case for bio-fortified food processing

    To HarvestPlus Nigeria Country Manager, Dr Paul Ilona, there is need for the country to widely adopt bio-fortified food processing. According to him, the Nigeria bio-fortified food processing sector has potential to attract millions of investment and generate thousands of jobs in the agriculture sector. Bio-fortification, according to him, is defined as the enrichment of the natural content of selected micronutrients in crops.

    Ilona noted that bio-fortification has continued to generate employment around farming, including processing, packaging, distribution, marketing services, adding that it has created jobs for young people, especially those in rural areas. According to him, his organisation is initiating strategic partnerships that are needed to bring about the creation of value chains dominated by large processors and retailers. He explained that his organisation is promoting bio-fortified crops with special emphasis on iron, Vitamin A and Zinc.

    HarvestPlus, he said, has provided bio-fortified maize rich in vitamins apart from new technologies that can make or break a farmer’s livelihood. He said the organisation has worked with other stakeholders in Nigeria to develop supply chains for bio-fortified crops. Farmers are being linked to new technologies that could increase their livelihoods and improve the health of their families through better crops and better nutrition. He said it was a critical time to encourage new approaches to production that meets a country’s nutritional needs.

    To him, bio-fortification is transforming food sector and has potentially significant impact on the off-farm segment and the knock-on effect on farming households.

    Kunle Olawoyin, a farmer, said an insignificant percentage of the budget was allocated this year to the agriculture sector, which employs over 70 per cent of the population. To ensure food security, states and the Federal Government should increase investment in agriculture in line with the Malabo commitment of 10 per cent.

    A reasonable investment in small-scale agriculture, he said, is the best way to reduce rural poverty and hunger. Everyone should see farming as the way to go and not as occupation for the illiterate. According to him, average age of full-time farmers in Nigeria, who are engaged in subsistence farming, is put at 65 years and above. For any nation to overcome hunger or food shortage, the younger folks should take farming as a lucrative profession, and this must be well funded by the government to attract huge patronage. “Overcoming hunger in Nigeria is part of the government responsibility with a complementary support from the people. Beyond slogans, action must be put in place to achieve this through a collaborative government/private initiative.

    “Government cannot ask farmers to go back to the farms and then loose hungry cows after the crops. If this measure is put in place, by 2021 Nigeria would have achieved food security. And whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

    “I believe this is the only government that made agriculture a priority rather than depending on oil to move the nation forward. All hands must be on deck to ensure that food security is addressed. We should patronise made-in-Nigeria food to grow our economy and create employment for Nigerians. Let 2019 budget give major allocation to agriculture to boost food production. Any money given to the farmers should be monitored to avoid diversion.

    “Although emphasis on agriculture has always been there, implementation is our problem, due to corruption. To lure the youths to the farm and get the desired results, irrigation farming, mechanisation, loans, seedlings’ varieties and pesticides, among others, must be made available to farmers by January or February, against early rains so as to avoid associated bottlenecks,” he said.

    According to Mr. Chika Gordon, a mechanised farmer in Abia State, the states and local governments should follow Federal Government policies of agricultural revolution boost food production in Nigeria instead of depending on foreign food. “We have fertile land to grow agriculture but our so-called leaders are so lazy because of oil. I wish these oil wells will dry, let me know whether everybody will not engage in agriculture to survive. Government should ban some agricultural imports in order to allow local production to grow, improve our economy and create employment and even infrastructure development.

    “Able-bodied youths both skilled and unskilled in both rural and urban areas idling away must be engaged in gainful farming urgently. Relevant financial institutions must issue monitored interest-free soft loans to identified youths for nationwide subsistence farming.

    “All our natural fruits, games and seeds, among others wasting away in the bush must be rescued, processed and preserved with indigenous technology for future use. Regionalised Marketing Boards must come into function now. Let each state specialise in mass production of agricultural products where it has comparative advantage, backed by interest-free loans and well-equipped millennium settlements to lure the idle youths back to the farms.

    “Good storage facilities, basic infrastructure and buy-back policies provided by governments at all levels will also go a long way,” he added.

     

    Farm inputs, technology and produce preservation

    At an agriculture exposition tagged: “Afro AgriExpo”, held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, farmers, agriculture institutes and the academia, called on the government to show sincerity towards supporting rural farmers and developing the nation’s economy via agriculture. They said agriculture as an economy stimulator and trending technologies should be applied for agricultural development and sustenance.

    A representative of Jigna Farms Limited in Abuja, Ahmed Yero, said the prices of farm inputs have soared beyond expectation, noting that if government wants the sector to develop, farm inputs have to be affordable and accessible. To him, fertiliser should be accessible and affordable by all farmers, including those in the rural areas, adding that 50kg bag at N7,000, many farmers cannot afford it.

    A fish farmer, Dr. Jones Ozuzu, lamented how he lost 2000 fingerlings during a heavy down pour this year and could not get support from the government. He alleged that a lot of the loans being promoted, especially the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) meant for rural farmers, have been allegedly hijacked by political farmers. He pleaded for sincere government’s effort in repositioning the sector.

    However, Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Commission (NAIC) Managing Director,  Mrs. Folashade Joseph, urged the farmers to insure their crops against eventuality. Joseph said NAIC spends more funds on awareness creation and training than payment of claims. Joseph, who was represented by her Deputy, Mr. Bashir Martins, said if Dr. Ozuzu had insured his farm, he could have approached the nearest NAIC office for compensation.

    Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO) Director-General, Prof Gloria Elemo, emphasised the need for rural farmers to be supported to increase their income and boost rural economy. She advised players in the agriculture sector to go beyond production of agricultural produce and exports and do value-addition. She identified the need to introduce technology into agricultural processing as well as local fabrication of needed equipment.

    Elemo, who was represented by FIIRO Director of Planning, Technology Transfer and Information Management, Dr. Oyedoyin Bolanle, explained that lots of innovations have been made to reduce post-harvest losses in the area of cereals, fish, grains, fruits, among others, to promote value addition. However, paucity of funds, she said, has denied the Institute the capacity to share the innovations among stakeholders, especially agropreneurs and rural farmers.

    “Today, agriculture in Nigeria is characterised by low productivity, land access constraints, limited adaptation of research findings and local technologies, poor and low irrigation development, high cost of farm inputs, poor access distribution, poor storage facility, poor processing technology development and general post-harvest losses,” she said.

    She disclosed that the Institute plans to partner the private sector to develop technologies that could convert raw agriculture produce to finished goods and promote value-addition. According to her, over 250 technologies have been developed, but only 50 of them are ready for commercialisation. “People are being trained on weekly basis on some of these technologies,” Elemo added.

    One of the partners, AfroAgriExpo, Mr. Sanni Uzo, said the Federal Government needs to really develop the agriculture sector to take its pride of place as the major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He advised the Federal Government to encourage subsistence farmers and see how it could integrate them into mechanised farmers. He restated commitment of the group to eradicate hunger and food scarcity by sharing ideas on modern farming practices. “Our intention was to bring these experts to be able to introduce their technological know-how. We even have bankers here who could have introduced easier ways to get finance. With their coming in, they will help us to advance cattle rearing, create ranches where we can breed cattle, do exports other than producing for individual needs and local consumption,” he said.

    He noted that though the impact for the expo has not been created, however, he pledged to renew drive to ensure the group achieves set objectives.

     

    Exporting more farm products

    At the Nigeria Agricultural Exporter Group (NAEG) Summit in Lagos, the founder, Captain John Okakpu, said Nigeria is among the world biggest producers of agro crops, but has not exploited much of its agro export potential.

