By Olayinka Olawale

Mr Samson Ogbole, Team Lead, Soilless Farm Lab, Ogun State, has urged the Federal Government to provide support for greenhouse farming for all-year-round food production in the country.

Ogbole told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that government needs to pay attention to other tools within agriculture that could help boost food production.

He said that soilless farming ensures that you annul seasonality of food production for farmers, and farm all-year-round.

He noted that soilless farmers are very few in the country because of lack of support and policy guideline from government.

According to him, government must provide a unified platform for information and this information must be distilled in a way that not only the educated ones can assess, anybody regardless of status will be able to assess it.

“There is a need to pay attention to other tools within agriculture that can help not only the traditional hoes, cutlass and tractors.

“There are things like soilless farming that can also play a role.

“Soilless farming ensures that you annul seasonality of food production for farmers and for the government.

“As a soilless farmer, I don’t get support from the government and the reason is because the government at this point does not even know what soilless farming is, how much more to say they are supporting it.

“The question I always ask people is how much support has been provided for local farmer who has the higher percentage? No, they are not being adequately supported talk less of us.

“Soilless farmers are minuet; we are few and before they come to us, they need to help the local farmers first because if they are helped, we can now focuse on areas that they cannot focuse on,” he noted.

Ogbole said that a lot of people have started showing interest in greenhouse farming in the country and called on government to provide policy guidelines for proper management.

He urged farmers to always seek knowledge and information before venturing into any farming technique to avoid loss of revenue.

“We have lots of green houses right now in the country, at least, I have setup green houses cross 26 states in Nigeria.

“We have a lot of people coming into it but there is a need to understand it. A lot of people come into greenhouse with false promises.

“They make them believe it is the magic to dig it and you blow, which is not the reality.

“Every technology has its business model, if you do not understand a business model of green house farming, you will do it at a loss. That is where there is a gap,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Bukola Adewumi

Dr Maryam Muhammad, the Executive Director of National Veterinary Research Institute of (NVRI), has warned farmers and veterinary doctors against fake anthrax vaccine in the livestock market.

Muhammad gave the warning on Wednesday at the consultative meeting of stakeholders with the federal department of veterinary and pest control service on the prevention and control of anthrax in the country, in Nasarawa.

The NVRI boss said there was a discovery of fake anthrax vaccine in some states of the country.

“We have retrieved fake anthrax vaccine in livestock market in Nassarawa, Kaduna, Kwara and Oyo States,” she said.

She, however, urged the farmers to remain calm and not to panic, stressing that government was in control of the situation.

She said that measures were already being put in place to ensure that everything was under control.

According to her, what we want to do first is to have only directors of veterinary services and accredited services who can attend to those that need it.

“They will be trained to do vaccination and trained to recognise fake vaccine and for those selling fake vaccine we have complain to security agencies and we are allowing them to do their work.

“But from our side if you need the vaccine come through either your state Director of Veterinary Services or an accredited distributor that way we can control the availability of these vaccine,” she said.

Mahammad advised authority in charge of livestock market to ensure they regulate the availability of vaccine in livestock market and also ensure they provide light to store genuine vaccine well.

She said there was the need to create awareness for the public that there was no need to panic that government was controlling the disease.

She also promised that they would scale up the production of the vaccine to make it available so that farmers do not have to look for it in areas that are non-designated for vaccine sales and distribution to stop the distribution of fake vaccine.

She urged farmers and veterinary doctors to be careful when buying the vaccine.

Mr Oluwadare Paul, General Secretary Nigerian Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists (NAAHHT) from Ibadan, said there were so many fake vaccines out there and there was the need for urgent intervention to see that the right authority stepped in.

“I have bought some many fake vaccines and when applied on the animals it has negatively affected the animals some died and sometimes the fake vaccine did not fight the disease,” he said.

Dr. Otto Muhinda, Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) country team leader of FAO, also appealed to farmers not to panic as FAO was assuring of it support ensure vaccine get to farmers.

He said ECTAD was a programme by FAO for the planning and delivery of veterinary assistance to member states in responding to the threat of transboundary animal health crises and would ensure that specialist in multiple sector work together to tackle health threats of animals and humans. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=====
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice President (VP) Kashim Shettima, has assured the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) of Federal Government’s partnership towards ensuring food security in the country.

Shettima gave the assurance when he received in audience the IITA delegation led by its Director-General (D-G) and Regional Director for Africa, Simeon Ehui, at the Presidential Villa, on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that President Tinubu’s administration would give all the necessary support and assistance to ensure food security and enhance agricultural practice that would produce enough food for the citizenry.

