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Tag: Food security

  • How Africa can achieve food security, by don

    How Africa can achieve food security, by don

    How to achieve food security in Africa was the subject of discussion at a symposium organised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) International Centre of Biotechnology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State.

    Prof Umezulike Opara,was the keynote speaker at the event with the theme: Sustainability science in the advent of Agenda 2030.

    Opara, who spoke on From rising to arisen: Harnessing the potential of science to transform Africa and the world in 2063, said African leaders should be concerned about increasing cases food insecurity on the continent despite its huge human and natural resources.

    According to him, there is a prediction that by 2018, the number of hungry people in the world would likely go down except in Africa. He attributed the cause of food  insecurity in Africa to the continent’s inability to use science and technology to its advantage.

    Opara said: “Africa can compete favourably with other continents in the areas of human and natural resources and land mass, but it has continued to suffer the handicap by inadequate application of science and technology to solve its problems.”

    Opara called on African scientists to rise to the challenge of solving the continent’s problems instead of relying on help from outside.  The don said more food could be made available to Africans through the introduction of post-harvest biotechnology, which can minimise waste and improve the chances of developing new products.

    While advising African leaders to invest on researches, Opara urged scholars and researchers to engage in multi-disciplinary research to fast-track food production and economic development.

    Lucy Hoareau, a programme expert at UNESCO headquarters, said the body remained committed to tackling food insecurity and diseases in Africa. She said that the Biotechnology Centre in UNN was meant to develop human capacity required to drive UNESCO’s mandate in Africa.

    She encouraged women to show interest in science to enable them contribute to the effort to tackle poverty, food insecurity and diseases in Africa.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, said the UNESCO Category II Biotechnology Centre was established, following an agreement between UNESCO and the Federal Government in 2012.

    The mandate of the centre, he said, is to carry out research on food security, bio-resources conservation and tropical disease, with the focus on using indigenous resources to tackle the challenges.

    “The centre will be equipped with the state of the arts facilities for cutting edge researches, and it will serve as a hub for biotechnology research, not only in Nigeria but for Africa,” he said.

    He reiterated the commitment of the university to achieving the mandate of the centre, promising that his administration would do all within its powers to ensure that the centre achieve its as envisioned by UNESCO.

  • Buhari: climate change threatening food security in Nigeria

    Buhari: climate change threatening food security in Nigeria

    •Fed Govt plans to cut greenhouse gas emission by 45 per cent

    THE adverse effects of climate change are posing a threat to food security in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday.

    He noted that extreme  flooding and drought were on the increase.

    Buhari, who spoke at the ongoing Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) in Paris, France, said such factors have resulted in the destruction of many economic and social structures.

    Linking the insurgency in the Northeast and climate change in the country, he said they have resulted in the drying up of the Lake Chad, which have deprived many communities of their means of livelihood.

    He told world leaders who gathered at the event that they had a great chance to save the planet by coming up with binding resolutions for sustainable development.

    Buhari advised the international community to scale up their commitment to ensure a successful outcome and contribute to transforming the world through sustainable development.

    He said: “Like many countries, Nigeria continues to witness the adverse effects of climate change in all its ramifications. Presently, we are reeling under the challenges of climate change as the frequency and intensity of extreme events like floods and drought are on the increase.

    “These challenges have resulted in the destruction of many economic and social structures and more worryingly, threatening our national food production and security.

    “The magnitude of insurgency Nigeria is facing cannot be completely explained away without taking cognisance of the threat of climate change. Without a doubt, climate change is threatening not only the sustainable development of our social and economic activities, but also the totality of human existence in our country as in other parts of the world.

    “At the sub-regional level, we are saddled with the challenge of the drying up of the Lake Chad Basin, which is resulting in the total wipe out of livelihoods of many communities surrounding this trans-boundary natural resource.”

    He added: “Regrettably, the world is leaving behind millions of people who depend on the lake for their survival. The Government of Nigeria welcomes the Lake Chad Development and Climate Resilience Plan, and the Lake Chad Basin Commission and international partners for designing this climate-based Plan.

    “In all, the experience of countries sharing the Lake Chad further illustrates the mutual challenge we face today and which must be collectively addressed without further delay.”

    For the potential of Paris Agreement on Climate Change to be meaningful and achieve its objectives and eventually become universal in nature and scope, he said that it must draw extensively on the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

    He said: “Indeed, for the agreement to be durable, it must recognise not only the emission right, but also the survival rights of the citizens of developing countries.

    “The inadequacies of the existing climate change treaties, the Conventions and its Protocol, constitute the driving force propelling parties to reach another climate change agreement as the main outcome of this Conference of Parties.”

    The President gave Nigeria’s target on cutting greenhouse emissions arrived at after extensive consultations with stakeholders by up to 45 per cent  by the year 2030.

    He said that the Paris Agreement must be legally binding, all-encompassing and sustainable for it to be universally applicable, result-oriented and in all, effective.

    The conference is being attended by about 150 world leaders.

    He said: “On our part in Nigeria, we undertook an extensive and participatory process of multi-level consultations with a cross section of stakeholders within the different tiers of government towards determining our national contributions to global mitigation reduction.

    “Based on national considerations, Nigeria intends to attain the mitigation reduction objective of 20 per cent unconditional and 45 per cent conditional below the Business as Usual level of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2030.

    “It is our expectation that this nationally-determined ambitious target given our national circumstances and developmental requirements will eventually pass the green test.”

     

  • Fulani herdsmen and food security

    The recurring clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in some parts of Nigeria remain one of the major threats to food security in the country. The recent abduction of former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, purportedly by Fulani herdsmen with whom he was reported to have been having squabbles over farm issue, has once again brought to the fore, concerns over constant hostility between Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country. Sadly, this perennial feud could have serious implication for food security n the country. Just recently, an alarm was raised on how the encroachment of farmlands by herds of cattle will, in no small measure, affect the output of crops coming from the north; the region relied mainly upon for the provision of foodstuffs and fruits in the country.

    In Jigawa State alone, more than 70 cases of conflicts have been recorded since the beginning of the 2015 farming season. These cases bordered on encroachment into farms by cattle and farmers misuse of cattle routes. The situation is not different in Nasarawa and Benue states, the food baskets of the nation as Fulani herdsmen persistently engage farmers in feuds that often result in serious causalities on both sides. While farmers accuse the herdsmen of farmland encroachment, the latter blame the farmers and members of their communities for rustling of their cattle.

    In time past, herdsmen and their farmers used to have a reasonably symbiotic relationship. While the cattle served as means of transportation for daily goods as well as manure to fertilize the fields for farmers, the herdsmen in turn obtained grains and other farm products from the farmers. But later, as the expansion of farming activities, which invariably led to a huge demand for farmlands drastically reduced supply of grazing land, flocks of cattle frequently encroach upon already cultivated fields to the chagrin of farmers. This, indeed, is a major source of unending friction between the two. Unfortunately, the friction, if not properly checked could have adverse effects on food security in the country.

    However, pastoralists and agriculturalists conflicts are not the only challenges affecting crop outputs and the provision of food security in the country, other factors include environmental degradation in form of soil erosion and overgrazing;  climate change (which has caused shifting weather patterns is increasingly viewed as a current and future cause of hunger and poverty because it leads to increasing drought), flooding, and changing climatic patterns requiring a shift in crops and farming practices that may not be easily accomplished.

    The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about 805 million people of the 7.3 billion people in the world, representing ratio one in nine, suffered from chronic undernourishment in 2012-2014.  Among all the hungry people, 791 million live in developing countries, representing 13.5 percent, or one in eight, of the population of developing counties.

    Another key issue is the future of industrialization and higher standards of living. The springing up more industries to cater for the growing population of white-collar job seekers affects provision of food for the people. The lands hitherto used for agriculture are being sold to give way for these industries. And often, these lands contain trees- usually felled- needed to boost the oxygenation of the environment as well as produce both food and cash crops.

    Another critical issue is the attitude of young people to agriculture. Commonly tagged dirty and not a money spinning occupation, most young people abhor farming. This is because it does not bring immediate financial returns compare to other jobs such as banking and working in oil servicing firms. There is mass migration of young school leavers from the rural communities to the cities, thereby leaving behind old and tired hands to engage in farming.  Another major obstacle to sustaining food security in the country is the communication gap between the farmers and policy implementers. In most cases, the policy implementers do not really carry the farmers along in the process of policy implementation. This, perhaps, is responsible for the inability of subsidized fertilizers and loans from the government and its agencies to get to the real farmers who are in dire need of it.

    But as daunting as these challenges may appear, the country has options to address them. In the case of farmer-herdsmen violence, the Buhari administration should creatively strategise with stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem. One thing that can be done to reduce the tension is for the federal government to establish grazing zones across the country for the Fulani herdsmen. Once this is done, government should ensure that the herdsmen strictly comply with the grazing zone arrangement. This would, no doubt, greatly reduce friction over land resources. Equally, the Federal Government should take steps to dismantle the armed cattle rustling rings reportedly wreaking havoc in the northern part of the country.

    Additionally, governments at all levels should encourage young and unemployed school leavers to embrace farming through the provision of lands, seedlings, mechanized infrastructure and easy access to loan. The Lagos State government is already doing something in this positive direction as it has empowered young rice farmers with inputs ranging from land preparation, seeds and fertilizer provision as well as access to irrigation. Equally, in order to boost productivity, farmers in parts of the country where scarcity of rain is usually experienced should embrace micro- irrigation. This technology enables farmers to enjoy water supply all year round and essentially it efficiently irrigate, grow crops and boost their farming income and outcome.

    It is gratifying to note that grand efforts are already being put in place to boost food security in the country. Recently, the Nigeria Agribusiness Group committed a sum of N360billion to assist small – holder farmers to boost agriculture in 22 states. According to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonny Echono, this investment will create jobs for youths, women, and uplift millions of farmers out of poverty. If loans such as this are judiciously disbursed and used, it will in no small measure ensure food security in Nigeria. It is, however, important that all stakeholders rise up to the occasion by ensuring that more resources are committed into the agriculture sector. If we must boost food security in the country, this is the time to stop paying lip services to the issue of agriculture and walk the talk.

     

    • Bakare is of the Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

     

  • Ambode targets food security for Lagosians

    Ambode targets food security for Lagosians

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said the state was looking towards partnership in agro business in an effort geared towards ensuring food security in the state.

    The Governor who spoke when he received the Irish Ambassador Sean Hoy, at the Lagos House, Alausa, said his administration was looking to expand the agricultural sector and increase the production capacity of its farmers in the nearest future.

    “One area that Lagos is really interested in is in the agro business, I am very interested in the food security of this state. We have a population that is over 20 million and we should be able to plan properly the food security of the state.

    “We cannot claim that we are self sufficient right now, but we have a plan to be able to let us feed ourselves at some point in time. It’s quite unfortunate right now that the state consumes almost like N300billion worth of rice annually and what we have in terms of production is maybe like five percent.

     

    “We are looking for a situation where we would expand the potentials of our farmers and cross into other states and be able to produce staple products for the people of Lagos. So if we have any partnership that can assist us in securing the future of our people in terms of agro business will be highly welcomed,” the Governor said.

     

    Governor Ambode who also met with a team of investors from the United Arab Emirates, led by Professor Pat Utomi, restated the commitment of his administration to evolve policies and initiatives that would transform the city state into a destination for investors across the globe.

     

    He said in less than 100 days of his administration, efforts have been made to create an atmosphere for investors to look towards the direction of the state and for existing businesses to thrive.

     

    “We’ve already created an Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment to directly deal with issues that relate to investors coming into Lagos.

     

    “We are committed to a situation where we would create a new city where Africans and especially Nigerians in diaspora can be proud of and then we also can be proud of,” he said.

     

    He said that the state’s commercial strength with a population predominantly youths, makes it unarguably the home of the future of investment in Nigeria.

     

    He assured the investors of his administration’s support in the areas they intend to partner with the government.

     

    “We are happy to be associated with you. I want to give you our government’s commitment today that we are committed to the project that is being done by Smart City Dubai and other investors. We are also committed to giving government support in areas that would make investments easy”.

     

    “I want to let you know Professor Pat Utomi is somebody that has had endless passion to make this kind of investment happen in Lagos state, he’s been a major promoter of investment in Lagos and one is so excited. I want to commend you for being part of this initiative”, he said.

     

    Governor Ambode also restated his commitment to the rule of law as well as judicial and security sector reforms, saying the efforts are geared towards ensuring that business transactions are done transparently.

     

    “We would give credence to integrity of this government to make sure that whatever is being done will protect Lagos as well as investors. That’s what we are committed to. Wherever it is that we can be of help to accelerate the delivery of the project. We would do it.

     

    “I have no doubt that wherever Professor Utomi is involved, it comes with a huge sense of integrity and that’s why we would ensure that every aspect of making sure that this project is expanded, because I am made to understand is that whatever it is that you have done, you need government commitment also,” the Governor said.

     

    Professor Utomi, in his remarks said the group of investors from the UAE is aspiring to play a role that will significantly change the business climate in the state revealing that they are looking to invest as much as $10billion in the state within a period of time.

     

    “Smart City Dubai which has a track record of transforming a desert village in one generation to the world’s business hub, my hope and my expectation is that this initiative will make that happen for Lagos and be part of the inspiration along with other projects that you are driving, Eko Atlantic and a host of others, to make this a hub for which the economic emancipation of the black man,” he said.

  • ‘Battle for food security cannot be won by wishful thinking’

    ‘Battle for food security cannot be won by wishful thinking’

    Uduak Afangideh is a Biology professor and researcher (specialising on plant breeding and genetics) at the Faulkner University, Alabama, US. She is a member of the Genetics Society of Nigeria, the Agricultural Society of Nigeria and the Alabama Academy of Science. In 2011, Prof Afangideh initiated the first research and creativity day of the university, which has sparked interest in collaborative researches among different departments and with other universities in the states. She speaks with Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME on the differences in education standard between Nigeria and US, why she returned to the US to teach, why Nigerian professors and students should be exposed to research techniques and resources available internationally and how Nigeria’s battle for food security can be won, among other issues. 

    You chaired Faulkner varsity’s first research and creativity day committee. What was the research about and what were your experiences?

    In spite of the fact that Faulkner has existed as a university for over 60 years, until a few years ago, it was primarily a teaching university.  With recent increase in post-graduate degrees in various fields, faculty members began to be involved in research in different disciplines.  In 2011, I presented a proposal to the university’s faculty board on the need for a university-wide research day, in which the faculty and students would showcase the research that they are involved in in their fields of study. The proposal was approved by the Board and I was made the chairman of the planning committee for Faulkner’s first Research and Creativity Day.  The event has been successfully hosted twice by the university; and in addition to creating an awareness of the different research areas at Faulkner University, it has sparked interest in collaborative research among different departments and with other universities. It has become a biennial event in the university and the next one is scheduled for March 2016.

    How do you feel getting your full professorship few years ago?

    Getting full professorship is a mighty feat in itself and considering that the promotion was achieved in a reputable American university, known for its high standard of scholarly activities, made it an even greater accomplishment.  I am aware that, like the scripture says, “promotion is not from the East or the West but from the Lord,” and so I give Him all the glory.

    You had your first and second degrees in the US before coming to work at Unical and got your Ph.D? What were the attractions returning to the US?

    After my Ph.D in Plant Breeding and Genetics, it became more and more obvious that the lack of sophisticated equipment, infrastructure, research materials and other resources would make it almost impossible to carry out meaningful research in Nigeria.  My desire was to grow in my field and to form meaningful connections with international geneticists and I knew this would be difficult to do unless I looked beyond the borders of Nigeria.  When the opportunity came to travel back to the United States, I embraced it with the full support of my Department at UNICAL.

    You were among three that got full professorship at Faulkner, and effectiveness in your discipline, commitment to scholarly pursuit and dedication were factors considered. How would you have felt if you did not get this recognition?

    I don’t think there was any doubt that I would be promoted to the rank of full professorship.  When you give 110% in your duties, working as if you are working unto the Lord, it quickly becomes obvious to your peers and your employers.  I think this was the case with my promotion.

    How regular does the varsity carry out such promotion?  

    The university has an equivalent of an Appointment and Promotion Committee (A&P) that meets annually, at the departmental and faculty levels. Those who meet the requirements for promotion apply and are either recommended for promotion or denied promotion based on evaluation of their academic contributions and achievements.

    How will you describe the education standard in Nigeria and US, using Unical and Faulkner varsity as case study, especially in your discipline?

    There are so many differences in educational standards in the two countries.  For starters, at Faulkner classrooms are well equipped, not just with enough tables and chairs for students but also with loudspeakers (in large classrooms), computers, projectors and other things that make for effective lecture delivery.  Compare this to teaching in University of Calabar where students scramble for chairs and tables and can barely hear the lecturer who is shouting at the top of his or her voice in front of the classroom.  Also, in 2013 Faulkner embraced ICT on its campus fully and every registered student since then is issued an ipad.  This empowers the students to take ownership of their learning and makes it easy for professors to increase student engagement and learning therefore becomes more of an interactive activity.  This is a far cry from what is obtained at UNICAL. Finally, one cannot teach science without well–equipped laboratories and facilities.

    At Faulkner, every science class has weekly laboratories whereas UNICAL students in my department are lucky to be engaged in three to five labs per semester.  I think this and other factors are reasons why there is such a disparity in the standard of education in both countries.  Having said that though, it is amazing that the Nigerian student strives to excel academically, in spite of the less-than ideal conditions in which they are taught.  The stamina and desire to learn displayed by the students that I teach at UNICAL is a testimony to the depth of the Nigerian spirit, and it is quite admirable.

    As a specialist in plant breeding and genetics, are there gaps between town and gown that are hindering the realisation of food security in Nigeria?

    Definitely! It is amazing that research done in our universities seem to be more curiosity-driven than driven by the need to solve problems that the country is facing.  Every year, we graduate hundreds of students who have carried out research in fields of agriculture and biological sciences, just to mention a few. Yet, the research projects are aimed at getting them good grades and are seldom transferred to practical applications for farmers and consumers.  I think it requires a change of mindset and a change of focus among professors who are the supervisors of research and the student researchers. Given the global nature of science, there is the need to expose Nigerian professors and students to research techniques and resources available internationally.  This requires collaboration between Nigerian professors and their counterparts in other parts of the world.  The fact that such collaboration is encouraged by UNICAL and other universities in Nigeria will go a long way towards bridging the gap between town and gown.

    How prepared is Nigeria in the battle for food security?

    I think for the reasons mentioned above, we still have a long way to go.  For an agrarian society, food security should not be a problem that we face but it is and that means that there is something fundamentally wrong.  Very few states in America are blessed with the tropical weather we have in Nigeria which favors food cultivation and yet they produce most of their food items and even export them to countries like Nigeria!  Why would a country like Nigeria import food items like strawberries which can be grown in parts of this country?  Why is the Tilapia sold in our local markets imported from China with all the Riverine areas we have in this country? The battle for food security is one that that can definitely be won, but not by wishful thinking. All hands must be on deck to ensure that we are prepared to win this battle.

    What profession would you have chosen apart from teaching sciences?

    I love education.  My husband and I are blessed to own a secondary school in Calabar, called The Christian Science College and impacting the lives of these young students gives me a great sense of fulfilment.  So if I wasn’t a biology professor, I think I would have gone into educational administration.

    How fulfilling is teaching especially in a foreign land?

    It is quite fulfilling.  Nothing surpasses the joy of seeing the light dawn in the face of someone when they finally grasp a concept.  Students everywhere seem to struggle with science and so I love being able to simplify complex concepts and make it meaningful to students at different levels.

    “Teaching at Faulkner allows me to combine the two things I love most: influencing lives and pointing people to the One who designed us as the master piece of His creation.” How do you mean, and is there any link to Christian Science College?

    There appears to be a tension between scientists and atheists, with people claiming that you cannot be a scientist and believe in a Creator.  For me, it is the reverse.  The more I study biology as a science, the more I am awed by the intricate design of biological beings that point to a Master Designer. Since Faulkner is a Christian University, the emphasis is on seeing God’s influence in everything we teach and I love being able to do that as I teach biology.  With reference to the Christian Science College, it is a dream come true for my husband and I. We are excited about the growth of the school and the doors of opportunity that have allowed us to affiliate the school with Christian universities in America. Along with parents, I think teachers are in a unique position to influence lives and I take this responsibility seriously.

    Raising children in Diaspora is a big headache to most Africans. How are you handling this in your family such that the children will not be lost to the world?

    I think raising African children in Diaspora is challenging for those of us who do not want our children to lose track of the things that make us uniquely African, but it is a challenge that we embrace in my family.  We intentionally inculcate traditional values into our children such as respecting their senior siblings, not addressing their elders on a first name basis, morning duties and family chores.  We incorporate African dishes into our daily diets, use our native language at home and dress in Nigerian attire on Sundays and on special occasions.  Our children are constantly reminded that they are Nigerians by Divine design and not by accident, and we make a point of spending as many holidays as we can in Nigeria.  I think it is great for them to be exposed to American culture and traditions but even more important for them to hold on to the things that are important to us as Africans.

     

  • Fed Govt advised on economic diversification, food security

    Fed Govt advised on economic diversification, food security

    The Federal Government has been urged to focus attention to the agric sector and diversify the economy to address the country’s challenges, especially in the area of food security.

    The Vice Chancellor, Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, Prof Charles Ayo,  who spoke yesterday at the inauguration of West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) for Root and Tuber Crops Project at the university in Ota, said cassava and other tuber crops are the mainstay of Africa and as such should be preserved.

    The inauguration of WAVE, he said, came at the right time because the slogan of the new government was change.

    The vice-chancellor said Nigeria and others African countries depended on foreign aids for solving their problems.

    Ayo said if the virus challenging cassava could be effectively tackled before getting to Nigeria and other West African countries, it would ensure that staple food supply is intact.

    The WAVE Coordinator for Covenant University, Dr. Angela Eni, said there was  need to ensure a clear understanding of virus threat of roots and tuber crops to increase productivity.

    Eni said poor understanding of roots and tuber problems have hindered farmers from achieving their goals.

    “Equipping farmers with accurate  information is vital to achieving food security,” she said.

    Eni said cassava brown streak is not yet in Nigeria, adding that WAVE is trying to ensure that it does not get into the country by engaging in advocacy and other preventive measures.

    “The virus is presently in Democratic Republic of Congo but we do not want it in Nigeria,” she said.

    Policy makers and stakeholders, she said, should be part of the project to enhance cassava production in Nigeria and Africa.

    She said about $3 million has been earmarked for the WAVE programme by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

  • How to achieve alternative food security

    How to achieve alternative food security

    The cost of industrial agriculture and junk food has become high necessitating a global search for sustainable alternatives to achieving food security. Experts see agro-ecological approach, which provides socio-economic and environmental benefits that can be scaled up to empower smallholder farming communities, as a viable option to achieving food security. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Rising food prices and increasing climate instability have sparked political changes around the world and put agriculture on international spotlight. What kind of agriculture is best suited to respond to those challenges has also become a global subject of discussion.

    Much of the policy debate on food security, climate change and agriculture assumes that industrial agriculture and related bio-technology are the only options for feeding a growing global population. Agribusiness and agrochemical companies have created and supported this image through aggressive advertising, lobbying and support for research institutions.

    Experts see the agro-ecological farming systems as one solution. Agro-ecological farming is defined as the application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agro ecosystems.

    It starts from the interplay between the natural environment and agriculture, building on local priorities and knowledge about site-specific conditions.

    Riding on this momentum, global farmers’ movements are promoting agro ecology to advance food sovereignty, which establishes each nation’s right to democratically determine its own path to ensure stable food supplies for its people under conditions that “feed the world while cooling the planet”.

    Experts are also of the opinion that agro- ecological agricultural production will lower the use of imported inputs as well as production costs.

    A food expert, Prof Tola Atinmo, said climate change and industrial  agriculture  require urgent attention, and investment in a model of agriculture that is truly sustainable.

    According  to him, farming has to be  practised  in a  way  that  it contribute to people’s well-being by providing them with sufficient food and other goods and services in ways that are economically efficient, profitable, socially responsible, culturally acceptable and environmentally sound.

    He said the  use of pesticides as practised in the developing world, poses significant risks to human health and to biodiversity, which is an important source of food and livelihoods for many of the poorest people.

    Further loss of genetic diversity in plant crops and animal breeds, he  noted,  is dangerous, because it makes food supply more vulnerable to outbreaks of pests and diseases and to loss of capacity to adapt to changing climatic conditions.

    For many small-scale farmers, the purchase of manufactured fertilisers and pesticides is constrained by the high costs of these relative to output prices, or simply by their unavailability. Also, the farmers who buy pesticides would still be at risk because the information on how to use them properly is simply not available.

    As an approach, he said agro-ecology aims to make agriculture economically, ecologically, and socially more sustainable.

    This, however, requires finding biological ways to reduce the need for pesticides. At the end, it produces positive impacts in terms of human health, reduced emissions, and greater protection of bio-diversity.

    With agro-ecological practices that diversify agricultural systems, invasive species will spread at slower rates, establish less effectively and have more limited effects on yield and quality.

    System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an example of agro-ecology in action.

    It is an agro-ecological approach that originally focused on better husbandry of hand-planted rice crops and has since been adapted for other staples. Key components of SRI include starting with fewer, younger, widely spaced seedlings, grown in mostly aerobic soils instead of constantly flooded fields. The SRI, which is also called the System of Crop Intensification (SCI) has had great success among small farmers in many countries around the world.

    SRI allows farmers to increase their rice production through a shift in the management of plant, water, soil and nutrients toward a more favorable environment for the growth of rice plants. Farmers utilising SRI techniques over the past ten years have experienced an increase in rice yields from 30 to 150 per cent, depending on the farmers’ levels of SRI implementation and productivity, and on natural conditions for rice farming. They are also are able to reduce the amount of seeds they use by 50 to 70 per cent, and can lessen or end their dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

    The Director, Research Operations Department, National Cereals Research Institute(NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, Dr  Myimaorga Emmanuel Abo,  said  the use  of  SCI has shown very positive results in  some  part of the North as  the use of alternative management practices for a number of other crops.

    For this reason, the principles that make up a SCI are now spreading through the country for a range of crops. With wider spaces between rows and plants, SCI is becoming the ‘normal way of growing more staples in the North.

    If he  has its way, the yield of different varieties of rice  grown using this technique will increase more in the next two years or so in many areas of the country.

    Right now, the SRI method is being used by only a handful of farmers.  But these few farmers are amazed by the results they are getting.  NCRI’s work is  unique in the region as it focuses on empowering people within the communities.

    The institute has developed a participatory extension mechanism through local community based organisations, where people actively participate in agricultural development. Prior to SRI, the mainstream approach to rice intensification focused on the promotion and proper use of fertiliser, safe use of pesticides or the use of pesticides as a last resort, the use of improved seeds, and the promotion of integrated pest management (IPM).

    The approach convinced farmers and other stakeholders that rice productivity could be increased quickly, reliably and profitably using these techniques. High external input with corresponding high outputs were widely accepted as the mainstream strategy for rice intensification.

    The introduction of SRI gives small-scale farmers an alternative solution to the high cost of external input under the earlier approach.

    According to him, SRI allows farmers to increase their rice productivity at a lower external input cost, and to maintain ownership of local seeds, even as the system enhances soil fertility.

    Abo said  SRI is beneficial to farmers with small landholdings who practice rain-fed agriculture. It promotes the use of local seeds and the management of available water resources more efficiently and productively. As farmers gradually increase seed selection from their own familiar and valued seeds, they can achieve higher yields, thus strengthening their ownership of such seeds.

    Last year, the World Bank Senior Operations Specialist and Task Team Leader of the project, Dr. Lucas Akapa, said at the opening ceremony of the Eighth World Bank Project Implementation Mission to Kano State  said the project in Kano has promoted Draught Tolerant Maize (DTM) in the traditionally non-maize growing areas using and adoption of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) among rice farmers resulting to average yield increase from 2.7 metric tonnes to 3.6 metric tonnes per hectare.

    Trials with the SRI were undertaken at the SabonGari station of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria as far as 2006-07, while farmer training and trials were done in Ondo State about the same period.

    In 2010, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) Green Sahel-RDI began promoting SRI in Jigawa State after sending participants to an SRI event sponsored the USAID-funded IICEM/E-ATPExpanded Agribusiness Trade Promotion project in Mali in 2010.

    In July 2011, Green Sahel Agricultural and Rural Development Institute (GSARDI) conducted a training programme on SRI and organic methods with support from E-ATP project in Jigawa State. According to a 2012 USAID PowerPoint, farmers trained by the E-ATP SRI events in Nigeria have gotten yields up to 10 tons/ha. Subsequent trials are ongoing.

    This year, SRI Initiative assisted by the West Africa Agriculture Productivity Programme (WAAPP), was launched in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, aimed at increasing farmers’rice yields in Nigeria.

    The initiative is to make agriculture more productive and sustainable and to promote innovations in technologies, institutions, processes, organisations and markets.

    WAAPP is a World Bank-assisted programme under the auspices of the member countries of the Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS). The objective of the project is to improve agricultural productivity in the ECOWAS countries.

    The recommended SRI practices include: raised unflooded seedbeds; selecting only good seeds for sowing in the nursery and use of strong seedlings from the nursery for transplanting; using younger seedlings (preferably 8–15 days for the short-term variety, and 8–20 days for medium- or long-term variety) transplanted immediately after uprooting; fewer seedlings and preferably just one seedling per hill; shallow and careful transplanting; wider spacing between plants, preferably transplanting in a square pattern to expose plants more to the sun and air and to facilitate weeding; keeping minimum water levels in the field when transplanting and during the vegetative stage of rice growth; early and frequent weeding (to aerate the soil as well as to remove weeds); and application of compost, as much as possible. Some of the above-mentioned practices go against generally-accepted practices. For example, rice farmers are used to transplanting older seedlings (more than one month old), many seedlings per clump (more than five), placing the roots in very deeply when transplanting, and waiting for the field to be flooded with water before transplanting.

  • ‘Increase in rice production ‘ll boost food security’

    ‘Increase in rice production ‘ll boost food security’

    A lecturer in the department of Agronomy at the Delta State University, Prof Peter Eruotor,  has advocated the need for a sustainable increase in rice production as panacea to improving food security, alleviating poverty and preserving the environment.

    Prof Eruotor made the remark during the 34th inaugural lecture of the university.

    The lecture, which was held at the Pre-degree Auditorium, was attended by members of the academic community.

    Delivering a lecture titled: “Rice, the staff of life,”  Prof Eruotor noted that poor government policies, lack of education of farmers and inadequate research institutes on modern trends in rice production have resulted in low quantity production of rice locally.

    He said rice was the staple food of more than half the world’s population, adding that it was imperative that rice production should increase in line with the current population explosion.

    He said the removal of rice import restrictions in 1997 caused the flooding of the Nigerian market with foreign  rice, a situation which, according to him, discouraged local producers.

    Prof Eruotor listed the problem of pest and disease control, soil fertility management, unavailability of simple and cheap farm implements, research, access to institutional and infrastructural support credit facilities and inadequate input delivery as challenged facing rice production.

    He stressed the need for farmers, consumers, environmentalists, government ministries, international agencies and stakeholders from the civil society to work together to increase local production of rice.

  • ‘Irrigation key to food security’

    The Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr DaudaAbdullahi, said harnessing the nation’s irrigation is vital to food security.

    Abdullahi, who said this in an interview in Bauchi, added that it would be difficult for the country to meet its food needs if depends on rains.

    He said farmers, who planted after the first rains, might lose everything as their plants are dying due to the lack of rains.

    “This has been the trend in the past few years as the effects of climate change continue to adversely affect the country’s agriculture sector.

    “With climate change, everything is uncertain. We can no longer determine when the rain will commence and when it will cease. The only way out is irrigation.

    “We really need to develop our irrigation system, if we intend to explore our agricultural potential,“ he said.

    He said embracing irrigation would improve the nation’s agricultural output and conveniently feed the country.

    Abdullahi said the state has 182,000 hectares of land suitable for irrigation, adding that so far, only 15,000 is being explored.

    “If farmers do not adopt the use of irrigation systems, then the issue of food security will always remain a thorn in the flesh of the nation.

    “Irrigation is the way to go. If we want to talk about serious agriculture, then farmers should embrace irrigation.”

    Abdullahi said to encourage irrigation farming, the Govornor Isa Yuguda led-administration is supporting farmer with subsidised input.

    “The state is providing farmers with subsidised irrigation water pumps, fertiliser, seeds, agro-chemicals and farm machinery services as well as agricultural extension services.”

    The permanent secretary said this year, the state government approved the purchase of 60,000 bags of fertiliser to be sold to farmers at N3,000 per bag, adding that distribution would soon start.

    He added: “The Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BASDP) is also providing training for dry season farmers in the state to equip them with the needed techniques to improve their efficiency.”

    Abdullahi called on dry season farmers to seek professional advice from agricultural extension officers and other professionals to optimise their production potential.

  • UI, institute to enhance food security

    The University of Ibadan (UI) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have expressed their commitment to food security in Nigeria. The agreement was reached during a meeting in the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Isaac Adewole.

    Prof Adewole said both institutions have a common goal of enhancing food security, adding that university is deeply committed to partnerships that would enhance food security. He promised to make funds available to ensure the success of the programme. The Director General of the Institute, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, said IITA would contribute in technical aspect while the University of Ibadan would support in the aspect of training, adding that the programme was intended for the youth.

    Sanginga said that the Institute’s goal was to organise a programme in agro business where youths would be exposed to the opportunities in the sector.

    “This will help to reduce youth unemployment in the country,” Dr Sanginga said.