    Okakpu noted that for Nigeria to export more farm and food products it must invest heavily in high-value crops and the government should learn from institutional coordination models of other countries, whose agro export sub-sector is performing at its best, and re-orientate farmers to be better agripreneurs. He said agro exports play a significant role in driving the economy and providing employment as well as developing agriculture-based industries. These make access to international markets crucial to sustaining economic growth.

    Okakpu said he has worked extensively on raising awareness on food safety and sustainability since his company, ABX World Nigeria Limited, earned Global Good Agricultural Practice (Global GAP) Farm Assurers Certification. According to him, Global GAP has licensed his organisation to offer training and certification to farmers. He said he has helped Anambra State achieve Global GAP Certification to enable it export agro produce, adding that Nigeria has the potential for a strong agro export industry, but has not been giving the sector adequate attention, which is surprising, given growing world market demands.

    He urged producers to access premium high value markets such as Europe and the United States, but noted that to do so, they must fulfill high standards on food safety and sustainability, worker health and safety. To  reposition the agro export sector, he  stressed the imperative of  addressing sanitary priorities, including improving laboratory infrastructure, establishing food safety standards, harmonising risk assessment tools, improving traceability of products and increasing coordination with international standard setting bodies.

    National Expert on Value Chain at United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Dr. John Isemede, urged Nigeria to pursue trade and investment integration at multiple levels, including the Continental Free Trade Area. He stressed that concerted action was needed to restore export revenues and the sector’s reputation. He noted that many agencies/units, which have no business with inspections, carry out same on agro produce, adding that some exporters have lost money on produce said to have been tested.  Isemede, a former Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said export is of tremendous importance to agricultural sector.

  • PDP faults Buhari on food security claims

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO), has faulted claims by President Muhammadu Buhari that Nigeria  has achieved food security and enhanced  security under his administration.

    President Buhari spoke yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital at the flag-off of his 2019 presidential re-election campaign.

    Spokesman for  PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the President’s claim on food security was startling as “ there is hunger and starvation everywhere.”

    He said:”This statement not only confirms the Buhari Presidency’s proclivity for false claim but also shows that Mr. President is completely insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

    “Nigerians were alarmed when Mr. President claimed that the nation was secure under his rule, when there are killings and daily bloodletting in various parts of our country; when insurgents who had been pushed to the fringes of the North East by the PDP administration, leading to  the conduct of elections in all the local governments in the country, have under the Buhari administration spread to other states of the north.

    “While Mr. President was making his claims, insurgents had taken Baga; there are killings going on in Zamfara and our soldiers and policemen are being killed by terrorists, due to the neglect of his administration.

    “President Buhari further embarrassed his office on his claims of commitment towards the war against corruption when he was surrounded at the podium, by individuals who are facing corruption allegations, including the Director General of his Campaign, Rotimi Amaechi, the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, his South South Zonal Director, Godswill Akpabio and a host of others.

    “The PPCO therefore counsels President Buhari to use his failed campaign flag-off to know that no amount of crowd renting, vote-buying and intimidation of opposition can change the resolve of Nigerians to vote him out of office, come February 2019”

  • Leveraging investment in agribusiness for food security

    Nigeria and other African countries are wasting foreign exchange (forex ) on importing foods that can be produced locally and exported. But, this may soon be redressed by those investing in agribusiness, writes Assistant Editor OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE.

    Efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, promote industrialisation and create jobs are on course.

    Those behind the push to halt or significantly cut down on Nigeria’s humongous foreign exchange for the importation of foods that should be produced locally and even exported are private sector investors whose massive investments in agribusiness hold promises.

    Leading this charge BUA Group and Dangote Group. For instance, BUA Sugar has since anouncd an investment of $300 million in Lafiagi Sugar Company (LASUCO), in Kwara State. This will help grow the country’s sugar output by two million tonnes (mmt) per annum.

    According to the Managing Director, BUA Sugar, Mr. Ibrahim Yaro,  BUA remained committed to becoming a mega local sugar producer and first sugar exporter in the country. According to him, the company remains committed to partnering with the government in ensuring the success of the backward integration policy of the sugar industry as well as in its drive to resuscitate and develop other areas of the Nigerian agric sector.

