By Fabian Ekeruche

A female-led non-government organisation (NGO), Great Brave Women (GBW), has trained over 420 girls in agricultural and environmental practices across eight Lagos schools.

Alhaja Omotayo Atoba, Lagos State Coordinator of GBW, disclosed that the gesture was part of a growing initiative to empower the next generation of female leaders in agriculture.

Atoba, who doubles as the state coordinator for Nigerian Women in Agriculture, praised the women behind the programme.

“What you see here today is the result of collective passion and sacrifice. I firmly believe that when you train a woman, you train a nation.

“We need support—from the state government, local government chairmen, and the private sector—to expand this impactful work,” Atoba said.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Yetunde Olaniyan, a dedicated farmer, said that the NGO was committed to reshaping the narrative around farming while nurturing the potential of the female child.

Olaniyan, an accountant with expertise in eight branches of agriculture, said “we started the training sessions in June this year.

 “Our goal is to engage the girls meaningfully, imparting practical skills in areas like poultry, aquaculture, crop farming, and even handcrafts.

“An idle hand, as we all know, is the devil’s workshop. We’re teaching them how to make good use of their leisure and discover viable livelihood paths,” Olaniyan said.

She said that the programme reached students in six public and two private schools, combining practical demonstrations with environmental education.

She added that the girls participated in a quiz competition to assess their knowledge retention and understanding of core topics.

She noted that they learnt how to apply sustainable practices—such as using wastewater from aquaculture to irrigate crops and poultry waste as organic manure—reinforcing the concept of “waste to wealth.”

She explained that the initiative culminated in a recognition ceremony celebrating outstanding participants.

She added that as part of the empowerment phase, selected students received practical starter kits, including live catfish with feeds, hens with poultry feed, watering cans, and eco-friendly pesticides—tools to kickstart their agricultural journeys.

“This effort is fully powered by the individual contributions of our women farmers, without any external support.

 “We call on the government and well-meaning individuals to partner with us to scale this initiative and reach even more girls.”

One of the students, Dorcas Olaniyan, shared her experience, saying, “Agriculture has taught me that nothing is wasted.

“Whether it’s farming or another skill, I urge fellow students to embrace learning and make the most of every opportunity.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that GBW plans to continue the training when schools resume in September, setting a new standard for grassroots, gender-focused agricultural education in Nigeria.

Goodwill messages were sent by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and other senior government officials. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

By Sylvester Thompson

Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has pledged collaboration with the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) on agriculture and biotechnology to foster socioeconomic development of the state.

Namadi made the pledge when he visited the agency in Abuja.

The governor said that biotechnology research and development was key to the socioeconomic development of any nation.

Namadi requested for improved seeds for Jigawa, adding that as an agrarian state, its farmers required cutting edge science and technologies to boost their productivity.

He said that agriculture had the highest budget next to education.

“No fewer than 80 to 90 per cent of our people are farmers and for any government to succeed in Jigawa State, it must take agriculture seriously.

“Anybody that wants to grow in the sector Jigawa must take improved seeds into consideration,” he said.

The governor said it was essential that the nation’s farmers had access to high quality and high yielding seeds.

He said for Nigeria to overcome the challenge of food production, finding a solution to chemical fertiliser was imperative.

Namadi, who said he was delighted to learn about NBRDA’s activities, added that he would facilitate a NBRDA presentation during one of the Governors Forum meetings.

He identified other areas of collaboration to include enhancing soil fertility and training of extension workers.

Other areas of interest, he said, were fishery, livestock production, clean energy and biogas.

Earlier, Mustapha, the NBRDA D-G, led the governor through a presentation on operations of the agency.

Mustapha said the agency has four strategic departments including agricultural biotechnology, industrial, environmental and medical.

He said it was unfortunate that agriculture in the country had not delivered on expectations due to lack of quality seeds, pest and diseases, climate change and post- harvest losses.

He said that such problems hampered the growth of agriculture.

He explained that the agency had done a lot with focus on improving crop yield and soil resilience and enhancing soil fertility and management.

“We also offer climate smart agriculture,” he told Namadi. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Felicia Imohimi

The National Food Systems Task Team, in partnership with stakeholders, has unveiled Nigeria’s first comprehensive report mapping the involvement of over 6,000 young people in the country’s food systems.

The report was launched during the maiden Youth in Food Systems Convening in Abuja on Wednesday.

It was themed, “Empowering the Future: Unleashing Youth Potential for Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation in Nigeria”.

Mr Azeez Salawu, National Youth Lead for the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) Nigeria, called the launch “the beginning of a new era defined by youth-led transformation of our food systems”.

“This report is a blueprint for action, a compass for investment, and a call for systems-level reform.

“It is a space to convene voices, spotlight success, reward excellence, and ignite bold partnerships, “Salawu said.

He noted that this is the first large-scale effort by Nigeria to document the diverse roles and contributions of young people across the country’s food systems.

“Youth are leading across all segments, from production to policy, from innovation to investment. Over 50 per cent of those surveyed are managing agribusiness ventures.

“Yet, key challenges include access to land, finance, storage infrastructure, and market linkages,” he said.

He added that Nigerian youth are innovating in climate-smart agriculture, digital platforms, processing technologies, and supply chains.

“This report is not staying within these four walls. Next week, Nigeria will showcase it at the UNFSS Stocktaking Moment in Ethiopia.

“It signals that Nigeria is serious about youth empowerment, not just through rhetoric, but with evidence-based programming, investment and policy,” Salawu said.

He likened the report to a seed and the convening to fertile soil, stating: “The time to water them with investment, trust, and opportunity is now”.

Dr Sanjo Faniran, National Convenor of UNFSS Nigeria, noted that the future of Nigeria’s food systems rests on its youth, who make up 60 per cent of the population.

“Unlocking youth potential is not just a development priority but a national imperative.

“This report highlights youth not just as participants, but as trailblazers, from producers and processors to marketers, researchers and innovators,” Faniran said.

According to him, the mapping provides evidence to guide implementation and accountability as Nigeria prepares for the UNFSS+4 process.

Presenting the report findings, Mr Adekunle Adeoye, Youth Representative on the National Task Team, said the study focused on youths aged 15 to 45 and assessed their engagement across the agricultural value chain.

He said the study aimed to document youth-centric innovations, examine constraints shaping participation, and inform inclusive, pragmatic policy responses.

“Though national policies promote youth entrepreneurship in agriculture, there is limited empirical evidence on actual youth participation. This report fills that gap,” Adeoye said.

He recommended designing support programmes that reflect the diversity of agribusinesses and address existing barriers to help scale youth-led innovations. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

By Ahmed Kaigama

Some farmers in Bauchi have expressed concern over the high cost of fertilisers this cropping season.

They said the trend had forced most farmers to abandon cultivation of maize and rice to crops that require minimal or no fertiliser application.

A cross section of the farmers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi, called for proactive measures to guard against the food crisis in the country.

A NAN check in Bauchi Central and Muda Lawal Markets showed that fertiliser prices had shot up by about 15 per cent since the commencement of the cropping season.

A 50 kilogramme bag of NPK brand of fertilisers was sold between N30,000 and N60,000 as against N23,000 and N50,000, at the beginning of the cropping season.

Urea brand of the commodity was sold between N47,000 and N50,000, as against its old price of NN35,000, depending on its quality.

Mr Audu Simon, a maize grower, said most farmers have opted for crops which require less or no fertiliser application like millet, sorghum, soybean, groundnut and beans,

He said that it was no longer viable for the farmers to grow rice and maize in view of the exorbitant fertiliser prices.

“We sold our produce at a loss last season, and we can’t afford fertiliser prices now,” he said.

Hajiya Marka Abass, Spokesperson, Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), said the trend had forced most women farmers to abandon maize and rice cultivation and embrace vegetable production.

She attributed the hike in fertiliser prices to lack of its availability in spite of various interventions by the state and federal governments.

Also, Usman Umar, a member of the All Farmers’Association of Nigeria (AFAN), advocated for proactive measures to regulate fertiliser prices in the country.

“We need urgent intervention, if this continues, its implications on national food security will be severe,” he said.

Dr Aliyu Gital, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, said the Bauchi Fertiliser Blending Company had increased its production capacity to meet the growing demand and enhance farmer access to the commodity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki

By Abigael Joshua

Mr Abdullahi Ango, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has expressed concern over the declining population of bees, calling it a major threat to the ecosystem.

Ango, who is also Chairman of the Technical Committee of the FCT Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, made the remarks at the 2025 World Bee Day celebration in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT Agriculture Secretariat, in collaboration with the ACReSAL Project, commemorated the day under the theme: “Bee Inspired to Nourish Us All”.

Represented by Mrs Anne Ijeoma, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Ango said the theme aptly reflects the essential role bees play in nutrition and agriculture.

“Scientific evidence has shown that bees are indispensable to human survival, pollinating over 75 per cent of food crops and supporting the livelihoods of millions of farmers and ecosystems,” he said.

He noted that albeit their important ecological role, bees face increasing threats from habitat destruction, harmful pesticides, climate change, and unsustainable farming practices.

Ango further outlined apiculture, the practice of beekeeping, as a vital commercial enterprise with vast potential, especially in rural communities endowed with forest resources.

“Honey, beeswax, and other by-products represent significant sources of income and employment. Our goal is to promote pollinator-friendly practices that safeguard bee populations and ensure food security,” he said.

Earlier, Mrs Caroline Opara, FCT Project Coordinator of the ACReSAL Project, said the celebration aimed to promote apiculture as a sustainable livelihood and a strategy for environmental conservation.

“We also seek to engage schools, youth groups, farmers, and forestry stakeholders in pollinator-friendly practices while fostering collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector on bee conservation,” she added.

Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Park Service (NPS), represented by Assistant Conservator-General (AC-G) Oladipo Cornelius, described bees as nature’s tireless workers, contributing greatly to biodiversity and ecological balance.

“The NPS provides secure habitats for wild bees and other pollinators, supporting natural regeneration in forests, savannahs, and wetlands,” Goni said.

Also speaking, Dr Ama Moses, Director of Forestry at the Federal Ministry of Environment, represented by Mr Okunuga Mathew, Chief Forest Superintendent, urged participants to safeguard the environment and promote biodiversity by protecting bees.

Mrs Obianuju Okpo, representing the Nigerian Apiculture Platform, said bees not only nourish the ecosystem but also play a vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s food security system.

The 2025 observance of World Bee Day, originally marked on May 20, was rescheduled to July 22 in Nigeria due to the 2nd anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

NAN reports that as part of the event, assorted seedlings of pollinator-friendly tree species were distributed for planting in homes and farmlands. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

By Doris Esa

The Federal Government says Nigeria currently produces about 1.35 million metric tonnes of soybeans annually, just half of the country’s domestic demand.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the National Soybean Production and Expansion Policy and Strategy.

According to the minister, the new policy targets annual industry revenue of N3.9 trillion and the creation of one million farm and off-farm jobs across 22 states and the FCT.

He said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which placed agriculture at the heart of economic transformation.

“Nigeria produces approximately 1.35 million metric tonnes of soybeans annually, yet national demand exceeds 2.7 million metric tonnes.

“This supply gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity to expand production, strengthen processing capacity, and create jobs,” Kyari said.

He described soybeans as a nutritional powerhouse, noting its 40 per cent high-quality protein content and essential amino acids, crucial in fighting malnutrition and improving diets.

Kyari also emphasised Nigeria’s advantage in the global market, citing the country’s naturally non-GMO soybeans, which were in high demand across Europe and Asia.

“By boosting local production, we reduce dependence on imported feed, support our poultry and aquaculture industries, and build a resilient, self-sufficient food system,” he added.

The minister officially inaugurated the Nigerian Soybean Partnership, which he said would bring together federal and state governments, private sector players, and farmer cooperatives to drive implementation.

Also speaking, Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State described the policy inaugurated as “historic” and transformative.

He said it would reposition Nigeria as a global agricultural powerhouse and stimulate rural development.

“This is more than a policy; it’s a national transformation that promises prosperity and hope.

“Benue, the food basket of the nation, stands at the centre of this vision,” Alia said.

He announced that Benue’s Soybean Seed Multiplication and Distribution Programme would benefit more than 200,000 farmers in the next three years, increasing yields from 1.2 to 3 metric tonnes per hectare. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Abiemwense Moru

By Doris Esa

The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Palm Oil Traceability System (NaPOTS) Framework and inaugurated a 16-member Inter-Agency Committee to implement it.

NaPOTS aims to improve product quality, promote sustainability, support climate-smart practices, and position Nigerian palm oil for competitive markets both domestically and internationally.

Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday in Abuja, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, called the inauguration a major milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.

Represented by Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Kyari emphasised that the inter-agency committee would design and oversee the Palm Oil Traceability Roadmap, coordinating efforts across multiple stakeholders.

He noted that the initiative aligned with the ministry’s National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), which prioritised innovation, sustainability, and market-driven value chains.

“This traceability framework demonstrates our commitment to food safety, market transparency, and economic resilience under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

“It modernises value chains, boosts global competitiveness, and encourages responsible production throughout the oil palm sector,” he said.

Kyari added that traceability would increase consumer confidence by eliminating adulteration, ensuring compliance with national and international quality standards, and enhancing Nigeria’s appeal in industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

He also highlighted the crucial role of smallholder farmers, who produced more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s palm oil, and stated, “A traceability framework is a critical bridge to formal markets.”

Mr Kene Onukwube, Programme Manager for Solidaridad Nigeria, welcomed the framework’s integration, noting that it would add efficiency across production, processing, and marketing in the palm oil sector.

Onukwube lauded Solidaridad’s contribution, including climate-smart oil palm farming initiatives in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Enugu, and Kogi States, and said the framework came with policies to drive sustainable implementation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru