NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Economy/Business , Food Security

Kogi signs agreements with WB, IFAD to boost agriculture

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Kogi Government has signed two separate subsidiary loan agreements with the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for rural roads, agriculture market and value chain development.

Mohammed Onogu, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Yahaya Bello, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Lokoja.

Onogu said the state Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, signed the agreements on behalf of the State Government.

According to him, the loans comprise 62 million US Dollars from the World Bank and 10 million US Dollars from IFAD for rural roads, agriculture market and value chain development.

“The IFAD-Assisted Value Chain Development Programme is an agricultural initiative aimed at reducing rural poverty, enhancing food security among the poor households and promoting economic growth on a sustainable basis.

“The programme is essentially on the production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in targeted Local Government Areas in the state.

“The programme is made up of three basic components which are: Agricultural Market development, to support value addition, market linkages and support to market infrastructure and to build a very strong agribusiness and value chain orientation to farmers in rural communities,”he said.

The chief press secretary also said that the other component was the Smaller Productivity Enhancement, while the third programme was management and coordination.

“The World Bank loan for Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) will upgrade over 500 kilometres of rural roads, improve agro-logistics centres as well as enhance connectivity and access to local markets and agribusiness services in the state.

“The project is to be jointly funded by the World Bank, French Development Agency and the Government of Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

Economy/Business , Food Security

FG, U.S. sign MoU to boost cashew production in Nigeria

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By Doris Esa

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) West Africa Pro- Cashew Project, to increase cashew productivity.

The project aimed to improve the cashew sector by increasing productivity and efficiency of farmers in the cashew value chain through improving crop quality, rehabilitating and renovating orchards among others.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono, at the signing of the MoU, in Abuja,said that the event was another milestone in the record of the ministry’s history in its hunt to achieve national food and nutrition security, among others.

Nanono noted that the ministry over the years had achieved increase in the production of crops of strategic importance through the provision of improved seeds, seedlings and other farm inputs to farmers.

The minister said such crops included cashew, cocoa, cassava, rice, wheat among others.

“However, today’s meeting focuses on the cashew value chain because of its importance in the sustenance of commodity export business for a sustainable development of a Cashew Agro- Industry.

” In Nigeria, cashew is increasing in its importance as an export crop since the 1990s.

”It is interesting to know that as the 2nd  non- oil Export foreign earner for the country, cashew generated about 500 million dollars for the country in 2018 (CBN bulletin, in 2018), providing livelihood for 300,000 to 500,000 families, mostly youths and women in Nigeria.”

” The National Production Capacity of Cashew in 2020 was 260, 000MT on 100, 000ha of land, average yield was 600kg/ha as against the global average of 1,230kg/ha potential area cultivable is about 350, 000ha,” he said.

Nanono said that the overall objectives of the cashew value chain was to improve cashew productivity, expand the national hectareage,and rehabilitate existing old plantations.

He also said the objective of the cashew value chain was to increase and improve storage and processing capacity and develop effective market information system in the sector.

“The ministry’s target is to raise production from 260, 000MT in 2020 to 350,000t by 2023 and processing capacity from 15 per cent in 2020  to 35 per cent by 2023,” he said.

The minister thanked the USDA West Africa PRO- Cashew Project for the opportunity to interact with them on the  intervention strategies to improve the cashew sector in Nigeria.

” It is also heartwarming to note that in West Africa, Nigeria is selected alongside Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana for this laudable project,.

”It is our hope however, that this intervention will result in the total transformation of the cashew sector in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, to kick-start the collaboration with the USDA West Africa PRO- Cashew project, a Cashew Value Chain Working Committee was inaugurated to look into the problems and challenges that are affecting the growth of the value chain in the country.

”The Committee with support from USDA the West Africa PRO- Cashew project is to develop a 10-year strategic plan for Nigeria’s cashew value chain,” he said.

In his remarks, PRO-Cashew’s Chief of Party, Mr  Jean Francois- Guay, said the project would be focusing on the cashew sector in Nigeria.

According to him, the project would also focus on training of the farmers, adding there was a need to increase quality of rural farmers.

” In a nutshell, with the rural farmers, Nigeria could increase and double the processing of cashew,” he said.

Economy/Business , Food Security

Nigeria must feed herself – Minister

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By Sylvester Thompson

Dr Ogbonnya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, said in Abuja on Thursday that food security was very critical to Nigeria and that the nation must be well positioned to feed itself.