    He explained that BUA’s interest in the local production of raw sugar brought about the acquisition of LASUCO, which he said has over 20, 000 hectares of arable land, suitable for sugar cane plantation and is strategically located to serve the northern and southern markets of the country.

    He stated that the 500 hectares earmarked for its nursery development in 2016 had been developed; adding that similarly, what is currently ongoing was the land clearing and development preparation for additional 5,000 hectares which would take the company through 2018. “

    Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has also stepped up his investment in agriculture.

    In doing so, he said he believes that the Federal Government leveraging the agric sector to diversify the economy remained the solution to achieving food self-sufficiency and creating a healthy economy.

    Dangote spoke at a meeting with some Asian businessmen in his Lagos office.

    He said without the new approach at redirecting the economy from its import dependence to an export-oriented one, which the administration is leading, no meaningful change  can happen. He noted that it was because of his belief in the government’s approach at re-energising the economy to make it export oriented that made him step up his investment in agriculture for food sufficiency.

    “We have invested massively in rice, sugar, dairy products, and tomatoes. Our rice-out grower scheme will produce rice by next year. This will reduce our rice import to nearly zero because Nigeria imports more than half of the rice it consumes,” he told the Asians.

    Specifically, Dangote said his company has expanded its sugar operations in Tonga in Nasarawa State, in addition to Numan sugar projects, where sugarcane is cultivated.

    “Some months ago, we laid the foundation for the construction of an ultra-modern rice processing integrated plant that will process 16 metric tons of paddy rice in one hour. By the time you multiply this by the number of hours and days it operates, you will understand that this is huge,” he added.

    Dangote said the interesting thing about investment in agric is that apart from food production sufficiency, the job potential is unquantifiable. He said he was investing in agribusiness and promoting industrialisation through backward integration to ensure that Nigeria became self-reliant in food production in good time to save the much needed foreign exchange.

    To underscore the company’s emphasis on backward integration, Dangote said: “We are producing the raw materials needed in our factories. In the sugar sector, we developed a sugar backward integration project plan targeted at the production of 1.5 metric tonnes (mt) per annum from various sites across Nigeria, in the next 10 years.”

    He explained that his organisation has a scheme involving 20,000 out-growers who will grow about 180,000 tons of paddy rice for processing.  He also said rice processing mills are being built in Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Niger states in the first phase.

    Dangote added that in the second phase, other mills will be built in Nasarawa, Kogi, and other states, noting that with the six mills, the company will achieve a capacity of 700, 000 metric tons per year of par boiled rice. The target, according to him, was to be the largest rice producer in Africa, which is a bold step in making Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production.

    The Nation learnt that the Dangote Group stepped up its investments in agriculture and food production following the Federal Government’s policy of economic diversification that placed emphasis on agric rather than oil and general importation. He hailed the government’s economic recovery and growth plan, saying his investments in refinery, petrochemical and fertiliser production were in that direction.

    According to Dangote, the decision of the Federal Government at diversifying the economy from oil only to agriculture-centred one remained the viable solution to the myriads of economic conundrum that Nigeria is facing

    He, however, said the private sector has important roles to play, which was why his Group has taken up the challenge to lead the way as a leading private sector operator. He said with the government providing the right environment through good policy formulation and implementation, it will be a matter of time before Nigeria would become one of the world’s economic powers.

    Experts say that the African population is expected to double by 2050, meaning that food demand on the continent is expected to at least double. Beyond the need to feed the expected population bulge, increase in food production and productivity will not only create jobs in agriculture, but also in upstream, downstream and support activities.

    The consensus is that food self-sufficiency is achievable, and that Nigerian and other African countries can be net exporters of food products instead of their current status as importers. This optimism is largely hinged on the availability of arable land for agribusiness, population and market.

