By Talatu Maiwada

The Adamawa Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture Development, in collaboration with Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, has commenced training of 120 farmers on modern livestock management and climate change.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that L-PRES is a six-year development project funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the World Bank.

Mr Tijjani Marksha, Commissioner for Livestock and Aquaculture Development, made this known on Wednesday, in Yola during a training workshop on Production and Technology Adoption Survey and Analysis.

Marksha, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Malam Suleiman Mohammed, commended L-PRES for its impactful and transformative initiatives.

“L-PRES is doing excellently well, and we appreciate their efforts in training our farmers to enhance livestock productivity in the state.

“This is the eighth in a series of workshops held this year, as knowledge remains crucial to achieving sustainable development.” he said

The commissioner also acknowledged the support of Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri in ensuring the successful implementation of the project in the state.

Also speaking, the Adamawa State Project Coordinator L-PRES, Mr Alfa Secondee, said the initiative aims to improve livestock productivity across the state.

“Globally, knowledge is key to achieving any developmental strides.

“That is why it is important to train and retrain our farmers to meet the key performance indicators of the L-PRES project,” Secondee said.

He explained that participants would be trained on modern technologies, including the use of smartphones to monitor climate change and its impacts on livestock productivity.

According to him, of the 120 participants, 21 are Divisional Livestock Officers from each local government area, including personnel from livestock pasture development units and local farmers.

In his remarks, Dr Ibrahim Bayaso, the lead facilitator, said the training was designed to build farmers’ capacity in climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience strategies.

“It is important to note that livestock and agriculture contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through fertiliser use and animal waste.

“In Nigeria, we must embrace sustainable land management by applying technology in land clearing, planting, fertiliser application, and livestock handling,” he said.

Bayaso emphasised the need for farmers to transition from traditional grazing practices, which deplete animals’ energy and negatively impact milk production, soil, and vegetation.

He urged participants to adopt a change in mindset to enhance livestock productivity and environmental sustainability, through technology.

A participant, Mrs Glandu Sajo, Divisional Livestock Officer (DLO) for Fufore LGA, lauded L-PRES for the training, describing it as timely and impactful.

“We have learned a lot about climate change in relation to livestock production; this workshop has been life-changing and it will certainty improve our productivity,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker

By Dorathy Aninge

Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Managing Director, Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), says that the newly established BIPC Juice/Concentrate Factories will curb post-harvest losses of orange and mango farmers.

Asemakaha stated this on Wednesday in Makurdi during a technical assessment of the newly installed 62,000-litre capacity juice/concentrate machine.

The managing director said the initiative aligns with Gov. Hyacinth Alia’s administration’s economic agenda, which focuses on reviving industries, agricultural value chain and sustainable job creation for the people.

“The concentrate factory will commence operations officially on July 2, while the main juice production line is scheduled to take off in September.

“We are committed to leveraging the state’s abundant agricultural produce to stimulate industrial growth and reduce waste.

“It is also to provide employment opportunities, as this factory is a testament to our dedication to building a productive and self-reliant Benue.

“Producers of orange and mango would be supplying directly to the company from September at the industrial layout in Makurdi.

“I am using this opportunity to call on orchard farmers to increase their production,” he said.

Mr Frank Runge, Managing Director of SONO Group, who conducted the assessment, expressed satisfaction with the level of readiness and quality of machinery installed at the factories.

Runge pledged SONO Group’s continued technical support to ensure a seamless take off and sustainable operation of the facilities.

SONO Group Limited is a multinational firm known for its expertise in industrial-scale juice processing, operations and machinery management.

“We are pleased with what we’ve seen so far; the infrastructure is solid, and we believe that once operations begin, BIPC’s facilities will stand as a model for agro-processing in West Africa,” he stated.

Mr Henry Boager, the maintenance officer of BIPC, carried out a detailed walkthrough of the facility and showcased the various components of the processing lines.

Boager took the team round the facility from the fruit intake stations to extraction, filtration, concentration, pasteurisation and packaging units.

The maintenance officer also demonstrated the technical capacity of the equipment, which he said can boost a production output of 62,000 litres of processed juice per hour.

“Every piece of equipment here has been selected to ensure we can process large volumes within tight timeframes, as this is key to preventing fruit spoilage and enhancing profitability for our local farmers.

“The machines are designed to minimise waste, maximise yield, and operate at high efficiency.

“The factory is a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to industrialise the Benue agricultural sector,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited Peter Amine

By Amina Ahmed

Some women farmers in Bauchi State have expressed concern over the hike in farmland rental rates and input prices as the 2025 cropping season sets in.

They also decried lack of farmers access to extension and agricultural financing services.

A cross-section of the farmers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Bauchi, said the trend was negatively impacting their capacities to produce more.

NAN checks showed that the rental rate ranges between N60,000 and N100,000 per hectare, as against N20,000 and N40,000, during the 2024 season.

NPK brand of fertilisers was sold between N25,000 and N45,000, as against N18,500 and N40,000, depending on its quality.

While Urea fertilisers was also sold between N35,000 and N38,500, as against its previous price of N33,000.

Mrs Rahma Mutashi, a maize grower, said the rise in rental rate was a bad sign to small holder farmers, and discouraged productivity.

She said the trend had forced many farmers to reduce the size of lands to be cultivated as they could not afford exorbitant rates.

“I reduced the size of the land this year to enable me to manage farm expenditure.

“In 2024, I cultivated a two-hectare land, but I can’t afford it anymore,” she said.

