By Leonard Okachie

Mrs Karima Babangida, a Director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), has said that Nigeria has the potential to produce more than 40 metric tonnes per hectare (mt/ha).

Babangida said this on Thursday at a workshop on cassava production, held at the National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, near Umuahia.

She described the country as the world’s leading producer of cassava with 10 mt/ha.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, tagged “Capacity building of farmers to address yield gap in cassava production,” was organised for youth and women farmers in the South-East.

Babangida, who was represented by the South-East Regional Director of FMARD, Mr Felix Kehis, said there was need for farmers to intensify efforts to improve productivity.

According to her, increased productivity would attract more people and benefits to cassava production.

“Nigeria is the world’s leading producer of Cassava, in spite its low yield of 10mt/ha, compared to other countries such as Thailand.”

“However, the country has the potential of having good varieties that could give more than 40mt/ha,” she said.
Babangida said that the workshop was to ensure that the yield gap in cassava production was bridged.

She said the target could be achieved through the dissemination and adoption of improved technologies and innovation by smallholder farmers.

She said that the ministry would continue to support relevant activities of cassava value chain to utilise and produce improved cassava planting materials.

In a remark, the Abia State Director of FMARD, Mr Victor Ihediwa, said the ministry would continue to support relevant activities of cassava value chain.

Ihediwa urged the participants to put all they learnt into use toward achieving the national policy on food security.

In an address of welcome, the Executive Director, NRCRI, Prof. Ukpabi Joseph-Ukpabi, said that FMARD was working towards achieving food and nutrition security in the country through its various activities.

Joseph-Ukpabi, represented by Dr Namdi Eke-Okoro, urged participants to disseminate every knowledge they acquired at the workshop to other farmers.

A participant, Mrs Chinyere Agbai, expressed gratitude to the organisers, saying that the workshop had further enriched her knowledge in cassava farming. (NAN)

By Doris Esa

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono, on Thursday inaugurated the 5^th Council of Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, expressing confidence it could deliver on its mandate.

Nanono, at the ceremony in Abuja noted that the core function of the institute was to offer leadership in the governance of the affairs of the institute

“I have no iota of doubt that this council, filled with an array of accomplished Animal Scientists of various professional disciplines will fulfill this core function.

“I am particularly happy that the institute since its inception in 2007, it has proved its mettle in the fight to engender national self-sufficiency in safe animal protein intake through appropriate regulations of the livestock industry.”

The minister said that the regulations were indeed potent in curbing quackery and promoting safety of animal products and trade competitiveness.

“However, there is still a lot of ground to be covered if the institute must fully deliver on its mandate and remain relevant as a key regulatory body in the livestock subsector.

“We must forge ahead without losing track of the achievement of the past.

“The institute must not shy away from playing a deserved lead role in proffering the needed solution to the current burning issue of incessant conflicts between herders and sedentary farming communities in Nigeria.’’

According to him, land resource is indeed scarce and not expandable but science has proven that we can generate all we need with renewable agricultural strategies for both crop and livestock production from the available land resource without any form of conflict.

“I strongly call on the institute to come up with scientific and practicable models that the government can adopt to finally lay to rest this front burning problem.

“The nation needs to quickly transit from this conflict era to becoming a net exporter of premium beef, emulating and surpassing the enviable achievements of countries like Uruguay and others.

“Uruguay has metamorphosed over the recent years into a leading exporter of premium beef to the EU, U.S. and even the Chinese markets.

“It took Uruguay years of branding, food safety and quality reforms as well as investment to get to that enviable market leadership. It will take us nothing less,’’ he said.

Nanono said that the ministry had handed over the National Livestock Training Centre to the institute.

“I am confident that you will put the facility to efficient use not only in training but also in the establishment of model units for livestock production that will impact the economy through improved livestock productivity,’’ he said.

Earlier, President of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Prof. Baba Abubakar, thanked the minister for his support to the institution.

Abubakar also appreciated the hard work, passion and dedication of the institute’s founding fathers and mothers adding that “our best is yet to come, God willing’’.

“There are two issues that I would like to flag with the minister; one is with regards to the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) which was recently launched by the Federal Government.

“I dare say that if there is any organisation that can play a major role in the implementation of this programme, it is certainly NIAS.

“This is not far-fetched as we have collection of the requisite technical expertise in virtually all disciplines of animal husbandry to effectively facilitate the implementation of this plan,’’ he said.

He called for the establishment of additional animal husbandry research institutes.

According to him, if we are to compete favorably with the sub-regional, regional or global livestock space, then we need to do the needful by establishing additional livestock research institutes in the country. (NAN)

By Shedrack Frank

Bayelsa Government has enacted a law prohibiting open grazing of livestock in the state.

Gov. Douye Diri assented to the Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law 2021 on Wednesday at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Yenagoa.

He said the essence of the law was to ensure harmonious living between cattle dealers and other inhabitants of the state and to forestall violent clashes being experienced in other parts of the country.

His words: “Bayelsa welcomes all and sundry to eke out a living legitimately. The people of Bayelsa want to have a mutual and harmonious relationship with non-natives and natives.

“The essence of the law is to avert and forestall any clash between herdsmen, farmers, natives and non-natives as experienced in some states,” he said.

The law, according to the governor, stipulates that any herdsman found with arms, whether licensed or not, should be arrested.

He said that the law established a livestock management committee to regulate livestock activities in the state.
Members of the committee include the Commissioner for Agriculture, security agencies and youths.

“From the commencement of the law, no person shall breed, rear or trade in livestock in the state in any other place as may be designated by the committee and approved by the state government.

“The law prohibits movement of cattle on foot from other parts of the country into the state, inspection of livestock and certification by veterinary doctors at entry point into the state among others,” he said.

Diri said that by assenting to the law, any person found engaging in open grazing of livestock on foot commits an offence and would be arrested and prosecuted with the livestock impounded.

The governor also signed into law the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2021.

He explained that the law was to prevent certain harmful practices against women and children.

He said with its enactment, Bayelsa has domesticated the Federal law, which had been in existence.

In his remarks, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, while presenting the bills for the governor’s assent, said the livestock regulation bill was to prevent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

Also giving an insight into the VAPP Bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Tare Porri, the Speaker said the aim was to eliminate violence against women and to also ensure speedy dispensation of justice. (NAN)

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)