Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have charged farmers to embrace sustainable certification for agribusiness to build more resilient, profitable and sustainable ventures.
They also urged the Federal Government to develop a food safety framework to improve agriculture sustainability certification in the country.
They stated this at the maiden edition of Nigeria Sustainable Agriculture Conference organised by FutuX Agri-consult, Lagos, on Wednesday.
Mr Olarenwaju Babatunde, Lead Strategist/Founder FutuX Agri-consult, Lagos, said that by adopting sustainable agriculture in Nigeria, farmers would help to improve food security.
Babatunde said that when farmers adopt sustainable practices, they are more likely to produce higher yields, which can help to increase their income and food security.
He listed some of the reasons why sustainable certification is important for the country to include improve productivity of agricultural sector, protect the environment and improve the lives of farmers and workers.
Babatunde added that when farmers use sustainable practices, they are less likely to pollute the soil, water, and air and can help to preserve the natural resources and biodiversity elements for future generations.
The convener said that when farmers are paid a fair price for their products, they are more likely to be able to provide for their families and live in decent conditions.
“In addition, sustainable certifications can also help to improve the image of Nigerian agriculture.
“By demonstrating that Nigerian farmers are committed to sustainability, we can attract new markets and boost our export earnings.
“Nigeria is a major agricultural producer, with rich agricultural heritage; with a wide variety of crops and livestock.
“Our land is fertile, our climate is diverse, and we have a long history of producing food for ourselves and for the world, and our farmers are some of the most hardworking and dedicated people in the world.
“But despite all of these advantages, our agricultural sector is facing a number of challenges, including food insecurity, climate change, inaccessible markets, land and environmental degradation.
“One of our biggest challenges is still climate change. Climate change is already having a negative impact on our agricultural production.
“We are seeing more frequent droughts, floods, irregular rainfall patterns and pest infestations.
“This is a big concern, and we need to think critically about how we can meet our present needs without compromising the needs of the future,” he said.
Babatunde said that to address these challenges, farmers must embrace sustainable agriculture certification to increase market access and profits.
“This is where sustainability comes into play. Sustainable agriculture is a way of farming that protects the environment and ensures that farmers can continue to produce food for generations to come.
“Sustainable certification is a process that ensures that agricultural products are produced in a way that is environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable.
“It can play a vital role in helping our agricultural sector to thrive as it offers a way for Nigerian agribusinesses to build more resilient, profitable, and sustainable ventures.
“By adopting sustainable practices, farmers can reduce their environmental impact, improve their production practices and yields, and increase their market access and profits.
“And by verifying this process through a third-party system, a sustainable certification can be obtained and leveraged upon to access premium markets and earn higher prices for our agricultural produce,” he added.
He urged the government to give tax holiday to agribusiness owners and food processors to encourage sustainability.
Mr Kamaldeen Raji, the Managing Director, AFEX Commodity Exchange Group, said that sustainable certification would help to improve the image of Nigerian agriculture in international community by demonstrating that farmers are committed to sustainability and standards.
Raji added that by adopting sustainable practices, farmers can reduce their environmental impact, improve their production practices and yields, and increase their market access and profits.
“We have seen our farmers labour for many years and but getting any value for their service, he said.
Also, Mrs Olusola Sowemimo, the Founder, Ope Farms, Ogun State, said that there was a lot that the government can do to support organic farmers as being done to the conventional practice.
“Food from sustainable agriculture can heal so many diseases, so many infections, so it’s something that they need to support to boost food production.
“Food security would be better boosted if sustainable agriculture is a key part of it, knowledge is key,” Sowemimo said.
Mr Samson Ogbole, the Team Lead, Soulless Farm, Ogun State, urged farmers to embrace standards to prevent their farm produce from being rejected abroad.
Ogbole also urged certification bodies to be more accessible and educate farmers on the benefits and importance of sustainable certification for agribusiness.
“This conference would educate farmers on how to go about their farming activities. It is a very interesting experience for farmers,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Federal Government and the United Nations have called for a holistic approach to achieving sustainable food chain in Nigeria.
The call was made at the Pre-food systems stock-taking moments media engagement on Wednesday in Abuja.
The event was jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMFBNP), and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC).
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Nebeolisa Anako, in an address described food system as the most complicated stomach infrastructure with issues.
He said a food system entailed complex networks that include input and output of food production processes and consumption.
According to him, food system is also about the food value chain.
Anako said, “this is because the food produced through farming needed to pass through some stages before it goes to the stomach.
“The food system problem has been on transportation of food from the farm, getting the seedlings to plant, to the time we plant.
“Down to the table to managing the waste; our effort is to reduce hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.
“When you lack food you cannot leave nutrition aside of food, it is about eating healthy food that will give human capita and healthy population.
“We want to drastically reduce food importation and promote sustainable food trade as a country and we are getting there, this is a project that concerns all of us.”
Also Speaking, Mr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent-Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), said the call became important for stakeholders in Africa to ensure food security.
Umakhihe who was represented by Mrs Sugrah Mahmood, Director in-charge of Nutrition and Food Safety in the ministry, spoke on: “Ensuring sustainable food system in Nigeria, challenges and prospects.”
Umakhihe said: “As we are all aware, our country is facing severe crisis in line with the recent declaration on state of emergency on food security and water by President Bola Tinubu.
“The declaration demands our utmost intention and collective efforts to address the perceived challenges, and explore the prospects of sustainable food security in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is blessed with vast agricultural resources, yet we grapple with persistent food insecurity, malnutrition and hunger.
“The challenges we face are multifaceted, but by identifying and addressing these issues we can pave the way for a most sustainable food future.”
In his remark, the Director of UNIC, Ronald Kayanja, who spoke on: “Expectations on Food System Stock-taking Moments” commended Nigeria’s efforts toward ensuring food security.
He described Nigeria as a very important country in the world and Africa.
According to him, it is the biggest country in the continent, in terms of population.
He said it was in everybody’s interest to have a vibrant Nigeria and agriculture is the core of the economy.
“Everybody in Nigeria needs to mobilise to ensure food security after the president’s declaration of emergency in the food sector.
“The progress and success in Nigeria is immeasurable on what can be done, but there are challenges that must be tackled, irrespective of the land size,” Kayanja said.
Highpoint of the event was overview of Nigeria’s implementation and preparation for stock-taking moment, remarks by UN bodies, as well as questions and answer sessions. (NAN) (www.nannews.com.ng)
By Dianabasi Effiong, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Most farm produce, seedlings, yams, cassava, rice, groundnuts and palm fruits, including harvests and Agric abundance, are celebrated in many cultures in Nigeria.
They usually set aside certain periods in the year for a carnival-like, elaborate celebration.
For instance, the Cassava Festival is observable in Buanchor, Eastern Boki and New Yam festivals in parts of Cross River.
Also, cassava festival (Usoro Iwa), initiated by an NGO, People, Environment and Sustainability Foundation, in partnership with All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, was unveiled in Akwa Ibom in 2018.
Tagged: `The nutritive wonders of cassava’, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and Champion Breweries, the festival showcases culinary skills and ideas in cassava production.
Participants also use the platform in which the organisers freely distribute improved variety cassava stems to interested farmers to demonstrate their various talent base in cassava production.
At one of the events, the convener, Rita Otu, also unveiled her project, and according to her, “It all starts with one stem’’, to drive the campaign to strengthen communities and institutions to produce and consume bio-fortified crops.
Vitamin A fortified cassava variety, including yams, are major staples with nutritional values for most Nigerian families.
They also serve as important feed sources in animal/ruminant husbandry and poultry production.
President, African Coconut Heritage Initiative (AGUNKEFEST), Mr Mesi Doheto, addressing stakeholders during the flag-off of coconut festival in Badagry
Recently the African Coconut Heritage Initiative (AGUNKEFEST), an NGO, announced the flag-off of coconut festival by planting over 500 seedlings in schools and other areas of Badagry.
AGUNKEFEST President, Mr Mesi Doheto, said that the festival’s flag-off was to begin coconut planting in the rainy season.
The festival normally holds in November but the group opted to plant coconuts in the 2023 fiesta.
“For this year, we brought students from different schools in Badagry because we want to initiate them into planting.
“We discovered that many schools in Badagry have land and this is a big opportunity for us to give them the seedlings so that they can plant them in their school environment.
“We are also catching them young, inculcating the idea of save environment and also giving the school economic power because in some years’ time, the coconut will begin to bear fruits,’’ he said.
Doheto said that 20 schools (10 primary and 10 secondary) were selected for the programme in 2023.
He said: “We gave each school 10 seedlings to plant, making 200 seedlings altogether. AGUNKEFEST team will visit the schools by November to monitor how they are growing.
“We also donated another 100 seedlings to Association of Coconut Growers (ACG), being a stakeholder in the sector.’’
He said that the coconut festival, to hold between Nov. 23 and Nov. 25, would have many personalities in attendance.
Traditional rulers and chiefs during the flag-off of coconut festival in Badagry
Also, the Coordinator of AGUNKEFEST, Mr Mustapha Ademola, said that coconut trees were important in the nation’s economy.
He said the seeds were constantly in demand and the fruits were raw material for many major industries, adding that Nigerians should always plant coconuts in their environments.
The Director, Research, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Dr Victor Adangbe, said that research was ongoing to meet expectations s of coconut stakeholders.
According to him, the research will focus on improved yields planting materials and disease-resistant seedlings among others.
Adangbe said farmers were being trained on effective field management and nursery management practices.
According to experts coconut production can service local consumption and attract major foreign exchange for growers.
Beyond the coconut festival, organisers, coconut growers and other stakeholders in the value-chain can explore ways to generate more income for growers.
An initiative to boost coconut production was, before now, inaugurated by Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s administration in Akwa Ibom with a multi-million dollar Coconut Plantation and refinery.
Government also distributed seedlings across the state to boost production for the coconut refinery.
A 2022 statistics from Coconut Growers Association of Sri Lanka (CGASL) offer an interesting insight for coconut stakeholders in Nigeria.
An accredited organisation of International Coconut community, the CGASL promotes, fosters and protects the coconut growing industry in Sri Lanka.
The statistics from the nonprofit organisation also show that coconut growers contributed $816.9million worth of exports for 2022 alone.
This is about N651.06 billion (N651, 069, 300, 000) at official exchange rate of N797 or N694.3 billion (N694, 365, 000, 000) at N850 in the black market.
The statistics from Sri Lanka also show that $407.0million was realised from kernel based exports and $410.0million in non-kernel based exports while production exceeded 3.3 billion coconuts in 2022.
While 1.5 billion coconuts were processed by the industry, 1.8 billion coconuts were consumed locally during the year in focus.
The organisation of International Coconut community is a United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific (UNESCAP) established in 1969.
It constitutes 20 countries across the Caribbean (1), South America (1), East Africa (1), Asia (8) and the Pacific (9).
Other countries include F.S Micronesia, Fiji, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, and Papua New Guinea.
The Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Vietnam are other member-states of UNESCAP.
Therefore, coconut growers in Akwa Ibom, Badagry and Nigeria can boost production for local consumption and international trade enhancement by adopting available best practices.
With their knowledge of pests and diseases control, research institutes like NIFOR can provide details on coconut pest and disease management for best pest and disease-free crops.
Pests and diseases include coconut Leaf Miner, the Red Weevil and coconut Scale, Mammalian Pests of coconut, Stem Bleeding Disease, Plesispa Beetle and Coconut Caterpillar, the Black Beetle, Termites, Bud Rot Disease, Leaf Blight Disease and Coconut Mite.
Farmers can collaborate with government, corporate organisations, individuals and research institutions such as NIFOR to foster growers’ sustainability and strengthening of the coconut plantation industry.
Efforts should also be made to ensure that coconut farmers in Nigeria adopt global best practices in planting and plantation management.
Help could be gotten in the selection of mother palms, nursery management and seedlings selection or how to get planting materials.
There should also be expertly advised on planting systems, management of young palms, inorganic and organic fertiliser mixtures and application as well as in soil and moisture conservation practices.
Expert opinion abound on planting coconuts around homes, utilisation of organic manure and application of Tissue Culture Technology on coconuts.
Expert say that intercropping of coconut lands are realisable through planting and management of intercrops.
Intercropping objective can be through intercropping coconut plantation with Plantain, Banana, Coffee, Cocoa, Pepper or Pineapples.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Badagry was founded in the late 1720s by Popo refugees from the wars with the Fon people of Dahomey (now Benin Republic).
It also stated: “Badagry was, for the next century, a notorious exporter of slaves to the Americas.’’
Badagry has come a long way; it can be popular as Nigeria’s major base for production and export of coconuts globally. It has the capacity.
Badagry can achieve this with the right attitude of stakeholders, non-state actors and the political will of those with the wherewithal to drive the process. (NANFeatures)
**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria**
The Sorghum Farmers Association of Nigeria (SOFAN), has commended President Bola Tinubu for declaring state of emergency on food security.
The President of the association, Alhaji Lawal Gada, made the commendation when he addressed newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.
According to Gada, the action of the president could not have come at a better time than now when the world is facing myriad of challenges militating the food supply chains in the world, Nigeria inclusive.
He said that the declaration would greatly make Nigeria more self reliant in food production, hence be made more food secure.
The president also sadly recalled how the global food supply chains were affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Gada said: “The world’s global food supply chain is currently being disrupted by the ongoing Ukraine/Russian war, especially wheat and fertilizer.
“The border closure by the last administration also took a negative toll on the food supply chain in the country.
” The declaration of the state of emergency on food security will therefore insulate Nigeria from such obnoxious effects and several related ones.
“It will also encourage more Nigerians to invest more funds in agricultural and agro-industrial activities in the country.”
In the same vein, Gada stated that the declaration would create more direct and indirect jobs in the country.
He said that it would also shore up the nation’s.economy and result in the spike of its external reserves.
The SOFAN national president further happily noted that Nigeria was now self sufficient in sorghum production.
Gada added: “We are also currently exporting sorghum to Niger republic and other West African countries.
“Sorghum is a very resilient crop that easily adapts to climate change and it’s multitude of negative effects including food production.
“Another comparative advantage of sorghum is that it is being produced in almost all parts of the country.”
“Sorghum is not only a food crop, it is now an industrial and cash crop as well.”
He, therefore, averred that the commodity direly needed more support from the Federal Government.
The SOFAN national president also said that such interventions from the Federal Government would help to address some of the most formidable challenges inhibiting adequate food production in the country.
He listed such interventions to include the timely supply of fertilizer, pesticides and other farm inputs.
Gada also called on the Federal Government to accord priority attention to some farming communities that were ravaged by flood in 2022 and previous years.
In the same vein, the SOFAN president appealed for more measures to boost security in the nation, with a view to bolstering food production.
He pledged:” We are therefore ready to partner with the Federal Government to effectively facilitate the realisaton of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“This is more so in the direction of helping the Federal Government to achieve the desired impact of the declaration of the state of emergency on food security.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Hamisu Sharabutu, says the council will continue to work with the private sector for agricultural innovations and economic growth.
Sharabutu said this at the Reporting Achievements of Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) in Nigeria to the government and National stakeholders on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that agriculture issues should be of national interest, where everybody should be a stakeholder.
“I want to remind us that those of us who are politicians should not only mention agriculture but become very serious about it .
“Whether at the local, state, federal and private level all stakeholders must come together and give our assistance and services.