Onu said Nigeria’s burgeoning population meant that its inability to feed its citizens would create problems for the country and also for the global community.

Receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology that paid him a courtesy visit, he said continuous importation of food already created a hike in prices, thereby putting pressure on the country.

He said that the ministry was determined to move the country’s economy away from that of exporter of raw materials and natural resources to one that was more knowledge-driven and productive.

“We believe very strongly that once our economy depends on knowledge, we can use that knowledge to convert the raw materials that we have in abundance into products and services,’’ he said.

The minister stressed that the importation of the country’s needs was not favourable to a nation with a large population like Nigeria.

He said since more than 60 per cent of the Nigerian population was made up of young people, the inability to create jobs would lead to difficulties.

Onu added that the nation’s GDP would rise if there was a reduction in importation and there was encouragement of local production of products and foods.

He said also that there was the need for food safety and maintenance of high standards, adding that food safety was of vital importance.

“Nobody will like to import or export food that is not safe,’’ he said.

The minister noted that the Nigerian Institute for Food Science and Technology was very critical to the nation’s economy and tasked the institute to maintain standard and to ensure food safety.

“Once we can maintain very high standard and ensure that our food is safe, it will be easier for us to penetrate the African market and then the global market,’’ he stressed.

Earlier, Prof. Iwe Maduebibisi, National President of the Institute, said it looked forward to more concerted efforts with the ministry in their collective effort to chart a new course for the institute.

Maduebibisi assured the minister that the institute was prepared to support government to ensure food security, safety and availability. (NAN)

Economy/Business , Food Security

Gombe Govt. moves to harness potentials in fish farming

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By Peter Uwumarogie

Gombe State Government says it is working to harness its potentials in fish production to boost the economy of rural communities in the State.

Mr Jidda David, Director of Fishery, Gombe state Ministry of Water Resources, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Wednesday.

David said that the state government had plans to leverage on the comparative advantage of the state as “some of our locations support fish production in large quantities.

“We have so many persons engaging in fish farming because we have the water bodies like the Dadin-Kowa, Balanga and Cham Dams, we have wetlands like Kalshingi community with over 200 clusters of fish farmers.’’

He added that Gombe state was second to Niger state in fish production in the whole of the North, saying it is one area identified to impact on the economy of the state.

According to him, harnessing the potentials in fish farming would create more jobs for the youths as well as boost the income of fish farmers in several communities where fish farming was taken as vocation.

David said that the state government through an African Development Bank (AfDB) project, would resuscitate the government-owned hatchery  where fish fingerlings would be produced and sold to farmers.

“Under this, youths will be trained on how to breed and culture fish and  starter packs would be given to them after the training. The initiative is part of the state government’s effort to empower farmers.

“The fish component of AfDB project is expected to start in 2021, we will have 100 youths trained annually and we will give them starter packs to enable them practice the vocation successfully,’’ David said.

He said that the state government had completed its fish feed mill, processing sinking feeds, but noted that many farmers were not disposed to it, “even though they are nutritious and can grow the fish.’’

According to him, farmers prefer the floating ones where their fish would be coming to the surface so that they (farmers) could assess the growth of their fish.

He added that the state government was working towards producing fish feeds that would meet the demands of farmers to encourage them to remain in the vocation.

David said that the state government was committed to improving livelihoods of farmers, hence the constant engagement of extension officers with fish farmers to guide on how to construct their ponds and other extension services.(NAN)

Economy/Business , Food Security

NGO tasks govt, development partners on action to transform food systems

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By Felicia Imohimi

Community Action for Food Security (CAFS), an NGO, has called on governments and development partners to help drive action that would transform Nigeria’s food systems for the well-being of the populace.

Executive Director of CAFS, Mr Azeez Salawu, made the call at the virtual UN Food Systems Independent Dialogue (FSSD) convened by the organisation on Tuesday.

The dialogue is titled “Adaptive Approaches for Food Systems Sustainability in Nigeria”.

Salawu said the objective of the meeting was to “spark critical discussion, inspire, engage, network, connect and form a formidable partnership that will be based on investing in food security and rural development leading to the achievement SDGs,”.

He, therefore, urged all tiers of governments and partners to help drive action through more strategic programmes that have a direct impact on small scale farmers, youth and women in agriculture.

The director further advocated robust extension services and an easy access market across the agricultural value chain.

Salawu explained that such action would go a long way in addressing “serious deterioration of food production systems currently bedeviling the country.

“As we commence the decade of action in the attainment of the 2030 SDGs, we call on leaders to find a pathway for more participation of young people.

“The FSSD is coming at the right time as we are also faced with a pandemic that has made it even worst for our small scale farmers to operate in their respective communities thereby reducing their profits and also affecting the economy,” he said.

According to him, the hunger virus is also around as a lot of poor people have been affected.

“For us at CAFS, we strongly believe that there is a need for new policies that will be tailored for a better economy and the environment.

“All hands must be on deck especially as we adapt to the new normal.

“Climate change is another challenge to the Nigeria food system and the environment which calls for more synergy as we need to adapt to the various effects of climate change.

“The small scale farmers should be put into consideration as they are mostly affected by the effect of climate change,” he said.

Salawu gave the assurance that CAFS would continue to guide, strengthen and equip young farmers through continuous awareness, linkages and more support to enhance proper adaptation to climate change for a better food system sustainability in Nigeria.

Earlier, Mrs Idowu Olusola, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, lauded the organiser of the conference.

Olusola said that the conference was aimed at launching a bold new action to deliver progress on all the 17 SDGs which in a large extent relate to a healthier, equitable and sustainable food system.

She identified food systems as touching every aspect of human existence describing the systems as having the power to bring people together as families, communities and nations.

The permanent secretary, however, emphasised that when food systems failed, the resulting disorder threatens the education, health and economy, as well as human rights, peace and security.

“The food and nutrition security in Nigeria today faces enormous challenges.

“These challenges emanate from climate changes, insurgency that displaced population from having access to their farmlands, land tenure system, poor investment in food production and poor processing, inadequate preservation resulting in huge losses.

“Also poor handling of foods, as well as inadequate monitoring and implementation of regulatory frameworks.

“The fragilities and inequalities of our food systems has resulted in general lack of food, hunger and starvation which millions of people around the various states of the Federation, including the FCT have experienced, even during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” she said.

The Food System Dialogue (FSSD) according to her, is expected to improve food and nutrition security in Nigeria, reduce hunger and the prevalence of malnutrition.

“It is also to create a more inclusive healthier food system, encourage collaborative approach towards building a food system in Nigeria and hence the achievement of the SDGs,” she said.

She explained that in an effort to ensure that the food systems are more sustainable, inclusive and resilient; the Nigerian government being a member of the UN was working with multiple stakeholders.

Such collaboration, according to her, is to contribute to making substantial and positive changes in the food system. (NAN)

Economy/Business , Food Security

FG distributes free agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers in Borno

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By Doris Esa

The Federal Government has distributed free Agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers in Maiduguri, Borno, to boost Agricultural production in the state and Nigeria in general.

The Chief Information Officer, Mr Ezeaja Ikemefuna, in the ministry, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Ikemefuna said  Minister of State, Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Shehuri, disclosed this at the roll out ceremony of the distribution of free agricultural inputs to farmers in Maiduguri.

He  quoted the minister as saying that the smallholder farmers operate on little but very significant plots of land for which they toiled all year round producing basic food and cash crops and contribute over 80 per cent to the national food supply.

Shehuri said the Federal Government would continue to support smallholder farmers as well as the physically challenged farmers in Borno, to boost Agricultural production in the state and Nigeria in general.

The minister added that the smallholder farmers would play a major role in ensuring food security and towards averting food scarcity in the 2021 dry season farming which is on-going.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that smallholder farmers must be supported with seeds, Agro chemicals and small Agro equipment to rekindle their hope and accelerate their recovery process from the economic loss suffered during the period of Pandemic.

“Extension Services has been rejigged to serve farmers so that there is seamless and unbroken food supply chain across the country.

“These efforts had since paid off as our food requirement is mostly produced locally with little or no consideration for food imports since COVID-19 set in,” he said.

The minister reiterated the commitment of the ministry towards making the country self sufficient in food production through appropriate Inputs distribution which are available to farmers on subsidy that ranges from 50 per cent to 100 per cent.

According to him, this initiative to a large extent has helped the farmers to increase their profits and earn income to families economically.

He observed that in spite of the security challenges in the state, farmers had demonstrated resilience by optimizing productivity to contribute to national food security.

Shehuri said that the Federal Government would continue to provide the much needed support to further encourage them towards boosting food production and providing rural infrastructure to support their efforts.

The minister further said that the Rural Infrastructures were mainly rural roads, solar boreholes, street lights and rural markets were distributed across the three senatorial districts.

” The items provided for farmers are ; certified Rice seeds – faro 44(24MT), Maize foundation seed (15MT), Cashew nuts (1,5MT) Groundnut foundation (2.5MT),Cashew seeds (1.5MT), Castor foundation (1MT), 3HP irrigation water pumps among others.

“It should be noted that this is 3rd in the series of the distribution of the Ministry’s palliative incentives to farmers in the North East after Gombe and Bauchi states that were just concluded last week.

“So far 12 states have benefitted Nationwide with quality Inputs to sustain the food production, create jobs and the grow the economy from rural base,” he said,

The minister disclosed that in the roll out distribution exercise, “at least 35 per cent of the agricultural inputs were targeted at women farmers in line with the targets set in our National Gender Plan and Policies aimed at ensuring increased opportunities for women.”

“This has been communicated to the Farmer Associations accordingly,” he said

He said the Lake Chad Research Institute, located in Maiduguri was available for state government and other stakeholders in application and updating of knowledge in key areas of Agriculture and also centre of excellence designated for wheat research in Sub Sahara Africa.

In his remark, Borno Gov. Prof. Babagana Zulum, represented by the Chief of Staff, Prof. Isa Hussein ,lauded the Agricultural policies and visionary leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari in the sector geared towards job creation, food sufficiency and economic growth .

He appealed to the farmers to make judicious use of the inputs strictly for farming and not to sale the Agricultural Inputs.

Speaking, Director, Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry, Mrs Karima Babangida, thanked  Zulum and other stakeholders for their support.

She urged the farmers to key in the value chain policy of the Ministry which is aimed towards achieving food sufficiency, increase earnings and job creation for the farmers.

In another development, the minister inaugurated the Bolari Rural Modern Market in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

At the event , he said that the modern market would ensure that the farmers had their food production at identified spots which would increase sales and earnings.

He also visited the Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri whose mandate is to improve the yield and disease resistance of Millet, Wheat and Barley and experiment different systems of farming in the north east to identify which one is suitable for each crop.

The minister asked the management of the institute to be self sufficient and explore alternative financial options of funding beyond focusing solely on budgetary allocation. (NAN)

Economy/Business , Food Security

Bird flu: Poultry association tasks farmers on proper biosecurity

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Felicia Imohimi

Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has urged farmers to ensure proper biosecurity in their poultry farms to guard against transmission of Avian Influenza popularly known as Bird Flu to their farms.

The President of the association, Mr Ezekiel Mam, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, spoke in respect of the outbreak of bird flu in Nigeria, South Korea and other parts of the world.

Mam, who described avian influenza as airborne disease, noted that the outbreak usually occurred during cold weather between November and February.

He further advised farmers to restrict movement of humans to their farms.

According to him, farmers should make sure they disinfect all their equipment and ensure the environment is not accessible to pest because if they have contact with poultry they can easily infest the farm.

Mam called for surveillance, adding that avian influenza could easily be transmitted through the air.

He tasked governments on awareness creation among the populace on the disease to guide against its transformation.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to encourage the Customs and other security agencies to enforce strict ban on the importation of frozen poultry products, eggs and chicks to avoid the catastrophe.

NAN recalls that Hong Kong’s food safety authority on Jan. 18, suspended the importation of poultry meat and products from different areas in Britain, Germany and South Korea due to the outbreak of the bird flu. (NAN)

Economy/Business , Food Security

FG installs pesticides cottage industry to curb tomato pest in Gombe

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By Hajara Leman
The Federal Government has completed the installation of various cottage industries on pesticides in Gombe state, to curb ”Tuta Absoluta” pest in tomatoes.
Alhaji Mustapha Baba-Shehuri, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this during a courtesy call on Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, on Friday in Gombe.
Baba-Shehuri urged the state government should endeavour to put the facility to good use and ensure its maintenance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tuta absoluta is a specie of moth, in the family of Gelechiidae, known by its common names; tomato leafminer, tomato pinworm and South American tomato moth. It is well known as a serious pest to tomato crops in Europe, Africa, Asia, South and Central America.
According to the minister, the plight of Nigerian farmers is a source of concern to the Federal Government, hence the promotion of agriculture across the nation to ensure food security.
“The Federal Government is targeting  five million jobs in the agriculture sector, which will engage women, youths and vulnerable, with the aim of integrating them into the country’s economy,” the minister said.
He noted that in 2020, over 1.1 million peasant farmers benefited from the initiative in all the 36 states and the FCT, adding that more people were expected to benefit under the second phase in 2021.
The minister said that the Federal Government, in partnership with the state governments, would employ one million youths to serve as village extension agents, explaining that Gombe State was host to eight of the 234 paddy aggregation centres nationwide.
The minister disclosed further that the Federal Government had directed the release of 5,000 metric tons of maize to the strategic food reserves in the country.
Responding, Yahaya said that 75 per cent of Gombe people were farmers and thus the state needed urgent support to improve their livelihoods, while citing the Wawa-Zange  grazing reserve  in the state, as the largest in West Africa which can be utilised for various agricultural activities.
The governor commended the Federal Government for its initiative of creating five million jobs in the agricultural sector, stating the state government readiness to partner with the Federal Government. (NAN)
Economy/Business , Food Security

FG empowers 100 poultry farmers in Abia

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By Leonard Okachie
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has distributed galvanised battery cages, point-of -lay birds and feeds to 100 small holder poultry farmers in Abia.
The items were distributed to the farmers in Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, during a brief ceremony in Umuahia on Friday.
Each of the farmers was given a galvanised battery cage, 35 birds and four bags of  feed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was initiated and attracted by Rep. Sam Onuigbo, to his constituency.
In his remarks, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alh. Muhammed Nanono said that the poultry industry was overwhelmed by the demands in the market.
Nanono, who was represented by the ministry’s Regional Director, Mr Felix Kehis, urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity.
The minister commended the lawmaker for initiating and attracting such a laudable project to his constituency.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Director in the ministry, Mr Victor Ihediwa thanked the Federal Government for bringing succour to people of the state through the programme.
Ihediwa said there was an urgent need to diversify the economy and build food security measures, considering the current economic situation in the nation.
Also, Onuigbo said that essence of training and empowering his constituents was to enable them take advantage of the huge opportunities the  industry offered.
Onuigbo, who was represented by Mr Loveday Okwuonu, urged the  beneficiaries to utilise the knowledge and resources provided to gainfully engage themselves, as well as be employers of labour.
“We are not just empowering you to disappear, but I will look forward to positive feedbacks on your journey,” he said.
In an interview with NAN, a beneficiary, Miss Joy Ezebuiro, expressed gratitude, saying “I’m excited because this an opportunity for me to start off a business that will yield income.” (NAN)
Economy/Business , Food Security

Farmers urge FG to sustain maize importation ban

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By Bukola Adewumi

Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) has urged the Federal Government not to lift the ban on maize importation due to poultry farmers complaint over increase in price of feeds.

The President, MAAN, Bello Abubakar, made the appeal while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the importation of maize grains at this crucial period would serve as disincentive to maize production, maize farmers and food chain system in the country.

Abubakar said that the agitation of Poultry Association of Nigeria and others seeking maize importation would affect maize production in Nigeria.

“The Federal Government through the CBN has approved the release of 300,000 metric tonnes of maize grains from the Strategic Grains Reserve (SGR) to ameliorate the adverse effect of maize grain price hike and scarcity in the country.

“Consequently, it is needless, counter productive and unstainable to lift ban on maize grains importation.

“We believe that not acceding to maize importation will aid not just attaining food security as a nation but also in creating job opportunities and fostering economic development as well,” he said.

Abubakar said that the current high price of maize grains in the country was not permanent, adding that it was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted supply chains and increased the cost of inputs.

He also said that the hoarding of maize grains by some commodity agents has resulted in artificial scarcity and attendant price hike.

“This has effect on commercial consumers that use maize as a key input in their production processes, like poultry farmers and consumer goods manufacturers.

“It is worthy of note that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and increased the cost of inputs for many farming communities globally.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as part of her developmental functions, has been striving hard to increase national production volumes of maize.”

The National President, Maize Growers, Processors and Marketers’ Association of Nigeria, Edwin Uche, commended the efforts of government in sustaining the Anchor Borrowers programme, adding that it had led to increase in maize production across the country.

According to him, the association of maize farmers has built up capacity to produce enough maize for both local consumption and industrial use, adding that the association production target for 2021 stands at 25 million metric tonnes

Uche noted that any effort in importing maize would affect the livelihood of Nigerians who depends on income from maize farming.

“If not for the impact of covid-19 we will not be talking about high price of maize, or increase in the price of maize derivatives, as an association we are looking for ways to ameliorate these issues.

“In the next 3 months the price of maize will drop, we are also working to curb the hoarding of maize which has made it difficult for people to access maize and causing unnecessary scarcity.” (NAN)

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