     

    The challenges

    As promising as the agric sector is, there are still hurdles to cross. For instance, there is too little data on crop types, production areas and harvest prospects. This, according to experts, complicates planning while often leaving smallholder farmers without the necessary advice and support to improve their production and income potential.

    It also complicates the implementation by small farmers of the quality and food safety standards necessary for food businesses.

    Also, banks have strict risk management requirements that complicate the provision of financing to small family farmers. Without precise knowledge of their farms, harvests and incomes, the risk of granting loans is simply too high and the interest rates on loans granted by banks or microfinance institutions vary between 20 and 40 per cent, which limits their scope.

    The thinking is that it is necessary to aggregate farmers into formal groups and cooperatives. This will make it easier to work with them, train and support them, for example in traceability and certification processes that are mandatory for food manufacturers.

    Experts, however, say that most of these challenges can be solved by connecting the various actors in the agricultural value chain through digital marketplaces that manage the supply from smallholder farmers, manage the stocks and manage the commercialisation of agricultural products and their transport.

    Through these digital marketplaces, banks and insurance companies will have access to the data necessary to reduce their risks and thus be able to serve the untapped market of smallholder farmers.

    In all of these, the role of the private sector is said to crucial in the transformation of Nigeria and Africa’s agriculture. Agri-food firms have massive purchasing power, while smallholder farmers are looking for ways to improve productivity and quality as well as increase their production and income.

    The belief is that when farmers are integrated into global value chains, both sides benefit: farmers improve their incomes by having easier access to markets and private companies have access to the raw materials needed to produce their goods.

  • Global report urges Nigeria, others to improve food security

    A global report, Legatum Prosperity Index, has urged Nigeria and other sub-Saharan countries to boost agricultural productivity in view of the rising population.

    The Legatum Prosperity Index is an annual ranking of 149 countries that covers 96 per cent of the world’s population and 99 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    In a release made available to The Nation, the report emphasised the need for investments to accelerate growth and employment in agriculture sector while enhancing nutrition.

    While the report said global prosperity is at its highest level in the 12-year history of the Index, with more people living prosperous lives than ever before, it, however, noted that the gap between countries with the highest and lowest prosperity scores is widening. “The gap between the top and the bottom countries is now 10 per cent wider than in 2013,” it said.

    The report continued: “Safety and security continue to decline, with the most significant deteriorations found in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and sub-Saharan Africa, driven by war, terrorism, oppressive regimes, and the declining availability of food and shelter.

    “Despite the welcome fall in malnutrition and absolute poverty globally, more people report that they lack the basic needs of food and shelter to live.  Globally, the number of people reporting their struggle to buy food at some point over the last year has risen from a quarter in 2008 to a third this year.  War, terrorism and oppression are driving insecurity around the world: deaths from conflict increased 58 per cent over 10 years; and deaths from terrorism quadrupled in 10 years.”

    Commenting on the publication, CEO of the Legatum Institute, Philippa Stroud, said: “The Legatum Institute exists to provide the leadership and vision to address the major challenges of our generation-and seize the opportunities; to shape the values, ideas and policies which will transform society and see all people prosper, creating pathways from poverty to prosperity.

    “The Legatum Prosperity Index is a tool for leaders around the world to help set their agenda for growth and development. Prosperity entails much more than wealth, it is about creating the environment where a person can reach their full potential. We are increasingly ambitious about engaging directly with more of the leaders, policy makers, businesses and advisers of the countries we research to help identify the pathways to prosperity.”

    Director of Policy of the Institute, Stephen Brien, said: “A nation is prosperous when it has an open economy, an inclusive society with strong institutions and empowered people who are healthy, educated and safe. Safety and security are fundamental to prosperity and the cornerstone on which to build all the pillars of prosperity.

     

  • Buhari calls for youths participation in food security

    President  Muhammadu Buhari on Friday advised youths to participate in promoting food security for the increasing population of the country.

    He said there must be concerted effort  to orientate people towards cultivating a new habit of growing what to eat and shun the penchants for eating foods that are not grown in the country.