Another farmer, Felicia Moses, attributed the hike in rental rate to the increase demand of fertile land, as more people were practicing agriculture.

She blamed landowners for unilateral hike in the rental rates to exploit desperate farmers, adding the trend would negatively impact crop production.

“It is difficult to achieve growth in food production this season in view of the high cost of inputs, labour and rental rates,” she said.

Also, Hajiya Maryam Yalwa, called for early distribution of fertilisers and inputs to the farmers through government agric intervention programmes.

“Last year, the government subsidised fertilisers, and sold to the farmers at N15,000 per bag, as against N21,000 in the open market,” she said.

Reacting, Ibrahim Garba, a landowner, said the rental rates would further go up in view of the increasing demand of lands by individuals, agric and manufacturing companies.

He said the situation was compounded by the farmer population, which was on the increase in the last three years.

This, he said, resulted to competition over agricultural lands and hike in rental rates

“Many families are now cultivating inherited lands collectively to improve food security.

“The trend drastically reduced the availability of land for rent, as even those who previously leased out their plots are now farming on them,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Rabiu  Sani-Ali

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By Felicia Imohimi

Prof. Eustace Iyayi, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Livestock Development, has revealed that Nigeria requires 1.7 million metric tonnes of milk annually but currently produces only about 600,000 to 700,000 metric tonnes.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja to mark World Milk Day, Iyayi highlighted the significant shortfall in local milk production.

He explained that the deficit forced the country to spend billions of naira annually on imports.

 “The deficit in milk production is substantial, and the cost of importing this gap runs into billions of naira every year.

“These funds could instead be reinvested into our economy by increasing livestock numbers and improving the productivity of our milking animals through backward integration,” he said.

Iyayi urged Nigerians to “embrace dairy” to boost local milk production and availability.

“The 2025 World Milk Day theme, “Let’s Celebrate Dairy,” underscores the importance of dairy products within the livestock value chain and their vital nutritional and economic contributions to the country.

“We must work to eliminate the production gap by upscaling milk yield through improved animal husbandry practices,” Iyayi added.

NAN reports that World Milk Day, established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, is celebrated globally on June 1 to recognise milk’s essential role in nutrition, especially for children.

Milk is critical in combating malnutrition and supporting healthy growth and development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Fabian Ekeruche

The Wild Africa and the World Parrot Trust have called for stronger protection of parrots in Nigeria, as the world celebrates the World Parrot Day.

This is contained in a statement jointly issued by the Nigeria Representatives of the Group on Saturday in Lagos.

The statement said the call had become expedient amid the continued illegal trade of different parrot species.

“The World Parrot Day reminds us of parrots’ crucial role in ecosystems and the need to protect their habitats.

“Originating from various regions across the globe, parrots play a vital role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems by dispersing seeds and helping forests regenerate,” it said.

The group said parrots, especially the African Grey Parrot that was once common in Nigeria’s forests, are quickly disappearing due to decades of trapping and trafficking.

The statement said in spite of the national and international laws protecting parrots, weak enforcement and exotic pet trade had continued to drive illegal activities.

It noted that over 1.2 million wild-caught grey parrots entered international trade in four decades.

The statement said 40-60 per cent die during capture and transport.

“It is estimated that the total number could be as high as three million,” said the statement.

It said that in recent months, Nigeria has recorded positive developments in its fight against the illegal trade of parrots.

“In March 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted over 300 parrot heads, drawing national and international attention to the brutality of the trade.

“In early May, officials from the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the National Park Service (NPS) arrested three suspected wildlife traffickers in Abuja, who were found with live African grey parrots as well as other species.

“Meanwhile, in April, Nigeria Special Wildlife Officers seized 12 live grey parrots that were being transported via bus between Kaduna and Lagos. The rescued parrots are being rehabilitated at Pandrillus Nigeria Drill Ranch,” the statement said.

The statement quoted Dr Mark Ofua, Wild Africa’s West Africa spokesperson as saying that parrots are keystone species.

“Parrots are keystone species, intelligent, social, and ecologically crucial. Their decline reflects the health of entire ecosystems.

“Parrots are more than just brilliant colours and clever mimicry—they are vital ambassadors of our planet’s wild places.

“On the World Parrot Day, let’s honour their intelligence and resilience by protecting the forests they call home and the freedom they deserve.  May we listen, love, and never let their voices fade into silence,” Ofua said.

The statement also quoted Mr Ifeanyi Ezenwa, Nigeria Country Coordinator, World Parrot Trust, as saying that grey parrots are in serious trouble in Nigeria.

“Our research shows that grey parrots in Nigeria are in serious trouble. It’s enormously encouraging to see the intensified efforts by NESREA, NCS, and NPS to stop illegal trade and protect the remaining populations of parrots in the wild.

“However, sadly, many people are still unaware of how the exploitation of parrots is destroying our natural heritage,” he said.

The group noted that Nigeria had taken significant steps to combat the illegal trade of parrots and other protected species by introducing the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill.

It called for the quick passage of the bill to support the ongoing law enforcement efforts.
“In addition, more public education is needed to reduce the demand for parrots as pets.
“Both Wild Africa and World Parrot Trust will continue to advocate stronger conservation policies and initiatives that safeguard Nigeria’s parrots using a combination of radio, TV, billboards, and newspaper publications.

“Wild Africa and the World Parrot Trust call on governments, businesses, and individuals to come together and take meaningful action to protect parrots before it’s too late,” the statement added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma