By Ahmed Kaigama

The UN Women says it has trained 20 artisans and seven agricultural extension workers on biogas digester installation, maintenance, and kitchen gardening to boost livelihoods in Bauchi’s rural communities.

The National Coordinator for the UN Women Biogas Projects, Mr Desmond Osemije, disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening of the training in Bauchi.

Osemije said that the initiative was also designed to tackle climate challenges in rural communities.

He explained that the 20 technicians, primarily plumbers, were being equipped with the skills to install and maintain biogas digesters and will, in turn, train 250 rural women beneficiaries in Bauchi and Dass Local Government Areas.

Osemije further said that 250 rural women would benefit from the biogas digester, comprising 125 each from Bauchi and Dass LGAs.

“Additionally, seven agricultural extension workers are undergoing training to establish kitchen gardens, enabling rural households to grow vegetables and other crops for easy access to fresh food.

“This project seeks to improve the time use of women, boost agricultural productivity and incomes, enhance health standards, reduce deforestation, and contribute significantly to combating climate change,” Osemije said.

He also said that producing low-cost biogas from animal waste would provide rural women with affordable clean energy for cooking, reduce income and time poverty.

It will also lessen their exposure to health hazards and risks of gender-based violence.

Also speaking, Hajiya Marka Abbas, the National Public Relations Officer of the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria, underscored the need for collaboration with UN Women to promote sustainable agricultural practices and a cleaner environment.

She said that the project not only trains women and artisans to install and maintain bio-digesters, but also creates opportunities for income generation and economic independence.

“By converting waste into biogas and organic fertiliser, the project supports a circular economy, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and combats deforestation.

“The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Bauchi State Government through the Ministries of Women Affairs and Agriculture,” she said.

A participant, Miss Fatima Usman, expressed optimism that the training would enhance her livelihood and pledged to pass on the knowledge to other rural women. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Sam Oditah

By Dorathy Aninge

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) says it is nurturing one million seedlings in nurseries to distribute to farmers across the country to boost cashew production.

NCAN President, Dr Joseph Ajanaku, said this on Tuesday at the planting of 20,000 seeds of cashew in Makurdi as part of the initiative.

Ajanaku, who was represented by Mr Mohammed Kabir, NCAN National Financial Secretary, said that the effort was in collaboration with Beyond Farm Collection (BFC).

The president added that the aim was to increase the annual production that currently stands at 580,000 metric tonnes to at least two million metric tonnes.

He said that the target was achievable, as 21 states of the federation have fertile land for large-scale cultivation of cashew.

Ajanaku emphasised that the move was imperative because of the vast economic and employment opportunities within the Nigerian cashew sector.

According to him, the cashew industry has the potential to inject billions of dollars into the Nigerian economy if properly supported by the stakeholders.

“We’re currently cultivating about one million cashew seedlings in nurseries to be distributed to cashew farmers nationwide.

“Just last week, I was in Kogi, where we raised 20,000 seedlings. Today, I’m in Benue supervising the nursery here.

“The one million cashew seedlings target is not restricted to just a few states; it’s an ongoing national effort.

Ajanaku said that NCAN had nurtured 300,000 seedlings across seven states of Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Edo, and Enugu.

“So far, we have completed Kogi and Benue, and work is currently ongoing in Edo.

“After that, we will move to other states with suitable land and climate for cashew cultivation,” he added.

He described the Benue soil across the three senatorial zones as suitable for the cultivation of cashew.

Mrs Bridget Yough, Benue NCAN Chairperson, lauded the national leadership for choosing the state for the initiative.

Yough stated that based on last year’s analysis, they discovered that Benue produced just about 5,000 metric tonnes of cashew, adding that the figure was low considering the state’s potential.

“To boost productivity and benefit from this agricultural venture, we need quality seedlings and not just any seedlings. These are ‘Ogbomosho’ seedlings, which are known to be excellent for export.

“In fact, they are in high demand across Nigeria and even beyond. We’re grateful to have received them here for our farmers.

“Benue is starting with 20,000 seedlings, as you can see. We’re already planting them now. But we are requesting more, and we believe the national office will support us further,’’ she said.

Yough said cashew was extremely profitable, adding that ‘cashews are like diamonds on trees’.

She said that the older the cashew tree gets, the richer the farmer becomes.

“Right now, the minimum return you can get per metric tonne is about ₦1.8 million.

“If you plant cashew on one hectare of land, about 200 trees, you can generate at least four million naira annually. That’s the minimum. So yes, cashew is very lucrative,” she said.

The State Secretary of NCAN, Mr James Ekele, said that Benue has vast forested land and that what the national office was doing was empowering farmers, especially in Benue.

Ekele said the effort by the national body would enable them to convert idle lands into productive ventures and to generate income from them.

“I believe that as sensible and forward-thinking people, we’re already embracing this initiative wholeheartedly.

“And I think the government should also look into what the national office is doing and find ways to support and scale up cashew production across the states.

“Today, we’re facing challenges like insurgency and terrorists setting up camps in our communities, but cashew is one crop that can help us reclaim and put our lands to productive use.

“It can help chase away these threats by keeping the land busy and secure. But one of the major challenges farmers face is that many of our lands are still forested,” he stated.

The secretary called on the Benue government to invest in the sector by opening up farmland and providing machinery to remove trees and make the land arable again.

He urged the government to also empower farmers to access more seedlings and inputs. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Peter Amine

By Peter Uwumarogie

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has confirmed the receipt of N60 billion support from the Federal Government for the establishment of a 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone in the state.

Yahaya disclosed this in Gombe on Saturday during a ground-breaking ceremony for the establishment of the zone.

He said that the President Bola Tinubu’s administration had pledged N120 billion support towards the establishment of the zone and out of that released part of the money.

He stated that the initiative was aimed at building a prosperous and sustainable future in livestock development in the state.

He said that the zone, which will cover a total area of 184 hectares, would house an ultramodern abattoir, an international livestock market, fattening hubs, a tannery and leather factory, a world-class grains and livestock feeds market, and an in-land dry port.

“Each facility is designed with cutting-edge infrastructure to enable safe, efficient, and large-scale processing and commerce.

“The Gombe Ultramodern Abattoir is set to transform meat processing in Gombe State, and indeed the entire Northern region of Nigeria.

“This automated facility will enable hygienic, efficient, and globally compliant processing, packaging, and distribution – serving both domestic and international markets.

“By eliminating the outdated practice of transporting live animals under unsafe and costly conditions, we pave the way for a smarter, safer livestock economy,” he said.

The governor said that the project would provide job opportunities, enhance productivity, encourage import substitution and increase foreign earnings along all segments of the livestock value chain.

Yahaya commended Tinubu for his support towards harnessing the huge potential in the livestock sector.

On his part, Alhaji Idi Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development, restated the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of the livestock sector.

Maiha said that the Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to improve animal processing capacity for local and international consumption.

He commended the governor for his initiative to revamp the livestock sector, adding that the facility, when completed, would process 500 bulls, 1,000 small ruminants and 3,000 poultry birds daily. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Victor Nwachukwu

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says that exporters in Imo recorded 8.6 million dollars from the production and export of cashew in the 2024 fiscal year.

Executive Director of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, said this at a workshop on cashew production organised by the council in Owerri, on Friday.

She spoke on the theme: “Best Agronomic and Post Harvest Practices for Cashew Cluster Farmers in Imo State”.

Ayeni, represented by the Imo Coordinator of NEPC, Mr Anthony Ajuruchi, said that boosting cashew production was key to achieving sustainable growth in the sub sector.

She commended cashew farmers in the state for their resilient efforts in spite of challenges.

She said that products from the cashew value chain can be used in the production of wine, liquor, cream, butter and other consumables.

“We have facilitated the purchase of 1,500 improved seedlings of cashew to be distributed to Okwudor and Okigwe farmers for value addition and export just like we did for cocoa two years ago and now, they are fruiting,” she said.

She thanked the Imo Government for providing the enabling environment for the activities of farmers and exporters in the state to thrive.

Speaking, Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Umuahia, urged farmers to develop interest in cashew production.

Adebola, represented by Dr Olaniyi Olufemi, the institute’s Head of Station in Umuahia, said that CRIN will provide agronomic assistance and technical know-how to assist interested farmers of cashew, kola, coffee, cocoa, tea and black plum. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

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