    To preserve food, he called for an urgent need to replace the aging farmers in the country.

    Delivering his address at the 26th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta  ( FUNAAB),  he   charged Universities of Agriculture to ensure their curricula are designed to arouse students interest in farming that would make them self reliant.

    “there is an urgent need to replace the aging population of farmers in this country if we are to promote food security for the rapidly increasing population of Nigerians. Our Universities of Agriculture must ensure that it’s curricula are such that it will make farming attractive to its students so much that graduates of these universities should naturally embrace agriculture rather than searching for white collar job after graduation.

    “the current administration under my leadership  will do all in its power to give the fullest support to every planned effort towards creating more jobs.  We realised that this is only possible  through the re-orientation of Nigerian youths towards developing  an entrepreneurial mindset, as it is vital to the attainment of government objectives of improved food security,  employment, poverty reduction and wealth creation” he said.

    Buhari who was represented by the Minister of state for Education,  Prof Anthony Anwuka, emphasised the need to  add value to crops,  tackle post- harvest losses and improve local contents  by encouraging the industrial uses of local crops.

    He warned that while the government is committed to job creation for the teeming youths,  students should be creative and determined to contribute their quota by engaging  in productive activities.

    In view of the decline in the Internal Generated Revenue and the over dependence on oil revenues which pose a threat to the economic stability,  he explained that the Universities of Agriculture will remain relevant to make Agriculture the main stay and seek other ways to diversify the economy.

    The  President noted that it’s  Agricultural’s  Anchor Borrowers Programme launched in 2015 has recorded huge success with its initial release of 43.92billion and 13 participating institutions and 200,000 small holders farmers from 29 states benefiting and the 233,000 hectares of farmland farming eight commidities such as Rice,  Wheat,Maise Cotton,  Soybeans,  poultry,  Cassava and Groundnut.  Also the fish farming programmes.

    He commended the school for it’s primal role in the promotion of cassava as a value crop in Africa and also it’s Community Based Farming  Scheme(COBFAS) which engages students in farming among the rural communities  in the state.

    He also called on universities  to be at the fore front in the fight of corruption through inculcating the culture of discipline, hard work,  honesty and inspirational leadership.

    “one of the most difficult things about human affairs is embracing change.  Nevertheless,  changing our society  from the path of corruption in high and low places is a daunting task that we all must be committed to.  It is not magic wand or arsenal that a single leader alone can use. Rather we all have to believe  in it and work together for it by inculcating the virtues of hardworking,  honour,  integrity,  discipline and transparency” he added.

  • African Swine Fever threat to food security, says expert

    An animal production specialist, Prof Abiodun Adeloye, has called for more effective control and increased surveillance in the piggery industry to curtail the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF).

    ASF is a highly contagious haemorrhagic disease of pigs, warthogs, European wild boar and American wild pigs. All age groups are susceptible.

    The disease, which spreads across international borders, has crippled the livelihood of pig producers as production systems rely on agro-industrial by-products to create their quality animal products.

    Adeloye said the rapid spread of the disease throughout Africa was also a threat to operators of piggery in Nigeria.

    He said the disease had serious financial implications, particularly for small pig farmers where outbreaks occurred.

    Adeloye, a former dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, said there was a need for the continuous improvement of best practices across all levels of the dairy supply chain.

    He urged for a national effort to assist in developing disease-control strategies for pig farmers, including stricter on-farm biosecurity.

    With high virulence forms of the virus, ASF is characterised by high fever, loss of appetite, hemorrhages in the skin and internal organs, and death in 2-10 days on average. Mortality rates may be as high as 100per cent. The organism which causes ASF is a DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family.

    ASF is a disease listed in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code and must be reported to the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

  • Food security: Fed Govt partners Morocco-based firm on fertiliser

    The Federal Government is encouraging the Office Cherifien des Phosphates (OCP) to establish fertiliser production plants in some parts of the country to boost agriculture. DANIEL ESSIET writes on the partnership that will boost food production.

    MORE international supports are pouring in for the Federal Government’s diversification policy. Fertilizer production plants are to be established in some parts of the country by the Office Cherifien des Phosphates (OCP), a major integrated phosphate producer.

    The government is banking on the mining and agriculture sectors to diversify the economy for oil.

    The plants are to boost agricultural development and fertiliser utilisation by indigenous farmers, the firm, based in Casablanca, Morocco, said while reiterating its commitment to enhance partnership with Nigeria and other African countries to ensure food security.

    OCP’s Managing Director Mustapha El Ouafi, told reporters that local farmers will benefit from fertiliser production projects in terms of technical expertise and capacity building.

    According to him, the OCP has taken immediate action to rehabilitate the fertiliser industry in Africa and working with the government to rehabilitate infrastructure, provide internal and external training programmes for players in the industry.

    He confirmed that his company has an agreement with   the Federal Government to develop a major fertiliser production and distribution hub, adding that the products would be sold in the Nigerian market.

    El Ouafi said: “We are happy to be part of Nigeria’s agricultural development and fertiliser utilisation initiatives. Our goal and aspiration are to make the desired results realisable.

    “We want to be the laboratory of fertiliser of the future which is crucial to the development of agriculture in Africa and the world at large and we’ll continue to work hand-in-hand with the Nigerian government and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector as it is a known fact that Nigeria is one of the major hubs of agriculture in Africa and as a matter of fact, the world as a whole.”

    The OCP chief said it was imperative to enhance the use of fertiliser to meet the food demands of the fast-growing world population in the face of diminishing arable land per capita.

    Projected to be the world’s first phosphates exporter by 2020, the OCP, which has gained more market share,   plans to boost its fertiliser production in Nigeria.

    The new partnership will be through the construction of a new unit with a yearly production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes of fertiliser.

    El Ouafi, informed that the OCP will collaborate with agricultural research institutes to carry out research on soils in order to determine the right type of fertiliser, saying “only this can only guarantee quality and improved yields for farmers.”

    Given the state of agriculture development in Nigeria, El Ouafi spoke of the need for an exchange of knowledge and technology transfer.

    He explained that the company, which started as a government mining company, exploring the country’s rich phosphate deposit, has evolved to become a vertically-integrated agriculture company, moving up the value chain into manufacturing and distribution of fertiliser.

    The managing director attributed OCP’s global reputation to an expanding global population and an increasing demand for phosphate and other products.

    He said that Morocco was doing well in agriculture and has developed great expertise in fertiliser and solar technologies.

     

    OCP as a global player

     

    The company is a leading player in the industry with the promotion of highly efficient and environmentally-friendly fertiliser. Its products not only reduce the pollution of soil nutrients and improve their efficiency, but help to diminish pesticide use – the conditions for sustainable farming.

    The OCP Group has a three-phased production link that relies solely on the use of advanced technology. The first is the raw material – phosphate, which is extracted from the mine located in Khouribga, a town in Southwest of Morocco.

    The raw material is then transported through pipelines to the industrial facilities also located in Khouribga for thorough washing.

    After the completing the process, the washed phosphate product is transported through a world-class underground 200-kilometer pipeline from the Khouribga facility to the Jorf Lasfar processing plant where it will be processed into fertiliser and series of phosphate-based products and derivatives for local use and for international exports.

     

    The Nigerian partnership

     

    The various agreements between the Federal Government and Morocco are yielding results for both countries.

    Morocco and Nigeria signed three cooperation agreements. One of such deals was signed during President Muhammad Buhari’s visit Morocco for a strategic Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline.

    The 5,600-kilometre pipeline will give Africa a new economic, political and strategic dimension.

    Another was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the OCP Group and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) for the development of an industrial platform for the production of ammonia and related products.

    The other was an agreement in the field of agricultural vocational training and technical supervision between the agriculture ministries of the both countries for joint development of agriculture and fisheries in Western Africa.

    It was learnt that the OCP Group has signed MoU with the Dangote Group for the construction of a fertiliser production platform which will be powered by gas from Nigeria and phosphate provided by OCP.

    During his visit to King Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Benguerir, Morocco, Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar, secured a consent for the building of a new fertiliser plant in his state.

    More than 30,000 farmers are to benefit from the Bauchi State government collaboration with the OCP Africa School Project, involving instant mobile soil analysis to determine the suitable fertiliser to increase yield.

    Bauchi, alongside three other states, entered into the agreement with OCP Africa for the school laboratory project.

     

    Relationship with stakeholders

     

    In 2016, OCP and the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) signed a MoU to strengthen Nigeria’s agriculture industry.

    The MoU was signed at the State House in Abuja when King Mohammed VI visited President Buhari.

    The MoU has detailed contributions to the agricultural sector through the supply of fertiliser which are adapted to local oils and crops, while ensuring farmers’ access to continuous fertiliser supply.

    The collaboration between OCP Group and FEPSAN covers a large array of issues relevant to the agricultural sector, including the implementation of fertilising solutions which can adapt to the soils and crops, market supply of fertiliser and support for local farmers.

     

    Ammonia plant billed

    for Niger Delta

     

    For experts, the location of an ammonia plant in the Niger Delta will play a major role in agricultural growth in the region. Cheaper fertilising solutions are affordable to small holder and resource-poor farmers that make up about 80 per cent of the farming community in the region.

    More than 2.2 million people in Niger Delta rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, but experts warn that stagnant and declining yields of major crops such as rice and wheat can be ultimately linked to declining investments in the sector.

    The Federal Government plans to reduce by half the number of undernourished people in the region by raising agricultural productivity and alleviating poverty while protecting the region’s natural resources base.

    The ammonia plant partnership project between Morocco and Nigeria is based on the integration of both countries’ natural resources – Morocco (phosphate) and Nigeria (gas) – for the production of fertiliser.

    The initiative will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

     

    A plant in Kaduna soon  

     

    As part of efforts towards the development of the agricultural ecosystem in Africa, OCP Africa reiterated its readiness to build a fertiliser blending plant in Kaduna State. The plant is to support government’s effort to boost agriculture.

    Already, the Kaduna State government has provided land with titled documents for the early take-off of the fertiliser blending plant.

    Under the agreement, OCP will provide the technical know-how and the expertise to help the state achieve its food security goals.

     

  • Adams, others for food security conference

    The Aare Onakakafo (War Generalissimo) of Yoruba land, Otunba Gani Adams; retired Bishop of Methodist Church, Arch. Ayo Ladigbolu; seasoned media entrepreneur and co-founder of Yoruba KO’YA Movement Otunba ‘Deji Osibogun; pro-democracy crusader Dr. Amos Akingba, are some of those expected to speak at the food security conference to hold tomorrow.

    The conference, organised by the Yoruba KO’YA movement, will deliberate on Food Security in the Southwest. It is themed: 2Protecting Yoruba Land”.

    The event, to hold at the Atiba Hall of the Alaafin Palace, Oyo, will be chaired by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

    A statement by the National Director of Organisation and Publicity, Maxwell Adeleye, said the conference will examine the effects of Fulani herdsmen/farmers crisis on food security in the Southwest; examine the causes of the crisis in Yoruba land and ascertain the level of awareness of the people on issues relating to food security.

    Adeleye added that the conference is being convened to plan for solutions to food and security challenges confronting Yoruba people and it is hoped that it would encourage more meaningful development efforts on issues relating to the effects of Fulani herdsmen/farmers crisis on food and security in the Southwest.

    Those expected at the conference include self-determination groups, such as, members of Hunters and Vigilance Unions; Market Men and Women Associations; Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC); Farmers and Young Entrepreneurs with vast interest in agriculture in all the six southwest states.