By Chimezie Anaso

Green Revolution Farmers Feed the Nation Foundation (GRFFN) initiative has secured 200.71 hectares of land in Umueje Community, Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra for agriculture purposes.

Amb. Jonathan Okwudiri, Founder and Director General of Royal Ambassadors parent body of GRFFN said this at the inauguration of its corporate office at Amaenyi, Awka on Saturday.

Okwudiri said the foundation had established functional smart farm settlements in Umueje Community and Ugbene Community in Awka North Local Government Area to boost sustainable food production in Anambra and beyond.

He said the project was in partnership and supported by Anambra and Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Through this agriculture project and empowerment scheme, we hope to end hardship, hunger and reduce poverty in Nigeria and Africa by 2030 in line with Sustainable Development Goals.

“We shall provide financial support, technical training, build capacity, give access to markets as well as provide mentorship support to our members.

“We invite individuals and cooperatives who are ready and willing to join this agriculture revolution to come and register with GRFFN,” he said.

On her part, Umennayia Akunnaka, Deputy President Young Women Ambassadors, a subgroup of Royal Ambassadors, said it aimed at Nigeria where every individual had the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and reach their full potential.

“Our mission is to empower women, youth, and vulnerable individuals in Nigeria through advocacy, capacity building, and support services, promoting inclusive development, and enriching lives.

“In Anambra Chapter, Royal Ambassadors Family has a very strong base membership strength with about 30,000 women and youths across the 21 local government areas.

“Our grassroots presence is well-established, with members demonstrating a strong commitment to the visionary leader’s instructions and directives, irrespective of individual political affiliations,” she said.

Speaking at the event, Dr Foster Ifejiofor, Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra, commended GRFFN for their initiative which he said was in tandem with the regenerative agriculture policy of the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo administration.

Ifejiofor, who was represented by Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said the state government was planning irrigation farming which would guarantee all-year-round farming and productivity.

He advised farmers to embrace organic farming for production of organic food as well as plant in short duration crops for economic viability and profit.

“We are happy that the Anambra chapter of your organisation is doing well at the national level. As a government we are ready to support you with technical and administrative capacity.

“We are happy that there are a good number of youths here, we cannot leave farming for the older generations, the government is willing to link you up with buyers,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has released farm inputs to farmers across the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi for increased food production in 2025.

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Uchenna Igwe, made the disclosure at Ezzangbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area during the distribution of the inputs which include fertilisers, rice seedlings and herbicides.

Igwe said that Nwifuru was desirous that genuine farmers access the inputs to ensure bumper harvest in the state.

“Increased food production is a cardinal objective of Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s administration and no effort will be spared in achieving it.

“This exercise is not just about distribution but empowering genuine farmers with required inputs and knowledge.

“There is a possibility that before anyone is given appointment in the state going forward, the person may be required to show his or her farm,” he added.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku, emphasised the importance of developing community-based farms and urged local councils to lead by example.

“Local government areas should inaugurate functional farms which must be replicated in the development centres.

“Individuals should also embrace farming to boost food production in the state.

“The items are not for sale and should not be hoarded in any form,” she said.

The commissioner disclosed that the governor recently announced the siting of a legacy project at Ohaukwu LGA which will create more than 500 jobs for indigenes.

The Executive Chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Chief Ikechukwu Odono, thanked the governor for prioritising the welfare of rural farmers and promised that the inputs would be given to genuine farmers.

“I urge the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the inputs to boost food production in the council, state and beyond.

“We will not condone hoarding or sale of the inputs to avoid jeopardising the governor’s objectives,” he said.

A resource person at the event, Mr John Nweze, educated the farmers on good agronomic practices to assist them in their farming endeavours.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the distribution was also conducted at Ishielu LGA among other councils of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu

By Rita Iliya

The Niger Ministry for Agriculture on Wednesday in Minna trained farmers on the use of solar-powered bubble dryer for the preservation of perishable farm produce.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was done in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Dare Consultant.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Bawa Musa, said the training was to educate farmers on how to preserve their farm produce, reduce post-harvest losses and increase their income.

Musa, who was represented by Alhaji Maikasuwa Garba, Director, Agric Services and Linkages, said the training was part of a pilot programme aimed at introducing solar powered bubble dryer technology to farmers.

“This training is to equip our farmers on the use of technology to sun their products, instead of sun drying their produce by the roadside.

“This roadside practice is unhygienic, hence the need to embrace technology for safety of the food we all consume,” Bawa said.

He said the solar-powered bubble dryer, which was fabricated by Dare Consultant, would be made available to farmers at subsidised rates.

Alhaji Abubakar Manko, the state’s Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), lauded the organisers for training farmers on use of modern way of sun drying their produce.

Manko, represented by Malam Danasabe Umaru, Organising Secretary of AFAN, said the association would encourage its members to embrace the new technology.

Similarly, Mrs Helen Shaba, the state’s Coordinator of National Association of Women in Agriculture (NAWA), appreciated the organisers for the training, especially to women farmers.

Shaba, represented by Mrs Victoria Alkali, said that the training would enhance the knowledge of women farmers on preserving farm produce to reduce losses.

Representative of Young Farmers Association of Nigeria in Niger, Malam Aliyu Anaba, noted that the dryer would ease the drying process for their members as many of them loose produce due to lack of proper drying facilities.

In her presentation, the Resource Person, Dr Hassana Garba, Director, Extension Services, Niger State Agricultural Mechanisation Agency (NAMDA), highlighted the benefits of the solar-powered bubble dryer.

“The machine preserves farm produce, especially perishable produce like tomatoes, and reduces post-harvest losses,” she said.

She added that the machine would also help farmers to maintain the quality and quantities of their produce as well as increase their income. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Joe Idika

Oboh Linus

Nasarawa State Government says it has begun distribution of free fertiliser to 73,500 farmers across the state to boost food production.

Mr Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Gov. Abdullahi Sule disclosed this at a press conference on Tuesday in Lafia.

Ahemba explained that the gesture was meant to further boost farming activities and enhance food security in the state and the country.

According to him, 500 farmers from each of the 147 electoral wards across the state will benefit from the gesture.

Ahemba added that chairmen of the 13 local government areas of the state also got 100 bags of fertiliser each to be applied in local government farms.

He said that the initiative was in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s  Renewed Hope Food Security Agenda.

The governor’s aide said that as part of government’s commitment to revamp the agricultural sector, it had cultivated 3,500 hectares of rice at the state farm Jangwa,  Awe Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nasarawa State Government in 2024, acquired 10,000 hectares of farmland at Jangwa in Awe and cultivated 2,000 hectares of rice farm.

Ahemba restated government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for investment in the agriculture sector through the timely provision of improved farm inputs and implements to increase production.

On rural infrastructural development, Ahemba said that government had concluded plans to construct rural roads.

“The access roads are in line with the administration of Gov. Sule’s determination to open up rural communities to have easy access to enable them to transport their farm produce to urban areas without hitches,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Ukpoju

By Mercy Omoike

Some Lagos residents have lamented the high cost of tomatoes across the country opting for alternatives to the produce.

The residents in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos said the high cost of the produce made them seek alternatives in line with the current economic realities.

A resident at Amuwo area of the state, Mrs Olachi Iroha, said she uses the alternative of palm kernel for stews due to the high cost of tomatoes.

“Tomato is actually expensive now, so if the costs keep rising, we will switch to the alternative.

“I bought a small paint bucket for N8,000 recently after much plea, if the situation continues like this, we will put the purchase of tomatoes on hold.

“I will go on to use palm kernel stew popularly known as ‘ofe akwu’, if I cannot afford tomatoes when next I want to make a pot of stew.

“There is nothing we can do about the situation, we will just buy what we can afford,” she said.

Also, Mrs Temitope Babalola-Hodonu, a resident at Alimosho area of the state, hoped for a drop in the price of the produce, while lamenting how much she had to spend for the same quantity she usually buys.

“I bought a mini basket over the weekend at N50,000. I felt so bad spending so much on what I would have bought at N15,000 or N18,000 weeks back.

“The tomato is not even readily available in the market, so I quickly had to buy the one I saw.

“We do hope for a change in this situation, because not everybody likes tomato alternatives,” she said.

Also, a cooked food seller, popularly known as Iya Adetoun, at Dopemu area of the state, said the cost of tomato is crippling profits in the food catering business.

“We have not been finding it easy in the cooking business since this hike in tomato prices, and we cannot use alternative for mass cooking.

“A small bucket of tomatoes that I used to buy for N6,000 or N7,000 was sold to me for N35,000 over the weekend.

“We hope the price drops because how can we break even if we continue buying at this exorbitant price?” she said.

On her part, Mrs Anne Odafe, a resident at Ago Palace Way area of the state, said she augments the little tomatoes she can buy with tin tomatoes.

“The price of tomatoes is currently too expensive and cannot meet the volume I need to prepare for my family.

“Tomatoes worth N4,000 cannot go anywhere if you consider the quantity of stew you need to prepare. Some people blend cucumbers with their tomatoes to increase the quantity.

“What I do is that I add more tin tomatoes than usual, just to boost the quantity my family needs,” Odafe said.

Another consumer, Mrs Ifeoma Okoye, said she uses cucumber, spring onions and cabbage to make her stew.

“The high cost of tomato is no longer funny considering the low purchasing power of most households.

“I can’t wait for the price to drop because no alternative tastes like tomato stew,” she said.

NAN reports that 50kg of tomatoes sells as high as N50,000 up North, while the same quantity is sold between N85,000 and N100,000 from late June till date in Lagos. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Segun Giwa

The President of Ondo State Farmers Congress, Comrade Abayomi Monilari, has called on government to provide subsidies and implement policies to help farmers achieve food security amid hardship.

Monilari made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of Eminent Peace Ambassador Award on Tuesday at the Dome International Conference Centre, Akure.

The ceremony was held in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Cooperatives, celebrated annually, which promotes the values of cooperation, mutual support, and collective action.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of cooperative movements in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Monilari was honoured as an Eminent Peace Ambassador and Global Diplomat by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA).

He pointed out that in most developed countries where food is sufficient, the government provides subsidies for farmers to enable them to sell food products at an affordable price.

“One of the key strategies for achieving food security is to empower smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of our agricultural sector.

“This can be done by providing them with training, resources, and market access.

“Additionally, investing in agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation systems, storage facilities, and transportation networks will help to improve the efficiency and productivity of our food system.

“Ultimately, my mission is to ensure that every citizen of Ondo State and Nigeria has access to nutritious food, know the health status of the food they consume and that our food system is resilient, sustainable, and equitable.

“By working together, we can achieve food security, improve the health and well-being of our citizens, and contribute to the economic development of our state and nation,” stated.

NAN reports that Monilari was honoured alongside other distinguished Peace Ambassadors for his outstanding contributions to peacebuilding and crime reduction efforts across Ondo State.

He described the award as a strong motivation to continue his advocacy and community-driven interventions aimed at fostering harmony and security.

Speaking, the President of the Association, His Eminence Amb. Per Stafsen, the International Director of IAWPA, said the gathering was to strengthen peacebuilding initiatives.

Stafsen, represented by the International Director of IAWPA, Mr Chidi Ehiriado, stressed the importance of rejecting divisions based on religion or ethnicity.

He urged citizens to think globally but act locally in their contributions to peace and development.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

One of the major highlights of the event was the conferment of Eminent Peace Ambassador and Global Diplomat honours on distinguished personalities for their commitment to peace and community development.

Among the recipients were the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye; and the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), Akogun Adetunji Adeleye.

Earlier, Apostle Francis Adegbenro, President of YES, emphasised the need for peace in nation building.

“There can be no cooperation without peace, and where youths are helpless, the entire society becomes vulnerable,” he said.

The event concluded with a renewed call for stakeholders to harness the power of cooperative systems in driving sustainable peace and development. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni