By Bukola Olaifa

Sen. Saliu Mustapha, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services, and Rural Development, has affirmed the committee’s commitment to expeditiously passing the Agricultural Extension Services Delivery Revitalisation Bill.

Mustapha made this assurance during a one-day technical session held in Abuja on Wednesday, organised by the Women Farmers Advancement Network and country representatives (WOFAN-ICON2) project.

The proposed bill aims to facilitate the effective implementation of a national agricultural extension policy and strategy, ensuring sustainable agricultural extension services in the country.

Additionally, it seeks to foster human resource development, career progression, and professionalism in agricultural extension, encouraging increased participation and investment in agriculture, especially by women and youth.

While acknowledging the bill’s ongoing progress, Mustapha emphasised the importance of incorporating digital agriculture essential services, aligning with global advancements in agricultural extension.

He also highlighted the necessity of enriching the draft bill by considering experiences from other jurisdictions for wider applicability and long-term effectiveness.

Mustapha expressed his intent to collaborate with fellow National Assembly members to garner the necessary attention and broaden the scope of the bill.

He emphasised the potential impact on farmers’ lives, particularly in rural areas, stating that a well-functioning agricultural sector could significantly alleviate the country’s existing challenges, reducing them by 70 to 80 per cent.

Dr Salamatu Garba, Founder of WOFAN-ICON2, explained that the objective behind promoting the bill was to enhance the agricultural sector’s growth.

“If passed, it would signify the federal government’s commitment to allocating a specific percentage of resources to agriculture, thereby boosting the backbone of the economy”.

Garba highlighted the potential consequences of passing the bill, envisioning increased food production in Nigeria and a subsequent reduction in food prices.

She stressed the need to address the deficiencies in Nigeria’s agricultural extension system, expressing optimism that the bill would propel positive changes.

Prof. Sani Miko, Chairman, WOFAN Technical Advisory Board on Policy Change and Advisory Services, elucidated on the bill’s benefits for youths and women.

He emphasised its role in promoting a robust information and communication and knowledge management system for agricultural extension services. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Mark Longyen/Isaac Aregbesola

By Felicia Imohimi
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands says it has provided 10 solar powered irrigation pumps to farmers in Kano, Ogun, Kaduna and Oyo States. through its HortiNigeria project.

The HortiNigeria Programme Director, Mr Mohammed Idris, said this on Saturday in Abuja at the commemoration of the International Clean Energy Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Clean Energy Day is commemorated annually on Jan. 26.

The day was declared by the General Assembly (Resolution A/77/327) as a call to raise awareness and mobilise action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.

Idris said the eco-friendly technology is not only a testament to HortiNigeria’s commitment to environmental stewardship but also a practical solution to two critical challenges in agriculture:

The challenges according to him are limited water access and the rising costs of fuel for irrigation.

The HortiNigeria programme which span from 2021 to 2025 is implemented in collaboration with the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC).

The other partners in the programme are East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, and Wageningen University among others.

Idris said the project was dedicated to pioneering sustainable solutions for Nigerian agriculture.

He said that since 2021, the Dutch-funded initiative had been a cornerstone in fostering a sustainable and inclusive horticulture sector.

According to him, it has also contributed to enhancing food and nutrition security across 10 local government areas in the four benefiting states.

“With focus on cabbage, cucumber, okro, tomatoes, pepper, carrots, watermelon, sweetcorn value chains, the programme has distributed 10 high-capacity solar irrigation pumps and educated over 50,000 farmers in sustainable practices.

“They have not only streamlined agricultural productivity but significantly reduced the carbon footprint of farming activities.

“As the programme progresses we plan to expand the initiative and called on the federal, state, and local governments.

“We want them to join in promoting renewable energy for a sustainable agricultural future,” a beneficiary, Kubura Ali, from Garko Local Government Area in Kano, said.

Also, Ifeoluwa Oyeyemi, a HortiNigeria Business Champion and Agripreneur from Ibadan, said the pumps had brought reliable energy, transformed fieldwork and ability to scale innovations to other farmers in the community.

Prof. Isaac Aiyelaagbe, from Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), identified the introduction of solar-powered irrigation as a game-changer, shaping the student-community’s farming practices and educational curriculum towards environmental sustainability. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Uche Anunne

By Felicia Imohimi

The Global Shea Alliance (GSA), a non-governmental organisation, has expressed its unwavering commitment to tackling key challenges hindering the shea industry’s growth.

Mamatou Djaffo, President of GSA, delivered this promise during the launch of the highly anticipated 2024 Shea Conference held in Abuja on Thursday, under the theme “Bridging the Gap.”

Djaffo emphasised the GSA’s mission to advocate for sustainability, uphold quality practices, and set standards for shea-based food and cosmetic products.

The conference theme, “Bridging the Gap,” underscores the urgent need to align the industry’s visionary goals with practical actions to address pressing issues.

“Over a decade ago, the GSA initiated structures to empower women in the industry, and we have made significant strides by refining our processes based on feedback from shea beneficiaries,” Djaffo stated.

“The theme reflects our dedication to overcoming challenges, fostering innovation, promoting collaboration, and empowering women across the shea value chain.”

The conference discussions will spotlight crucial topics such as parkland management, resource conservation, and women’s economic empowerment to unlock the full potential within the shea value chain.

Djaffo outlined the event’s objective to bring together key stakeholders, identify barriers to sustainability, and showcase successful initiatives that bridge the gap between industry vision and reality.

Alhaji Mohammed Kontagora, President of the National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN), echoed the conference theme’s resonance with the country’s shea industry goals.

He emphasised the sector’s potential not only as a source of natural products but also as a driver of economic growth, environmental conservation, and income equality.

Identifying barriers such as insufficient investment, untapped market opportunities, weak policy frameworks, insecurity, and social inequalities, Kontagora stressed the need for collaborative efforts to find practical solutions.

He assured the association’s commitment to fostering collaboration, dialogue, and tangible actions for a sustainable future in the Nigerian shea industry.

“Let us seize this moment to pave the way for a future where the Nigerian Shea industry thrives sustainably, leaving a positive impact on our collective prosperity and the environment we cherish,” Kontagora concluded. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Alex Enebeli

The Federal and Enugu State Governments have pledged to initiate policies to support large scale cashew production in the country.

The pledge was made in their separate speeches during the 2024 National Cashew Day and Cashew Season Flag Off ceremony, organised by the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) in Enugu.

The theme of the event is “Transforming Nigeria Cashew Industry through Technology, Innovation and Inclusive Policies”.

In a speech, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, described the programme as a significant step towards the growth and prosperity of the cashew industry.

Kyari, represented by the ministry’s Deputy Director (Tree Crops), Federal Department of Agriculture, Mr Usman Tukur, said that the cashew sector held immense potential to drive economic growth, enhance food security and promote sustainability.

According to him, the cashew value chain is among the crops being promoted by the ministry to enhance food security and promote economic growth.

”We have over the years carried out a number of activities that include the distribution of improved seeds and seedlings to cashew farmers free of charge and establishment of cashew cottage industries in some producing states.

“As a result, various direct and indirect jobs are being created along the crop value chain to improve farmers income and country’s foreign exchange earnings,” he said

Kyari further said that President Bola Tinubu’s government was committed to providing the necessary resources to stakeholders to achieve their goal of building a vibrant cashew industry that would improve the livelihood of farmers and stakeholders.

In her remarks, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Anite-Uzoka, said the ministry was working closely with other relevant government agencies and the organised private sector to create a robust cashew sector that delivers global competitive value-added products.

This, she said, they were doing to secure high profits for all actors through right programmes and activities aimed at enhancing the respective value chain, particularly value addition and product development.

Anite-Uzoka said the ministry had taken into account the need to create the right environment and platforms to spur investment across the cashew value chain.

She said that it would also create market linkages and provide technical support towards strengthening the domestic production and processing capacities.

Also speaking, Gov. Peter Mbah, represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, said that agriculture plays a very significant part in the planning of approaches in driving private sector investment.

Mbah said that the State Government had a clear thought on what it was doing, in respect of cashew production.

According to him, the government intends to reactivate several hundred hectares of existing cashew plantations in places like Oghe, Ezeagu and Oji River.

“We plan to continue to work closely with partners and stakeholders, like NCAN and its members, and we are confident that with shared commitment, cashew products can become a leading foreign exchange earner in Nigeria between four and five years,” Mbah said.

In a keynote address, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker, House of Representatives, represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Prince Adeniji Adeyemi, said that the house was committed to passing relevant laws that would promote cashew production in the country.

Earlier, NCAN President, Dr Ojo Ajanaku, said that NCAN members come together annually to discuss cashew and the way forward as Nigeria is privileged to produce cashew across the nation.

Ajanaku described NCAN as the private sector representative of the Nigeria cashew industry with the conglomeration of producers, processors, marketers and service providers.

”Nigeria was once the highest producer of cashew in the world but dropped from number one ranking to number six.

“The country that is leading today is Cote d’Ivoire. Before, Cote d’Ivoire produced less than 150,000 tonnes of cashew when Nigeria was producing over 800,000 tonnes.

“Today, Ivory coast is producing over one million tonnes, while Nigeria is producing 350,000 tonnes.

“I think we can do something better to change that scenario.

“There are lots of technologies and innovations today that can change the scenario and we believe it cannot be achieved without policies to back it up.

”A sector without a policy is like an orphan without a guide,” the NCAN president said.

Meanwhile, some cashew farmers have listed herders attacks, paucity of funds, poor storage facilities and the lack of technology as the major challenges facing large-scale production of cashew in the country.

A cashew farmer, Mrs Joy Ozo, said she abandoned her cashew plantation due to the incessant herders’ attacks in Enugu.

Ozo said, “We can’t go to our farms alone except in groups to avoid being killed by the rampaging armed herders.” (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Sam Oditah

By Bukola Adewumi

The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has successfully empowered 200 youths and women in Nasarawa State under its Home Grown Poultry Programme.

The initiative, aimed at boosting incomes and livelihoods, provided beneficiaries with essential poultry materials.

Executive Secretary of NALDA, Paul Ikonne, revealed that the scheme, conducted in collaboration with traditional leaders, targeted genuine grassroots farmers.

The event, which took place at the Emir’s Palace in Lafia, saw beneficiaries receiving startup packages including free feeds, cages, and birds.

Each recipient was equipped with a three-tier bird cage, 25 birds, and three bags of feed to sustain the poultry until maturity.

Prior to the distribution, NALDA’s team briefed local leaders, emphasising the project’s revolving nature, with sustainability tied to the commitment of the beneficiaries.

Ikonne stressed the importance of reducing chicken imports, highlighting NALDA’s commitment to expanding the poultry industry, reducing unemployment, and bolstering the national economy.

He urged beneficiaries to prioritise training and guidance for optimal poultry production.

Speaking on behalf of traditional leaders, Justice Sidi Muhammed (retired), Chairman of Nasarawa Council of Chiefs, expressed gratitude to NALDA for trusting the traditional institution in executing the project.

Muhammed emphasised the need for more interventions in the state, given its status as an agricultural hub.

Beneficiaries, such as Hajara Umar and Jamila Haruna, lauded the intervention, citing its positive impact on their poultry businesses.

Umar highlighted the significance of the support in mitigating high feed prices, while Haruna expressed gratitude for the opportunity to sell and restock, ensuring sustained business growth.

NALDA’s Home Grown Poultry Programme has already been implemented in FCT, Lagos State, and Nasarawa State, with plans for expansion to more states across the country in the near future. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Blessing Ibegbu

Some poultry farmers in Karu, Nasarawa State have decried the continuous hike in the cost of poultry feeds and appealed for urgent intervention by the government.

The farmers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Karu on Saturday, appealed to the state and the Federal Governments to intervene by partnering with the poultry feeds producers to reduce cost/

One of the farmers, Rosemary Samuel, also a distributor, said that the increase in poultry feeds and other inputs had affected the industry in diverse ways.

According to her, many farmers who cannot cope have closed their farms, while the workers disengaged from their jobs.

“Some of those that have lost their jobs are at the risk of indulging in crime to make ends meet,” she said.

Dr Sam Okwulu, a dealer in poultry feeds, urged the government to provide a conducive environment for agricultural business.

“The government should desist from policy somersault, which makes business planning and forecast frustrating.

“The government should have consistent and routine meetings with farmers to feel their pulse and provide inputs for feed production to make nutrition for birds less expensive.

“The government should make policies and come up with programme that will ensure a ready market for the products.

“There should be provisions for soft and non-interest loans for farmers and remove all bottlenecks to accessing government facilities,” he said.

Okwulu, also a veterinary doctor, said the tendency to circumvent was likely and would portend danger to the birds and consequently to the public.

He cautioned that malnutrition among the populace could ensue if the cost of feeds for poultry products continued.

Okwulu urged the Federal and State Governments to ensure security in every part of the nation as no one would operate in region threatened by bandits.

Another farmer, Abdullahi Aliyu, said that since hike in the price of poultry feeds in 2023, there had been low turn out in the purchase of chickens.

“It is very difficult for me to sell 10 chickens a day, before now, I usually sell between 20 to 30 birds (chickens) per day.

“I understand why there is low patronage. If we buy feeds at affordable price, then, we sell chickens at cheap rate also. But now, the opposite is the case,” Aliyu said.

Also, Eucharia Enyi, CEO, ‘Sino Farms stated that the rate at which chicken feeds are expensive called for urgent intervention.

Enyi said that feeds was the most important thing in poultry business as without feed there was no business.

She stated that over the years, prices of feeds always rise during Christmas and after the period, it would reduce but this time the price had doubled.

She noted with concerns how cost of fuel determined the price of commodities in the country, adding that cost of poultry feeds determined cost of chicken. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Isaac Aregbesola

By Olayinka Olawale
The Lagos State Government says it is committed to implement the five-year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap to achieve 40 per cent food self-sufficiency by 2025.

Ms Abisola Olusanya, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, stated this at the Lagos Food Systems Stakeholders’ Breakfast Meeting, on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the five-year Agricultural Food Systems Roadmap was launched in 2021 by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Olusanya said the state government would provide funds for agric service providers, improved rice paddy production and land bank collaboration with sister states.

“We will go live on eight projects which include, Central Logistics Hub, Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE), capacity building for horticulture stakeholders, full operations and capacity building for stakeholders in the Lagos Food Production Centres.

“Others are execution of state-wide intervention and Green Wall Initiative,” she said.

Olusanya listed others as the establishment of Agricultural Value Chains Entreprise Activation Programme, Agri-thon, Lagos Cares, Lagos Entrepreneurship Programme and the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme.

“The state government will also create the Lagos Agrinnovation Clusters, the Food Value Chains’ Destination, the Lagos Central Food Security System and Logistics Hub and the Middle Level Agro Product Hub.”

Olusanya said part of the roadmap was to increase production of rice paddy in order to meet with the growing rice consumption of the state.

The commissioner said the state government would increase the production of rice paddy by partnering with other sister states such as Niger and Kebbi states on land bank collaboration.

Olusanya listed the projects to be undertaken by the state government to include Lagos Rice Mill, the Central Logistics Hub, – the Red Meat Initiative, Lagos Feedlot System and Butchers’ Academy among others.

The commissioner said the ministry would set up the Lagos feedlot system, establishment of Butchers’ Academy, creation of Last mile meat Shop.
The state’s Head of Civil Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, said the state government was bringing back operation feed the nation by allowing the civil servants to participate in the agricultural sector.

Agoro said his mother, a retired civil servant, was also into agriculture produce, urging the civil servants in the state to engage in the agriculture.

In his remarks, Mr Mosopefolu George, the State Commissioner for Economy, Planning and Budget, said the state government has already increased its budget on agriculture.

George attributed the increase to the importance of food chain and agriculture system to the state.

He noted that the ministry had been doing well in the area of rice mills, food and logistics hub just to mention a few. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Bukola Adewumi

Dr Godwin Audu, the newly appointed Comptroller General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at simplifying the exportation process for Nigeria’s agro-products.

In a press conference held on Wednesday in Abuja, he expressed the agency’s commitment to aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration and the Minister of Agriculture’s strategic blueprint.

Audu, assumed leadership after the tenure of the pioneer Comptroller General, Dr Vincent Isegbe, concluded in December 2023.

Audu emphasised the pivotal role NAQS plays in supporting the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council’s efforts within the export environment.

He unveiled plans to enhance the export environment by expediting inspection and certification services, streamlining application processes, and implementing automation in quarantine procedures.

The ultimate goal, he stated, is to simplify the lives of agro-exporters and significantly reduce processing times for agricultural export documentation.

In addition to these initiatives, Audu highlighted the agency’s intention to optimise operations at interstate control stations, aiming to minimise delays in the transportation of agro commodities.

He pledged collaborative efforts with stakeholders to address and eliminate illegal operators causing bottlenecks on Federal highways.

Underlining the importance of maintaining discipline, order, and inclusiveness within NAQS, the Comptroller General assured the development of officers and the sustainability of equal opportunities for all personnel.

This strategic approach reflects NAQS’s dedication to ensuring a smoother and more efficient process for exporting Nigeria’s valuable agro-products, aligning with broader governmental agendas for economic development. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker and Chijioke Okoronkwo