“For those of us in the public service, we are supposed to extract from the private sector and individual as we can not do much if they do not come to our aid,” he said.
He urged the organisers to intensify efforts in the promotion of organic agriculture for the health of the nation and it’s habitats.
He said that organic agriculture principles education should be extended to all farmers whether small holder farmers or big time farmers.
A cross section of participants at the Reporting Achievements of Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) in Nigeria to the government and National stakeholders on Wednesday in Abuja.
“We cannot practice organic agriculture if we do not bring in some of the people from the states and the extension agents who sat at the level of the agricultural development program we have all over the place.
“I pray that those representing government here will be able to take this message back to the government so that each organisation can give teeth, tongue and a helping hand to the growth of the agriculture sector,” he said.
Mrs Janet Igoh, Chairperson EOA Initiative in Nigeria, in her remarks disclosed that the FCT had graciously given them organic markets but they need these markets to become functional.
“We are extending our coasts so we can accommodate as many organic farmers as possible to grow more produce to be able to serve the huge available markets.
“We are united and will continue to be united as a nation by the special grace of God, and we are still united because we have food on our tables.
“If food is taken away, then you will want to wonder what we will do with ourselves.
“God has endowed us with large masses of arable land, plenty of sunshine and abundant human resources; our people are ready to work, all we need to do is to lend a helping hand to one another,” he said.
Dr Olugbenga AdeOluwa, Country Coordinator, EOA Initiative in Nigeria, said the EOA would continue to work with stakeholders through the National Organic Agriculture Business Summit (NOABS) to propagate healthy agriculture and economic growth.
He said that EOA will be exploring how to continue to enhance an enabling environment for domestic and export businesses in organic agriculture and agroecology sectors of Nigeria.
“We are also working towards policies for upscaling organic and agroecology businesses in Nigeria and increase production level of organic and agroecological produce and products in the country to contribute to food security and safety,” he said. (NAN)
By Felicia Imohimi
Smallholder Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), has urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to expedite action in passing the agricultural statutory budget and allocation of specific funds to farmers.
The measure according to the organisation would ensure food availability for citizens in these hard times.
Mrs Comfort Sunday, SWOFON, FCT Coordinator, made the call at a news conference by the organisation on Friday in Abuja, with support from ActionAid Nigeria.
The conference is tagged: “Persistent delays and untimely appropriation of the FCTA Agriculture Statutory Budget, along with poor budgetary allocation to agriculture, towards achieving 10 per cent Malabo commitment”.
Sunday, who frowned at the abysmal delay in assenting to the budget, said the situation had led to increased food prices in the FCT, while perpetrating a cycle of low productivity, poverty, food insecurity and inequality.
These according to her, directly impacts the wellbeing and development of the rural communities they serve, as well as disrupts the overall agricultural value chain.
She urged the FCTA to prioritise the challenge and take swift action to rectify the problem.
She noted that smallholder women farmers in the country, including the FCT, were facing numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated the difficulties.
The coordinator who identified smallholder women farmers as the drivers of agro labour force, said the current realities posed grave dangers for the FCT food security agenda, as encapsulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
“In recent years, we have witnessed significant delays in the approval and untimely release of FCTA agriculture statutory budget funds, which significantly impacts on the activities of the farmers.
“SWOFON, in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, did community-based Focal Group Discussion across six area councils in the FCT, the scorecard reports conspicuously observed the recurring abysmal delay, which affects agricultural productivity, and all aspects of agricultural value chain.
“This includes lack of access to essential resources, such as improved seeds and seedlings, fertilisers, gender friendly agro and labour-saving technologies, climate resilience, gender-based discrimination among others.
“We call on the attention of stakeholders, including the Federal Government, legislators, private sector, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), among others, to act towards saving the livelihood of smallholder women farmers, and by extension improving food security in FCT, “Sunday said.
