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)

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)

By Simon Akoje

An Economist, Mr Moses Igbrude, has urged the Federal Government to subsidise more agricultural  inputs to boost food output and curb rise in inflation rate.

Igbrude, who is the Chief Executive Officer of  Ogu investment, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday  that  subsidising the cost of fertilisers and crops seedlings would ensure a better harvest.

He added that the Federal Government should  encourage more states to embrace mechanised  agriculture.

“If more states begin to adopt more modern agricultural approach they will grow based on their food comparative advantages.

“This is as  mechanised agricultural practice is the panacea to meet our food security and curb  importation,” he said.

According to him, the  Federal Government should continue to support the real sector of the economy in order to boost productivity and drive down inflation.

He also suggested that  monitory authorities should have a single exchange rate for the economy.

“ The current multiple exchange rate is fuelling inflation spikes  because of our import driven nature.

“ The rate gives room for speculators to thrive and it is quite inimical to investors to have confidence in the economy,” he said.

NAN reports that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) , which measures inflation , increased by 15.75 per cent  (year-on-year) in December 2020.

In its monthly report released on Friday, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said that the increase was 0.86 per cent points higher than the rate recorded in November 2020 at 14.89 per cent.

The urban inflation also increased in December 2020 by 16.33 per cent (year-on-year) in December 2020 from 15.47 per cent recorded in November 2020,while the rural inflation rate increased by 15.20 per cent in December 2020. (NAN)

By Olubukola Aiyedogbon

The Kwara Governor, Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has launched a 10-year Agricultural Transformation Plan, designed to make Kwara food sufficient  by 2030.

“The essence of this document is to ensure food security, attract investments to the sector, create jobs, reduce poverty, and create inclusive growth by giving equal opportunities for women and girls to also benefit from everything that this plan has to offer.

“This week is one of the most exciting weeks, because I met the French Ambassador to Nigeria who has agreed to send a team to Kwara state. He is particularly interested in the agricultural sector, most especially the livestock sector”, he said at the inauguration  in Ilorin.

AbdulRazaq said that the plan was hinged on six pillars: crop production, finance, livestock, access to market, value chain, and cross-cutting programmes, in addition to detailed monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, to constantly interrogate the journey, while attention is also paid to sustainability.

The Governor said: “the document comes with measurable milestones to ensure faithful implementations by all the stakeholders.

“It is a 10-year plan which is based on verifiable data gathered from field research and extensive consultations with various stakeholders and experts in the sector.

“The plan spells out the opportunities and challenges in the agricultural sector in the state, and identifies the six pillars that are critical to the success of the plan”.

The Governor also said that he was working on an agreement with the Lagos state government on food production, adding that Kwara will invest N2bn in the agricultural sector, in partnership with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

“This will be anchored by a department at Kwara State University, Malette, which will be at Ilesha Baruba. This administration will conclude the construction of the campus.

“The campus has extensive land which I have visited, so NEPAD is investing in Kwara. I am also the chairman of the programme’s steering committee. It will make Kwara’s agriculture programme a huge success.

“I thank all the stakeholders, our partners and our team, for the success of this work. However, the most challenging part is ensuring successful implementation of the plan to make Kwara food sufficient by 2030.

“This is achievable if everyone plays their part. As an administration, we will mobilise every resource in support of this dream”, AbdulRazaq said.

Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Salihu noted that the state administration was making efforts to improve rural road infrastructure, for easy movement of farm produce.

“This plan, if well implemented, will improve the state’s internally generated revenue, which is very important. With the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), about 700kms will be taken care of and the agricultural transformation plan will be a plus to us all in the state”, he said.

The Technical Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, AbdulQowiy Olododo, explained that the plan was unique and comprehensive, as it captured both the enormous potentials in the sector as well as the actionable steps needed to harness such potentials and turn them into tangible benefits for all.

“In line with the vision of the Governor, this transformation plan has been designed to deliver unending benefits to the people of Kwara.

“The benefits include, but are not limited to, massive decent job creation for women and youths, improved nutrition, availability and affordability of quality food, rural infrastructure development, improved standard of living and economic growth”, he said.

The state Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Muhammad Aboki, commended the AbdulRazaq-led administration for consulting and involving farmers in the plan and for developing the sector to attain food security.

“The governor’s words can be taken to the bank. We have absolute confidence in your leadership because of what you have demonstrated, not only in agriculture but in all spheres of economy in the state.

“All farmers in Kwara are following the trend of events and are very happy with your laudable programmes and projects”, the chairman said. (NAN)

By Bukola Adewumi
The Nigeria Agribusiness Register (NAR) said it would partner National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) to trade shea butter as commodity exchange for the Nation’s economic benefit.

Its founder, Mr Roland Oroh, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Friday in Abuja while discussing the benefits of trading of agricultural products internationally.

Oroh said shea nut kernel was one of the commodities that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recommended to be included as tradable commodity in Nigeria commodity exchanges.

He said it was agreed by SEC that part of its implementation of a 10-year Capital Market Master Plan was to constitute a technical committee on Commodities Trading Ecosystem.

One of the recommendations of the committee was to identify commodities with good supply base in Nigeria for inclusion as a tradable commodity in the Nigeria Commodity Exchanges.

According to him, Nigeria has the largest number of shea trees in the world and contributes over 60 per cent of the total shea nut produced annually in West Africa.

Oroh said: “Nigeria can supply shea nut kernel to local buyers and those in West Africa while developing a local processing industry.”

He said that a panel session held at the second agribusiness networking (Agnet) titled, “Trading Shea Nuts and Shea Butter in Commodity Exchanges in Nigeria: How to Make It Happen” noted that shea was a tradable commodity.

He said that the Representatives of AFEX and the Lagos Commodity & Futures Exchange were of the view that the benefit of trading shea would increase quality and sustainability of the product from the production areas.

Oroh said NASPAN, the Agribusiness Register, the Commodity Brokers Association of Nigeria and the nation’s commodity exchanges and other stakeholders would work to make shea trading on the nation’s exchanges a reality.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NAR is supporting food and agribusiness investments in Nigeria and West Africa to scale and also turn impact-oriented investment intentions into actual investments.

They are the agribusiness investment facilitation arm of Commodities Development Initiative (CDI) a commercial NGO registered under the corporate laws of Nigeria.

NAR’s mission is to create impact and increase inclusion by supporting agribusiness start-ups and scale-ups with information, grants and access to impact capital and product markets.

This is through several products and services including the AgNet event, which brings fund providers and project promoters together to make commitments.

By Fortune Abang

The Federation of Snail Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FESMAN), on Thursday underscored the need for Nigerians to invest more in snail farming to ensure food security.

The National President of FESMAN, Mr Ebeh Ogoenyi, stressed the need in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Ogoenyi said that the massive snail production was in line with the Federal Government’s policy on diversifying the economy, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and the unstable oil sector.

According to him, snail farming is a lucrative venture and also good for export, due to high demand for the product globally.

The national president said there was the need for more investments in its production to meet the demand.

“We have been mobilising people across the country to go into snail farming so that we can secure our society, create jobs, ensure food security and produce industrial raw materials.

“The market is there; it is only production that we need. We have been mobilising people to invest in it, in order to produce more.

“We have also been seeking support because when you are talking about diversification of the economy from oil, snail is number one to be considered,” he said.

Ogoenyi listed slime as one of the raw materials that could be derived from snail and used for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

“You can use snail shell for the production of animal feed, because it contains more than 98 per cent calcium.

“You can also use it as an ornament. You can use it for floor tile and for automotive brake pad production and a lot more.

“As an association in charge of snail business in Nigeria, we are trying to ensure Nigerians participate in the production, because it is very lucrative,” he added.

NAN reports that the association, which consist of 764 members seeks to mass produce snail to ensure food security in Nigeria and industrial raw materials supply.   (NAN)

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa has injected N8 billion sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria into the Agro-Industrial Park project in Aboh-Ogwashi in Aniocha South Local Government Area.

Mr Charles Aniagwu, the state Commissioner for Information, said this on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the project.

He added that the project partners were also coming in with their resources to fund and develop the park.

According to him, the agro-industrial park will be a catalyst for economic transformation in the state as it is a strong commitment of Okowa’s administration to grow a Delta economy not dependent on oil.

Aniagwu said when completed, the park would provide agro-processing value-chain services to farmers in the state.

“Delta has been known for oil but we have also said that this is the time to move beyond oil and that it is not going to be mere rhetoric.

“We have come here today to see for ourselves what we have done so far with respect to the Delta Agro-Industrial Park.

“We believe that by the time the park comes fully on stream, farmers within the environment and in different parts of the state will take advantage of the different factories and industries located in it for processing their produce.

“Our people lose value of their produce because of lack of processing facilities and I am glad that this industrial park will bring in additional value for our farmers when completed and inaugurated,” he said.

Aniagwu said that the park would also enhance the capacity of farmers who will take advantage of the mechanisation that would take place at the park.

He said that when the park is completed and started operations, it would take Delta far from what it used to be.

Aniagwu said that although companies were shutting down, people must still eat in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

He added that the government believed that the industrial park would be the next frontier for Delta.

On his part, Prof. Eric Eboh, Chief Job Creation Officer, Delta State Bureau for Job Creation, said that the project was well conceived to provide a one-stop-shop solution for farmers and industrialists in the state.

Eboh said that the essence of the project was to provide a safe operating space for agro-allied industries and factories to process agricultural raw materials into edible or finished products.

“Lack of processing facilities is one of the missing links in the agricultural value-chain, so it is expected that this Agro-Industrial Park will be a game changer for Delta.

“It is one of its kind in the country and it has great prospects for the turnaround of the agricultural economy of the state,’’ he said.

Eboh said that the park was a multi-purpose agro-industrial park which would accommodate agro-processing of different agricultural products whether root or tuber crops, grains and livestock, among others.

“In terms of the potential impact, it is humongous – social, economic and developmental – to the agricultural value-chain of Delta.

“The benefits of the project have been validated by National and International Financing Organisations and we are confident that this project will stand the test of time even after Okowa’s exit as governor,” he said.

The Project Coordinator, Mr Ran Yogev of Sequoia Group, said that the site is 220 hectares and was selected because of its nearness to the Ogwashi-Uku Dam.

He added that the engineering, procurement and construction of the project were expected to be completed within 18 months. (NAN).