The Nation Newspaper

Tag: tonnes

  • Fertiliser use to surpass 200 million tonnes in 2018

    Fertiliser use to surpass 200 million tonnes in 2018

    Global fertiliser use is likely to rise above 200.5 million tonnes in 2018, 25 per cent higher than recorded in 2008.

    World fertiliser consumption will grow by 1.8 per cent a year through 2018, according to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s new report “World fertiliser trends and outlook to 2018.”

    At the same time “the global capacity of fertiliser products, intermediates and raw materials will increase further,” the report said.

    As the potential to produce fertilisers will outpace their use, the global potential balance – a technical term measuring the amount available over actual demand – will grow for nitrogen, phosphate and potash, the main three soil fertilisers.

    Global use of nitrogen, by far the largest fertiliser base, is projected to rise 1.4 per cent each year through 2018, while phosphate use will increase 2.2 per cent and potash 2.6 per cent. In comparison, the supply of those three critical components is expected to grow by 3.7 per cent, 2.7 per cent and 4.2 per cent per annum, respectively, according to FAO’s outlook report.

  • Fed Govt targets 1.1m metric tonnes of milk

    Fed Govt targets 1.1m metric tonnes of milk

    The Federal Government yesterday said it would increase milk production from 469,000metric tonnes (MT) to 1.1 million.

    The Director, Department of Animal Production and Husbandry Services in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ademola Raji, said in a statement in Abuja by its Director of Information, Tony Ohaeri.

    Dr. Raji, who was represented by Deputy Director in the department, Alhaji Adeola, said Nigeria milk production which per lactation cow falls below 500 litres per day will be increased to 2000 litres per day.

    According to him, this could be achieved  by upgrading the milk production level of indigenous cows through artificial insemination with high productivity semen and feed supplement.

    He maintained that the aim of the workshop was to equip the officers of the eleven states as well as the Value Chain Team (VCT) with the training on artificial insemination techniques and assessment at farm level, Bovine reproduction and health in dairy animals and techniques for assessment of animal health and production parameters.

    On his part, the Desk Officer, Dairy Value Chain Mr. Ezenwa Nwakonobi while giving the over view of the dairy value chain said the objective of the value chain is the creation of structural shift in the dairy industry.

    He reiterated the commitment of government to turn the country into a major player in local milk and milk products supply, create wealth for dairy farmers and to create jobs along the value chain.

    Nwakonobi added that the government hopes to link private sector processors to domestic milk supplies in the country by organising small holder milk producers cooperatives clustered around milk processors.

  • 17,500 tonnes of wheat expected today

    ABOUT 100 ships, including one laden with 17,500 tonnes of bulk wheat, are expected at the Lagos port before the end of this month.

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said the Golden Ship carrying the bulk wheat would berth at the Apapa Bulk Terminal today.

    It said 16 of the expected ships would arrive with petroleum products, 15 would sail in with new and fairly used vehicles and 46 containers of different goods.

    The document showed that other ships would arrive with rice, fresh fish, bulk sugar, general cargo, bulk malt steel products, diplomatic, semi trailers and palm oil.

    About 14 ships are waiting to discharge petroleum products at the oil terminals within the port. The document shows that six of the ships will discharge petrol, three will discharge diesel, two will discharge aviation fuel, one will discharge kerosene and another ethanol.

    It also shows that 11 other ships are waiting to discharge general cargo, bulk wheat, used and old vehicles, rice, containers.

    Nineteen ships are discharging various products, such as gypsum, bulk gas, container, fresh fish, wheat, rice, steel product and petroleum products.

     

  • 40,000 metric tonnes of food for flood victims

    The Federal Government yesterday began a free distribution of 40,000 metric tonnes of food items to flood victims in the country.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, said this yesterday at the release of food to families affected by flood in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    He said the government has put in place a national flood recovery food production plan.

    The goal, he said, is to ensure that the immediate food security needs of the areas were not affected and to ensure that national food security is not threatened.

    To achieve this, the minister said N9.7billion has been released by President Goodluck Jonathan to implement the programme.

    “The flood situation presents a huge challenge on food security in many parts of the country, including Oyo State.

    “Farm lands have been washed away; farmers have been displaced and their food security has been compromised.

    “But let me assure you that the Federal Government is working to mitigate the impact of the flood.

    “There will not be famine in Nigeria. We will not have a food crisis. We will recover from the flood,” he assured.

    The benefiting states are Anambra (1,500 metric tonnes), Lagos (1,200 metric tonnes),Imo (1,200 metric tonnes), Ondo (900 metric tonnes), Ogun (900 metric tonnes),Enugu (750 metric tonnes), Bauchi (1,200 metric tonnes) and Abia (900 metric tonnes )

    The minister said the national flood recovery food production plan would be implemented in four phases, beginning with the release of 40,000 metric tonnes of food from the strategic grain reserves to families affected directly by the flood.

    “Second, we will provide free improved seeds and fertilisers to farmers that are directly affected.

    “Third, in states that are affected by floods, but with vast areas that are unaffected, we will provide improved seeds and fertilisers for farmers.

    “Finally, in other parts not affected by the flood, we will provide improved seeds and fertilisers to help them double up production,” he said.

    The government also approved N27billion for flood victims.

    Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development Bukar Tijani said this yesterday at the distribution of food items from the strategic grains reserve silo in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

    “Plateau State will receive 1,500 metric tonnes of assorted food items, which translates to about 50 trailer load of food items.”

    He warned that the food items should not be sold or diverted.

    Kaduna, Nasarawa and Taraba states are expected to pick up their allocation from the Jos silo.

    Governor Jonah David Jang praised the Federal Government for responding to the plight of the victims.