She said: “SWOFON is confident that the FCT can be food secured if relevant state actors become deliberate and timely with approval and assent of FCTA agricultural budget ,with specific attention to the needs of smallholder women farmers.”
She called on President Bola Tinubu, all relevant executive state actors, the legislature, FCTA Agriculture and Rural Development and its budget office, as well as other relevant departments and stakeholders, to take bold steps in addressing the challenge.
“As committed citizens of Nigeria and as a group, we remain confident in the capacity and ability of Nigeria and FCT, especially to feed itself and other nations of the world, ” Sunday added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
As part of efforts to address the immediate food security requirements of member countries, the Executive Committee of the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Programme, a multi-donor, Inter-regional programme, has unveiled a US$1.5 billion Food Security Programme.
The hybrid unveiling took place at the headquarters of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Cairo on July 6.
The programme has the specific focus to ensure the resources for a consistent and reliable supply of essential food commodities for the Arab and African regions amidst the ongoing global food security crisis.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the crisis is a critical challenge facing the world and continues to be a top priority on the international development agenda.
By emphasising its special interest in the food sector, AATB aims to leverage its expertise, resources, and partnerships to implement targeted engagements that address the specific challenges faced by member countries.
The Food Security Programme is developed around the four pillars of the AATB Programme, namely Trade, Investment, Insurance, and Infrastructure.
In addition, the programme incorporates a fifth element, which is capacity development and technical assistance, serving as a cross-cutting theme and an enabling factor.
Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), commended the AATB, which he chairs the executive committee.
He said that the committee is committed to supporting production across Africa as the continent was lagging behind.
According to him, Africa needs to deal with the very difficult challenges that it is facing because of food prices that are afflicting many parts of the world.
He said: “The global food security situation has been worsened recently. First, by the lockdowns, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused difficulties, all across Africa.
“Then Ukraine crisis compounded the problem by restricting access to grains that used to come from the Black Sea area, and also the fertilisers that were normally used to support production across Africa.
“ So, a continent that was lagging behind in terms of the fertiliser now found itself where production in many places could not take place because of lack of access to fertiliser.
“We recognise that in some parts of Africa, there are production going on and in fact, excess supply, but quite a large part of the continent, especially in the eastern and southern Africa area, shortages remain.’’
Oramah noted that of recent, the climate crisis had also become a big challenge to the continent, especially those living in the Sahel area, East Africa.
“And so, we’ve seen droughts and seen extreme weather, flooding, and so on, impacting production of food in those areas.
“It is estimated by different groups that more than 50 million Africans might be facing starvation because of lack of access to food.
“ It is on account of this that the Arab Africa Trade Bridges considered the matter.
“And as we have done in the past, especially during the COVID -19 pandemic, when we launched the collaborative trade pandemic response facility, decided that as a programme, we should also look at how to support the continent.
“It is on that basis that the AATB and partners came together and put up a $1.5 billion facility for food security in Africa.
“As an African bank, committed to supporting the continent, I am very proud of this partnership and most thank our partners”.
Mr Hani Sonbol, Secretary General, AATB, commended the initiative and said that committee recognised its importance for human well-being, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and interconnected development.
Sonbol, also CEO of ITFC, noted that through the programme and associated initiatives, AATB aimed to contribute to achieving the SDGs and promoting inclusive economic development among member countries.
NAN also reports that the Food Security Programme is a key focus of AATB, reflecting its commitment to addressing the evolving priorities of member countries in crucial sectors such as health and food security for sustainable development.
By prioritising the food sector, AATB recognises its importance for human well-being, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and interconnected development.
The AATB Programme is a multi-donor, multi-country, and multi-organisations programme supported by the Afreximbank, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Islamic Development Bank, and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).
Other supporters are the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), The Islamic Corporation for The Development of The Private Sector (ICD), and The OPEC Fund for International Development.
The programme aims to promote and increase trade and investment flows between African and Arab OIC Member Countries; provide and support trade finance and export credit insurance and enhance existing capacity-building tools relating to trade.
The programme specifically focuses on supporting the key sectors of the health industry including pharmaceuticals; agriculture and related industries including textiles; infrastructure and transport; and petrochemicals, construction material, and technology. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Dr Ifeanyi Ogbu, Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), FCT Chapter has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to establish Federal Ministry of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health.
Ogbu made the call on the sideline of the workshop on Animal (Diseases) Control Act 2022 in Abuja.
The workshop was organised by the Division of Veterinary Epidemiology Department of Veterinary Services, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
He said that the creation of the ministry would ensure speedy control of diseases transmitted from animals to human beings.
According to him, the ministry can generate revenue for the government and create job opportunities for number of veterinary doctors graduating from numerous universities across the country.
“President Tinubu should consider making veterinary medicine a separate ministry in Nigeria, we know that he has the capacity to do it and he has started properly and started well.
“Creation of such ministry will be very useful for the country because it will now be a separate ministry that will be generating revenue for the government, create massive job opportunities for numerous veterinarians graduating from veterinary schools.
“It will enable speedy control of zonotic diseases that affect man. It will be a huge benefit for West Africa if Nigeria has Federal Ministry of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health,” he said.
Ogbu in his presentation on `Strategic Engagement of Private sector Practitioners in the Application and Enforcement of Animal Diseases Control Act’, said there was huge task in the information content of the Act.
He said there were also challenges in its possible implementation of the Act.
Ogbu said the Act also contained the role of the veterinary profession in the prevention, treatment and control of animal diseases for the overall public health.
He said the Act empowered private veterinarian practitioners in importation, exportation, surveillance, notification, animal identification, and animal farm registration.
He it also provided for monitoring and control, biosecurity, animal welfare, bees, live animal market, aquatic among others.
“Animal Diseases Control Act is a holistic guide on the role of the veterinarians in enforcement of animal related laws of the Federal Republic.
“Both the private and public veterinarians will find their strategic role to play here in safeguarding the public health through animal disease prevention and control.
“I observe that the task before vets are enormous as every nook and craning of the country needs to be monitored for compliance,” Ogbu said.
Similarly, Dr ldris Ademoh, Head, Veterinary Epidemiology Department of Veterinary Services, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, said the role of private service providers were enormous in the sector.
Ademoh said there was need for collaboration between veterinarians in private and public in the area of animal information dissemination, diseases among others.
“By law we in the public service set the standard and professionals in private sector reach out and we need a lot of feedback from them for the system to work well.
“For instance we have very few veterinary clinics in FCT. But you can imagine number of private veterinary clinics we have within FCT, now they are treating animals getting information about diseases.
“We need those information from them, it is when we have such information we can now encapsulate them into whatever policy we are rolling out.
“Without that understanding whatever you are dishing out is definitely not a reflection of what the situation is,” he said.
Ademoh said the aim of the workshop was to remind the professional of the existence of the law and aspects that were amended.
He said: “We want to see the new things that are there and how we can now define role for each component so that we can deliver the content of the Act.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Ekemini Ladejobi
An agriculture investor, Mr Leke Oluwatosin, says exploring palm kernel oil processing will boost the sector’s contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Oluwatosin, the Chief Executive Officer of LSX Integrated Agro Processing, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
He also harped on the viability of palm oil and its derivatives value chain in increasing the country’s agriculture revenue.
“The choice of oil palm cultivation is based on the viability and lucrative nature of the produce. In the U.S., it costs more to buy palm oil than any other oil variety.
“The export potential of oil palm, its derivatives and the entire value chain are very essential to everything we use on a daily basis.
“This means that any country that cultivates and produces oil palm will earn more revenue, create jobs and improve the GDP of the country.
“Nigeria used to be an oil palm production and export giant; we need to go back and explore the potential of the sector for the next generation.
“Our investments in the palm kernel oil processing is based on the fact that we are not producing enough of this liquid gold.
“It is disheartening that Nigeria still imports palm oil and some of its derivatives. We still bring it in from Malaysia and Indonesia. It is really an irony,” he told NAN.
Oluwatosin also reiterated the importance of palm oil as essential product in the production cycle of cosmetics and soap companies.
He explained that mesocarp (the outer skin) of the oil palm produce red palm oil while the seed inside the kernel produce the palm oil.
“When the seed is crushed, it produces palm oil, and it has so many uses in cosmetics, industrial application, edible oils, soaps and many others.
“Also, from the crushed seed after extracting the oil, we get the palm kernel cake.
“We have so many soap manufacturers who demand palm kernel oil as major component for soap production hence its viability.
“The palm kernel cake is then used primarily in the production of animal feed like poultry, piggery, livestock, etc.
“The palm kernel cake is a great source of protein for the livestock feed,” Oluwatosin said.
He noted that the reason oil palm sector was not living up to its potential was due to challenges in the country like inadequate power supply.
“Some of the machines we are using in processing the palm kernel oil require consistent electricity.
“Due to the inability to harness adequate power supply, most people in oil palm sector would just stop at cultivation and harvesting without adding value to the produce.
“We want to change the narrative by playing a big part in ensuring the value chain of the sector is thriving,’’ he added.
NAN reports that LSX Farms and Integrated Agro-Processing Company is a multi-enterprise agro-business founded in 2019.
It focuses on the establishment of oil palm, coconut, and cashew plantations.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Farmers receiving broiler chicks and feeds from Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) Programme on Saturday in Lagos.

By Olayinka Olawale
No fewer than 6,062 farmers in Lagos State have received agricultural inputs and production assets from the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) programme, a World Bank supported project.
Mr Jonathan Obayemi, State Project Coordinator, Lagos N-CARES, stated this at the distribution exercise in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) on Saturday in Lagos.
He said the initiative was second cycle of the implementation of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) programme.
Obayemi noted that beneficiaries were drawn from across the 20 LGAs and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.
He said that the farmers from Oshodi, Ikorodu, Agege, Kosofe, Shomolu, Surulere, Ifako-Ijaye and Ikeja had received the support.
He added that the programme would bridge the resource gaps that hinder production and productivity of small scale farmers in the state.
Obayemi said that the programme was designed to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poor and vulnerable households in the state.
“The distribution of agricultural inputs and assets to farmers is a part of fulfilment of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s electoral promises to Lagosians as well as part of measures to cushion the impact of the recent fuel subsidy removal on agricultural production in the state.
“In this cycle, 2,652 farmers will receive crops (maize seeds, cassava cuttings, vegetable seeds, fertiliser, herbicides and insecticides), and livestock (broiler chicks, poultry feeds, fish juveniles, fish feeds and medication) inputs.
“Also, 3,410 farmers will receive production and processing assets including pig weaners, point of lay birds, sheep and goat weaners, water pumps and hoses, battery cages, fishing nets, motorised sprayers, smoking kilns and grinding machine,” he said.
Obayemi said that these initiatives would increase food production and enhance food security.
“In addition, 2,299 farmers will benefit from improved agricultural infrastructure support including culverts, walkways, roads rehabilitation and small scale irrigation facilities.
“Also, water and sanitary facilities will also be upgraded in about 50 wet markets across the state to improve sanitation in the markets.
“All support will spread through the end of the year 2023,” he said.
Obayemi said that Lagos FADAMA was implementing four Disbursement Linked Indicators under Result Area 2- Enhancing Food Security and Safe functioning of Food Supply chain under the N-CARES programme.
He said that in the first cycle of disbursement, 2,000 farmers benefitted from the supply of inputs, while 2,025 farmers benefitted from production and processing assets.
He added that water and sanitary facilities were upgraded in 20 wet markets while 1,531 farmers benefitted from infrastructure improvement.
On her part, Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, re-emphasised that food security was key to making Lagos a 21st Century Economy being one of the pillars of Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES agenda. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
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