“There has to be a paradigm shift. Our agricultural output is low compared to our population and there is even the unfriendly environmental factors to deal with.

“So, this is a time for change and I want to give you the guarantee that my boss is with you and he will solidly support you to execute your mandate.

“My boss, President Bola Tinubu, is a man of courage and conviction and he has determined to reposition the nation more than ever before.”

He commended the IITA team for the many successes recorded in the agricultural sector in the West African region.

Shettima also praised IITA for doing well in the production of certain agricultural produce such as “cassava, yam and soya beans”.

The VP, who stated further that IITA has an iconic presence in Ibadan and West Africa, assured that the country must maximize the benefits which the institution can bring to bear on the agricultural sector in the country.

“Your own mantra is about the increase in agricultural yields and what tools can be used to improve such yields; ensure seed quality and availability, sound agricultural practices, fertilizer, and most importantly market accessibility”

“These are not rocket science, these are real and of course, if we can have very sound and environmentally friendly irrigation mechanism that will enhance our farm outputs, we can achieve our objectives.

“So, I want to give you my candid assurance that by my training, by my inclination as an agricultural economist and as a banker by profession, we can definitely engage with you.”

Shettima lauded the institution for its reputation and international best practices, noting that the “Federal Government can effortlessly do business with you”.

Earlier, the IITA D-G, Ehui, thanked the Federal Government for its support to IITA over the years, disclosing that it has expanded across many states in the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), on Wednesday expressed readiness to work with the Federal Government to improve food security in the country.

The Director-General of IITA, Mr Simeon Ehui, made this known while answering questions from State House Correspondents, shortly after he paid a courtesy visit on the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu on July 13 declared a state of emergency on food security due to the inflation in food items in the market caused by insecurity in the North-East, North-West, and South-East.

Ehui, who assured the determination of the institute towards eliminating food insecurity in Nigeria, thanked the Federal Government for its continue support to the institute since its inception in 1967.

“We came to pay a courtesy visit on Vice President Kashim Shettima, together with the Chairman of the Board of the institute.

“Our objective is really to thank the Government for all the support it has been providing the institute which has been in existence since 1967, more than 60 years ago.

“We heard good news from the Vice President about the continue support that the government of Nigeria is providing to the institute and we look forward to working with the government to increase food security and eliminate food insecurity in Nigeria.”

The D-G explained that the institute is a research institute that leverages on developing technologies to provide excellent yields and quality seeds.

He also said that the institute, apart from working with the National Government, partnered States and some agencies to improve agronomy practices and ensure disease control.

“We are also involved in ensuring agriculture business development.

“We think that with the growth in population and increasing demand, agric business becomes very important.

“To us, value chain development is very important, so IITA looks into how we can improve production of processed products, so these are the areas of our intervention, as we seek to provide the technology that can assist.”

He said in Cassava for instance, “we are doing a lot on organisation and processing to help improve the livelihood of the people who are making agriculture their business.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Dr Austin Ojogbo, (2nd R)  Director, Veterinary Services Department, MANR and Mr John Onovroke, State Coordinator, FMARD at the inauguration and handing over a modern live bird market built by the Federal Government to Delta Government at Ibusa, in the state on Wednesday

 

 

According to Agamah, the facility will serve as a model for poultry processors and a surveillance to produce wholesome and hygienic poultry products for Nigerians.

By Mercy Omoike

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has donated 50,000 doses of Anthrax vaccines to the Lagos State Government in the fight against the disease.

FMARD in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of United Nations embarked on a three-day sensitisation visit to the state Ministry of Agriculture to prevent the spread the disease, on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team paid a courtesy visit to the permanent secretary and the Cattle Market Abattoir at Oko-oba Agege.

The Permanent Secretary of FMARD, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, represented by the Deputy director, Dr AbdulKareem Durosinlorun, said the sensitisation and donation of the vaccines was part of the ministry’s efforts to contain the disease outbreak.

“As some of us are aware, there has been a confirmed outbreak of Anthrax disease in the country, in Niger and Lagos states.

“So, the essence of our visit is to create awareness and sensitisation among stakeholders in the prevention and control of diseases in Nigeria.

“We have also provided 50,000 free dosage of the Anthrax vaccine to the state in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA) of the United Nations.

“The Agege Oko-oba cattle market and abattoir is one of the biggest markets in the state.

“The cattle merchants and butchers need to know the symptoms and signs of this disease so that they can immediately alert the veterinary authorities.

“We met with the permanent secretary of agriculture in the state and she has assured us that vaccination has started,” Umakhihe said.

In her response, Mrs Ibironke Emokpae, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, appreciated FMARD’s support in curbing the spread of the Anthrax disease.

“We appreciate FMARD and the FAO and we are glad to receive 50,000 dosage of the Anthrax vaccine to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Vaccinations have began in the state and we have set up surveillance and biosecurity at point of entries of abattoirs in Lagos to detect any ailing animal.

“We are collaborating with the Lagos Ministry of Health and promise to put in more efforts to prevent the spread of the disease,” Emokpae said.

Dr Otto Muhinda, the Nigeria Country Team Leader, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, also commended the government for its initiatives in creating awareness of the disease and prevention.

“We are here to accompany the government in this outbreak monitoring.

“We have seen that awareness is very high, we appreciate the way the people, the local authorities, butchers and the cattle merchants are aware of this outbreak.

“We look forward to continue the monitoring in other states, we need to  sensitise more stakeholders on national level for a national strategy to stop the spread of the disease.

“We are satisfied about what the government is doing,” Muhinda said.

In his reaction, Alhaji Abdullahi Lalega, the chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Association, Oko-oba/Agege cattle market, said the cattle merchants and butchers are ready to corporate with government in the fight against the disease.

“When we first heard of the outbreak of the Anthrax disease, the veterinary doctors from Ministry of Agriculture came to educate us and sensitise us in how to detect the disease in cattle.

“So, we have called our cattle merchants and dealer and informed of what is happening in the country. And to ensure they buy healthy cows from where source their cattle.

“We have told our members to beware in order to prevent the disease spread and also to work closely with the veterinary doctors.

“So, we lecture our people and everybody agreed that we should support the doctors to do their work and where we see a cow we are not satisfied with, we show them to check it out,” Lalega said.

Dr Emeka Asiegbu, of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), said all hands are on deck in continuous enlightenment against Anthrax disease.

“What we are doing now is the right thing to do at this moment because the outbreak just started, about three weeks ago and we are already kicking off actions in various states.

“We are in Lagos today is work in progress because there are a lot of things that we have in mind to do with time as we are going into this programme.

“For now, I will say the awareness is becoming more popular or more widespread but there is still more enlightenment we need to do, going forward,” Asiegbu said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Mercy Omoike

Some agriculture stakeholders have called for proper implementation of the Federal Government N200 billion intervention for provision of stable food and agricultural inputs.

The stakeholders made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos while reacting to the President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast.

NAN reports that the nationwide broadcast was tagged: “After Darkness Comes the Glorious Dawn.”

Tinubu said the intervention would ensure that prices of food items remained affordable, adding that the government had the buy-in of farmers’ associations and operators in the agriculture value-chain.

Mr Godwin Egbebe, the National Publicity Secretary, Poultry Association of Nigeria, called for the proper implementation of the palliatives and collaborations with relevant stakeholders.

“We appreciate the Presidential broadcast and the proposed palliatives for agriculture sector, but like we always say, it is implementation that matters.

“We want the implementation teams for these palliatives to liaise with the real farmers and accept suggestions from them on the disbursement.

“We are the ones on the field, we understand how the sector works, so they need us too.

“We are grateful the President made it as simple as even the layman can understand without the use of economic jargons.

“These palliatives will be a respite to the entire agriculture sector and value chain if it is well administered,” Egbebe told NAN.

On his part, Mr Akin Alabi, the co-founder Corporate Farmers International, called for set up of a special office for disbursement of the palliatives.

“The palliatives promised the agriculture sector in the Presidential broadcast is a welcome development.

“However, different administrations have been reeling out policies but the main concern is the implementation.

“The concern is that these palliatives get to the smallholder farmers.

“Another question is how will the stakeholders across the agriculture ecosystem be impacted by these policies and programmes?

“The Presidency needs to create a special office that will be able to tailor all these policies so that it will be implemented and directed toward the objective for which they were created.

“We need a special office that will be able to implement and carry out these programme plans successfully.

“Hopefully, maybe when we have a Minister of Agriculture in a couple of weeks, then we can have a proper direction and drive for the policies and palliatives disbursement.

“Or else it will just be the same policies being repeated over and over again with little or no impact,” Alabi said.

Also speaking, Mrs Anthonia Amakwe, chairperson of the Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture, Lagos, said the palliatives needed to trickle down to the grassroots.

“We hope to see the proper implementation of these palliatives promised to the agriculture sector.

“Until we see these palliatives get to our hands, we can only hope. Will these palliatives and inputs really trickle down to the smallholder farmers that run the sector?

“We hope that it gets to the grassroots, if it gets to the local farmers it will help boost productivity and in the long run ensure the desired food security for the country,” Amakwe said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma