By Nicholas Obisike

Enugu State Graduate Farmers (ESGF) on Wednesday trained 300 farmers on modern best practices in rice production, processing and marketing in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one day training organised at the Enugu Sports Club Hall was themed: “From Rice Production to Wealth Creation.”

In his remarks, Mr Patrick Mbah who doubled as the President of ESGF and the National Vice Chairman of Fish Production in South East, said the training was timely and would boost rice productivity.

Mbah said the training was purely for rice farmers on grain production to ensure bumper harvest.

“We also have farmers that are into processing and marketing because we want to avoid the mistakes of the past where we have low productivity.

“This training will help the farmers to produce quality rice that one can consume and as well maximise profit,” he said.

He said that the ESGF had over 150 corporatives and each corporative accommodated 15 to 20 youths that had been engaged in rice production.

Mbah noted that a similar training had been organised for fish and poultry farmers in the state.

“We will keep organising this kind of training for our members from time to time and I believe that those present will educate others,” he said.

A resource person at the event, Prof. Happiness Oselebe, said that agriculture provide high level of employment in the country.

Oselebe said that rice farming had techniques and procedures that must be observed to ensure higher productivity.

Oselebe who is a lecturer in the Department of Crop Production and Landscape Management at Ebonyi State University said that rice remains a marketable product globally.

She urged the rice farmers to always go for improved variety and consider climate and farmland while planning for farming.

“The variety of seed go with each farmland, some seeds can do well in swampy areas, while some do better upland.

“Best method of rice farming is the mechanised method and ensure you monitor the farmland right from the day of planting till the day of harvest,” she said.

Oselebe listed some major problems in rice farming to include improper planning, low management and skills to rice farming, among others.

Mr Tony Mouneke, AAPIL Consultant and rice expert in the state, urged farmers to always barricade their farmland in order to protect the rice seeds from rain.

“Make a good choice and manage the farm well by weeding, protecting it against rodents, pests and other things.

“Ensure you change seed after three years of harvest because after three years you start seeing what we call, ”genetic segregation,” Mouneke said.

He advised the farmers to apply fertiliser be it organic or inorganic properly according to directive by rice farm experts.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Gregory Obiakosa, said the training had impacted a lot on the farmers.

“This training was organised due to the terrible experience we had in the past because of ignorance in rice farming.

“After this training, I believe that things will change for good and there will be baskets of food in the country, ” he said.

A participant, Mrs Mabel Edeh from Ebonyi, said the training had been the best thing that had happened to rice farmers in the state.

Edeh said the training would go a long way in correcting the wrongs committed by most rice farmers in the past.

“It will be nice for government to organise this kind of training for farmers,” she said. (NAN)

By Ikenna Uwadileke

The Fertiliser Producers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) has signed a second phase of agreement with Morocco’s state-owned phosphate and fertiliser group, OCP.

A statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by FEPSAN President, Mr Thomas Etuh, said that the agreement would sustain the gains recorded in agricultural productivity.

Etuh said that the agreement was signed by Gov. Muhammed Abubakar of Jigawa who is the Chairman, Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) and Mr Mustafa Terrab, Chairman of OCP.

He stated that the agreement was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production.

Etuh said the agreement, which took the existing one signed in Dec. 2016 a step higher, would deepen the cooperation between the two organisations in technical support for blending operations.

He said that it would also deepen cooperation in agronomic assistance for enhanced fertiliser application and agricultural productivity.

“The agreement aims to enhance earlier arrangement that has enabled Nigerian farmers access high-quality fertiliser at affordable prices.

“It will also improve the agriculture industry by increasing the volume of raw material supplied to Nigerian blenders under the aegis of FEPSAN.

“This new agreement will further include the provision of technical support by the OCP to the Nigerian fertiliser producers, especially given the expected increased appetite of the market for locally blended NPK fertilisers.

“Unlike the initial agreement signed in 2016 and structured for a three-year life span, the new agreement shall be on a continuous basis.

“The first phase of the agreement was signed during King Mohammed VI’s visit to Nigeria and was pivotal to the commencement of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative that started with eight blending plants in 2016.

“Today, that number has increased to 42 accredited plants in different parts of the country,” Etuh said.

He said that the first phase of the agreement helped to strengthen the private sector to stand on its own during the initial three-year period and would now give way to a new private sector-led initiative.

Etuh commended President Buhari for his initiative to revive moribund fertiliser blending plants in Nigeria for the benefit of Nigerian farmers and the national economy.

He also commended OCP Morocco for its support to Nigeria’s agricultural policy initiatives.

According to Etuh, the new agreement highlights the importance of cooperation among African countries towards the growth and development of the continent.

The FEPSAN president was optimistic that the new agreement would enable Nigerian blenders of NPK fertilizer to have access to improved supply of di-ammonium sulphate chemicals, critical for NPK fertiliser production.

He emphasised that with new blenders coming on stream, the country would be on the path of improved fertiliser market.

Etuh expressed belief that Nigerian farmers and players in the agricultural value chain would soon begin to reap the benefits of the agreement in job creation and improved gross domestic product for the country. (NAN)

By Rita Iliya
PZ Cussons Foundation, a Non-Profit Organisation, on Tuesday donated a shea butter processing facility to a Alubarika Women Cooperative Group in Fazhi community in Edati Local Government Areas of Niger state.

Mrs Jacqueline Ezeokwelume, Executive Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, said at the inauguration of the center that the facility would boost agriculture production in the state.

She said the ultimate objective of the foundation is the total support for agriculture and agro-allied value chain projects is capable of contributing to food security, enhancing smallholder farmers and producers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc is a commercial enterprise dealing with commodities to leading marketing company in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya that manufacture and distribute a range of consumers and durable goods.

Ezeokwelume, who was represented by Mr Peter Ozondu, said the project would empower and address some of the economic challenges faced by women in the area, state and the country at large.

“The new facility is to upgrade their traditional method of production and make them internationally competitive, it will also bring together local processors under one umbrella and organise them into a more formal structure as enterprise.

“The project is an opportunity to give back to the society and we are committed to executing more sustainable projects that will be beneficial to the country,” she said.

Ezeokwelume called on others to emulate the same gesture by harnessing abundant human and natural resources to add value to the products.

In his address, Mohammed Kontagora, President, National Shea Product Association of Nigeria (NSPAN), said that the project was to empower and uplift the economic activities of women at the rural level.

He described women as committed and highly enterprising when given the opportunity to showcase their abilities and promised to support women cooperative groups to meet international standard.

“The project will also serve as an intervention to empower women economically and give individuals greater freedom of choice and action.

“The Shea butter being processed by Fazhi women have been graded as the best and we like their level of commitment,” he said.

Kontagora, however, urged the women and the community to take ownership of the project to add value to their products and warned against felling of economy trees.

In his remarks, Mr Abraham Yisa, a community leader, commended the Board of Trustee of the Foundation for siting the project in the State.

He said it will support government’s effort in diversifying the economy of the State by enhancing productivity in agro allied endeavours at rural levels.

“This project will serve as employment opportunity to women and help them expand their market,” he said.

NAN reports that the facility consists of raw material store, structures for drying, roasting, blending, finished goods store, borehole and other equipment and machineries.

The News Agency  of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IWD is annually celebrated on March 8 around the world.

It has “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World”as its theme for 2021.

Ndanusa said that the provision of agricultural inputs would reduce workload through the use of appropriate technologies.

By Muhammad Lawal

The Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Kebbi, Alhaji Muhammed Sahabi-Augie on Sunday said the total rice output produced annually in the state has reached over four million tonnes.

Sahabi-Augie told some students on excursion at the Zauro Rice Pyramid near Birnin Kebbi, that the rise in production was as a result of massive support of the Federal Government and the state Governor, Atiku Bagudu.

He noted that before the intervention, the highest rice output was 700 metric tonnes.

The chairman said that the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) has greatly helped farmers in the state and across the country.

He said: “Rice production output had increased from 700 metric tonnes to over four million metric tonnes per annum in the state.

“Before now, more than 80 per cent of the rice we consume in Nigeria was imported from China, Thailand and other countries, despite the fact that we have enough land and enough farmers to produce rice internally for our consumption.

“This is the kind of setback our economy went through.

“Agriculture used to be the bedrock of our economy in Nigeria, unfortunately, previous governments didn’t have the political will like what we are witnessing in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.”

He also hailed Gov. Bagudu for being in the forefront of supporting farmers to overcome their challenges.

“We told him the challenges of fertilisers and other inputs to produce rice. He was devastated about our challenges and promised to give us all the necessary support.

“Most of the farmers involved are rural farmers who don’t have income, because rice farming is capital intensive.

“You need fertiliser, water pumping machines, insecticides and other agro chemicals for rice farming”.

Sahabi-Augie recalled that the Anchor Borrowers Programme was flagged off by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 17, 2015 in Zauro, during which about 77,000 farmers in the state benefited.

“All the farmers were given inputs such as fertiliser, water pumps, agro chemical and seeds, as well as fuel for their water pumping machines.

“Before the anchor borrowers programme, our output in Kebbi state was just about 700 metric tons, but in the first year of implementing the programme, we recorded 1.4 million metric tons in the state.

“From that time on, our yields have been rising up the time that we are proudly producing four million metric tons per annum”. (NAN)

By Ikenna Uwadileke.

Solidaridad, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) on Saturday, says it will provide technical support to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in developing Nigeria’s oil palm sector.

Solidaridad made the pledge in a statement issued by its Programme Officer – Communication Outreach and Network, Mr Pita Ochai.

The statement quoted Solidaridad’s Senior Climate Specialist, Africa and Country Technical Lead in Nigeria, Dr Samuel Ogallah, as “expressing optimism that the NGO’s collaboration with the ministry would contribute significantly to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria’’.

According to it, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Solidaridad and the ministry on March 4, in Enugu, aligned with the organisation’s aim to support Nigeria’s capacity-building.

The statement noted that the efforts would also ensure that Nigeria regained its leading role in the global production of oil palm.

It emphasised that the support would guarantee Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in agriculture and divestment of the economy from dependency on crude oil.

“With this, the two parties will collaborate based on mutual goals, interests, competency, expertise, and resources in the agricultural sector.

“The collaboration will also  improve the productivity of the agricultural sector and ensure that it contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product of the country.

“Solidaridad has immense expertise in agriculture, guided by over 50 years of experience working across various supply chains.

“Nigeria will benefit from Solidaridad’s expertise in her effort to transform the agricultural sector,’’ the statement elucidated.

While describing the MoU as a welcome development, it pointed out that it would propel the efforts of Solidaridad West Africa and FMARD toward the achievement of food sufficiency and export for the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Solidaridad’s footprints in Nigeria spans more than a decade and has largely been on improving oil palm, cocoa and horticulture.

Presently, Solidaridad is implementing the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS) in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, and Kogi states, while its partner, IDH, is implementing NISCOPS in Edo and Ondo.

According to the statement, NISCOPS is improving the production of oil palm through best management and sustainable land-use practices and climate-smart agriculture.

“The programme is aimed at improving the income and livelihoods of smallholder oil palm farmers in the project implementing states and the national food security at large.

“Additionally, Solidaridad is implementing the horticultural programme, the Sustainable Development Goal Project 1, dubbed “Transforming Nigeria’s Vegetable Markets” in Kano and Kaduna,’’ it added.

The two programmes are funded by the Government of Netherlands. (NAN)

By Bukola Adewumi

The National Potato Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NAPOGPMAN) called on the Federal Government to re-introduce the produce marketing boards to reduce some challenges faced by farmers.

Mrs Christie Sunkur, the new National President of the association, made the call on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the newly elected executive members after 13 years which the association has been without leadership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that produce marketing boards were established by government during the first republic to regulate quality of some farm produce, fix their prices and sell them locally or export.

There were different boards for each of the produce like cocoa marketing board, rubber marketing board, etc.
Sunkur said the marketing board was to regulate prices of goods and a place where produce could be taken to get buyers.

“It is a board where farmers’ products are taken to in order to market outside the country and even within the country. The marketing board also regulates the activities of pests and insects.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to bring up a legislation that will help farmers through the creation of the marketing board which is very possible to be done with their will power.

“We also want the government to create agric centres all over the country where all the farmers will belong,’’ she said.

The president described the last election as a milestone for the association, saying that the association had not achieved anything in the past 13 years.

“ Both the potato farmers and processors are happy, potato marketers are happy because they have an umbrella body to channel their issues to.

“ We are calling on development partners, individual and the Federal Government to sensitise and help our farmers with inputs to move the association forward.

According to her, potato is very strategic in every household in Nigeria as potato has helped to bridge food insecurity gap.

Sunkur said that one could make vegetable soup with the leaves which also have so many health benefits.

“With the strike by the various unions, most of our members have suffered various losses as potato is perishable.

“We thank God there was a meeting organised by the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and Mr Femi Fani-Kayode to resolve the matter with the union and yesterday the strike was called off.

“We are calling on the government to help us find ways that we can preserve potatoes just as we preserve rice, corn and other food items.

“We will want to apply to research centre in Umudike in Abia that has the mandate for tuber research to help make research on how to preserve potato so that we can keep it for six to one year’’.

Mr Paul Ojoku, one of the elected members of the association, expressed his happiness and promised to work to see that the association is moved forward.

NAN reports that 14 members were elected and inaugurated from the six geographical zones of the association

By Bukola Adewumi

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), says various research works have been put to use in farms but no off-takers to boost food security.

Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary of the ARCN, made this known on Wednesday In Abuja while presenting his Scorecard to Agriculture Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN).

Sharubutu said off-takers were yet to buy those research works and it is the major problem research institutes are facing.

“There is a lot of competition between quick yielding trade and agriculture unless we begin to look at agriculture as short and long term, we will never be able to get it right.”

According to him, the government released fund to the Cocoa Research Institute (CRIN) to develop new varieties of the crop.

“When we went to brief the minister over the issue of cocoa research, his first challenge to us there is some of the best breeders we have in this country are Yoruba.

“Cocoa is a Yoruba crop, how come the best brains are now allowing the best product to be taken over by Ivory Coast.

“Just last week, the Executive Director of Cocoa Research Institute was given a grant to develop Cocoa, and that was out of the observation that was raised,” he said.

For livestock, the ARCN boss said National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) has been making efforts to improve the milk and meat output of cattle, but it has been faced with the challenge of getting the animals in one place.

“We are trying to improve on the milk production. The problem is that NAPRI attempted to do artificial insemination in order to improve the genetic material of our breeds in order to have higher yielding milk as well as high-yielding meat.

“What is the problem? Artificial insemination has to do with getting the animals to stay in one place because you cannot artificially inseminate an animal that is hungry.

“So, you put them in one place, you flush them, when they come on heat, you inseminate them.

“We have keyed into the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP), and this is the best way to go. Ban grazing in terms of moving from one place to the other, and locate them (livestocks),” he explained.

He said a proposal has been sent to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to approve the establishment of internship in all the colleges to serve as training centre for Agriculture graduates.

“I have under my purview 11 colleges of Agriculture, and let us assume that these colleges are producing 20 HND holders, so we’re going to have 220, now you have 220 farmers every year in this country, it is going to impact seriously.

“But the total number of Colleges of Agriculture we have in this country is 52 so if each of them produce 20 HND holders, what are we doing with this 20?

“By our own analysis, we have found out that less than 30 per cent of them go into agriculture. We have written a proposal, right now the proposal is on the table of the Minister.

“We create entrepreneurship centres in all our colleges of agriculture, that will serve as internship, let the graduates of agriculture go there and learn the trade

“So, the proposal is there, we are trying to see how we would do in order to encourage people to go into Agriculture, and internship is the best method for us,” he added.

By Mustapha Yauri

The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, is to train 75,000 agricultural extension agents on best agricultural practices to enhance food production in Nigeria.

Prof. Emmanuel Ikani, Executive Director, NAERLS told newsmen on Wednesday in Zaria that already, 12,600 agricultural extension agents had been trained by the institute under its e-extension training programme.

According to Ikani, the e-extension training programme was introduced following security challenges in parts of the country and the COVID-19 pandemic.

He explained that the institute had to leverage on the ICT to reach agricultural extension agents and farmers, adding that the virtual training would help to reach millions of farmers using mobile phones.

Ikani said NAERLS would use its offices in the six geopolitical zones to educate farmers, using local languages, to transit to modern agriculture.

He stressed that the mandate of the institute was to provide information on best agricultural practices to boost farmers’ production and productivity.

The director added that the information would help processors and agro allied industries.

“I want to recalibrate the attitude of the farmers to begin to see agriculture as a clean business where people of integrity can go into,” he added. (NAN)