NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
FG assures farmers of security support
Agriculture

FG assures farmers of security support

127 total views today
By Ibrahim Ahmad
The Federal Government has assured farmers of adequate security to return to their farmlands ahead of this year’s rainy season to boost agricultural activities nationwide.

Minister of State for Defence, Alh. Bello Matawalle, made this known during an interview with journalists in Maradun, Zamafara.

He said forest guards had been deployed to secure farmlands, and modern surveillance technology was being used to monitor and combat criminal activities.

“We are taking all necessary steps to ensure farmers return safely to their farms with full protection from any security threats across the country,” Matawalle stated.

He added that the government plans to develop indigenous defence and warfare systems to address security challenges and potentially supply them to other countries.

Matawalle urged governors to provide logistics support, including accommodation, operational vehicles, and intelligence gathering, to assist in securing rural communities.

He criticised some governors for engaging in blame games rather than supporting Federal Government’s efforts in addressing insecurity.

He stressed that security is everyone’s responsibility and called for public support for President Bola Tinubu’s combined military and non-military strategies to end criminality nationwide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
Revamp of grazing reserves, milk, beef production on course – Ajimobi
Agriculture

Revamp of grazing reserves, milk, beef production on course – Ajimobi

148 total views today

By Akeem Abas

Alhaji Idris Ajimobi, Special Adviser on Livestock Development to President Bola Tinubu, has reminded Nigerians that the nation’s livestock reforms are on course.

Ajimobi, speaking to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday, however, called for unity, more stakeholder engagement and public sensitisation for a successful implementation.

He noted that 50 per cent of the Livestock Ministry’s job was to tackle, by significantly reducing the recurring farmers-herders’ crises across the country.

According to Ajimobi, the son of the late Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, clashes between farmers and herders stem from the lack of clean water and food for livestock.

Ajimobi said the ministry was now involving all stakeholders, having identified past failures of exclusion and poor coordination.

He revealed that Nigeria has over hundred grazing reserves with only the recently launched reserve in Niger functioning.

Ajimobi said that while some of the reserves had become uninhabitable, hence requiring major intervention, the government was interested in reviving them all.

He said that discussions were ongoing with local and foreign partners to revive at least three grazing reserves in the next 18 months.

Ajimobi said that the ministry would also promote local dairy and beef production to reduce importation, while targeting a pack of milk and an egg per day for every child.

He said that Nigerians must be educated to explore the economic opportunities in livestock beyond meat and milk, lamenting the waste of the money-making opportunities in cow by-products.

Ajimobi, acknowledging the current economic pains, urged Nigerians to be patient with the Tinubu-led administration as the gains of ongoing reforms manifest.

He said the ongoing reforms, once set upon a solid foundation, would lead to a fairer system that would benefit many rather than a few privileged ones.

The president’s aide, however, said that farmers must form cooperatives to increase impact, adding that unity among farmers would make them unstoppable.

Ajimobi expressed the desire to serve the people of Oyo State and Nigeria in the future, but remained focused on delivering impactful results in his current role under Tinubu.

“I still have a burning desire to serve the people of Oyo State and Nigeria at large, should the opportunity arise.

“However, for now, I remain fully committed to my current assignment and to delivering a thriving livestock sector better than what we have today,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Moses Solanke

Ebonyi Govt. offsets N300m IFAD-VCDP counterpart fund—Commissioner
Agriculture

Ebonyi Govt. offsets N300m IFAD-VCDP counterpart fund—Commissioner

180 total views today

By Chukwuemeka Opara

The Ebonyi Government says it has paid off its N300 million counterpart fund to the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) from 2023.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku, disclosed this in Abakaliki during a pre-mission stakeholders’ meeting on VDCP project performance evaluation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise was conducted by IFAD’s Independent Evaluation Office.

Iyioku said that the government released N100 million for the counterpart fund in 2023 and N200 million in 2024.

“The counterpart fund for 2025 will be released soon as the state government is happy with the performance of IFAD–VCDP in the state.

“IFAD–VCDP has greatly contributed in enhancing agriculture in the state and the state government is always ready to collaborate with it,” she said.

The commissioner expressed optimism that the evaluation team would rate Ebonyi first among the other states earmarked for the evaluation, which includes Nasarawa and Niger.

“We are not competing with anyone but we have done enough to deserve the top spot,” she said.

She appealed to IFAD–VCDP to extend its operations in the state to 13 local government areas, instead of the current eight.

“Stakeholders from the remaining five LGAs have been clamouring for inclusion in IFAD’s operations and we can’t keep assuring them,” she said.

The leader of the IFAD pre-mission team, Usman Damata, said the evaluators operated independently to ascertain if IFAD had achieved its objectives or not.

Damata said that evaluators’ reports were not disclosed to anyone, except the IFAD board itself.

“We at the National Office are happy that they chose Ebonyi for evaluation because we know the good things the state is doing.

“We are optimistic that they will have good assessment to make on Ebonyi.

“The report on Ebonyi will have effect on what is happening in the South-East zone, especially Anambra and Enugu, and also on Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

The state’s IFAD-VCDP Programme Manager, Mr Sunday Ituma, said the meeting was to share with stakeholders and farmers the responses provided for the questions they would be asked during the evaluation.

“This will enable them take a cue from the responses because whatever they answer is what the evaluators will take.

“All we seek is fair assessment and criticism and not what is not true about us,” he said.

NAN reports that goodwill messages were delivered at the event by the state’s Ministry of Finance, House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, as well as agro dealers, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mark Longyen

Eid-el-Kabir: Taraba traditional ruler tasks subjects on agri-business devt.
Agriculture

Eid-el-Kabir: Taraba traditional ruler tasks subjects on agri-business devt.

131 total views today

By Martins Abochol

His Royal Highness, Idris Chiroma, the Emir of Gassol, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba, has advised his people to adopt farming as a means of economic empowerment.

Chiroma gave the advice on Saturday in his Sallah massage to the people of Gassol.

The royal father noted that agriculture was the main sector that was still open to all as a source of economic empowerment and urged the people to put in their best efforts in tilling the vast arable land in the area.

According to him, the land is available, and there are also friendly laws guiding agricultural practices in the state.

He, therefore, advised the youths to shun all social vices and extremism and key into the agricultural transformation vision of Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba.

Chiroma also advised residents to ensure peaceful coexistence and imbibe the spirit of tolerance and unity during and after the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The traditional ruler emphasised that Islam was a religion of peace, and so the Almighty God would punish all those perpetrating evil using His name. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

VC advocates agroecology to boost nation’s food security
Agriculture

VC advocates agroecology to boost nation’s food security

151 total views today

By Peter Okolie

Prof. Christopher Eze, Vice Chancellor of University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Imo, has advocated the adoption of agroecology to boost food production and ensure national food security.

 

Eze made the call at a one-day sensitisation workshop on MSc Agroecology and Food System programme at the institution’s campus in Umuagwo near Owerri on Friday.

 

The Vice Chancellor said embracing smart agriculture and modern farming techniques would enhance crop yields and improve the country’s agricultural sector.

 

He said Nigeria and West Africa’s horticulture and forests are faced with challenges like low soil fertilities, nutrient deficiencies, weed pressure, irrigation system and salination, pest and disease, among others.

 

“Agroecology practices can help overcome these issues and optimise nutrients and carbon balance, improving soil fertility, aggregate stability, water holding capacity, organic matter nutrient availability and PH regulation in a most harmless manner to the soil.

 

“Our farming system needs a comprehensive resetting, incorporating animal manure management, mulch forage legumes to improve crop yields and address challenges like soils erosion, climate change and biodiversity losses,” he noted.

 

Eze said an MSc in Agroecology would not only improve quality of food and lives, but would provide agricultural stakeholders with knowledge, skills and competencies in the field of agroecological approaches and advanced technologies in the agricultural system.

 

He commended the Visitor of the University and Governor of Imo, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, for his visionary leadership, foresight and unparalleled support to the institution over the years.

 

He said the university which was established in 2020 had gained international collaborations resulting in two European Union (EU) funded projects in the university – the Digital Solution to Agriculture (DIGISOL) and the Agrecofarm project.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prof. Emmanuel Onweremadu, delivered a keynote paper entitled “Innovation in AgrecoFarm: A sine qua non for food security, environmental sustainability and land degradation neutrality,” at the occasion.

 

Onweremadu, a professor of soil science and technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, stated that land, population, poverty, and environmental degradation are linked to food insecurity, reduced nutritional value, and biodiversity decline.

 

He further expressed concerns over the alarming rate of physical, chemical and biological degradation affecting tropical soils in the country, calling for a reverse of the situation for improved and quality food production.

 

Speaking on an “Overview of the MSc Agroecology and Food Systems programme” at the university, Prof. Rose Nwabueze, said the programme was developed under the Agrecofarm project.

 

Nwabueze said Agrecofarm project was co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union Commission.

 

According to her, the project is funding capacity building in higher education institutions in three West African countries – Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

 

“The core idea is to engage in applied research in agroecology techniques for sustainable agricultural productions, reset farming system, and create environmentally friendly farming system that benefits people and the planet,” she noted.

 

NAN further reports that a third paper entitled “Career Path in Agroecology: A roadmap to sustainable agriculture and food security,” was delivered by Prof. Anthony Onyekuru from the university.

 

The International Coordinator of the programme, Prof. Pietro Picuno, who joined the workshop virtually, expressed optimism that the programme would ensure the survival of agricultural projects and help improve agricultural techniques in Nigeria and West Africa.

 

In an interview, the Coordinator of the programme in the institution, Dr Vitus Enwerem, said the programme is aimed at boosting governments’ efforts at sustainable food security in the country.

 

“The programme is introducing sustainable good agronomic practices not just for students to benefit but for rural farmers and farmer associations to equally improve their yields.

 

“The way population is exploding, we need to equally take care of the environment or risk destroying our soil health.

 

“We are calling on students to enroll in the programme as there are lots of prospects including self-employment after study,” Enwerem, who is also the Associate Dean of the Postgraduate School of the university, stated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Digital farmers’ registry ‘ll enhance food systems transformation – Stakeholders
Agriculture

Digital farmers’ registry ‘ll enhance food systems transformation – Stakeholders

184 total views today

By Felicia Imohimi

Stakeholders in the Agriculture sector have identified a unified National Digital Farmers Registry (NDFR) as pivotal to scaling up innovative technology for enhanced food system.

The stakeholders include Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Heifer International and other partners.

Dr Lekan Tobe, Country Director, Heifer International, Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja, said a sustainable digital farmers registry was pivotal for an efficient and effective food system.

According to him, this will avoid duplication of intervention by different actors.

Tobe, in his presentation tagged, “Towards a NDFR in Nigeria: How Might We Work Together?” said that it would also promote harmony and synergy in the delivery of digitally enabled services.

“It will ensure data driven decision making system to support targeted advisory, access to services, financial support information, integrated solutions considering the ecosystem and the available solutions among others,” he said.

He identified the context of the registry project as supporting improved coordination among food system actors for better deployment of resources including infrastructure.

The country director emphasised that equitable distribution of agricultural solutions would be achieved through a well-functioning NDFR among others.

Similarly, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, described NDFR as the foundation for evidence-based planning, targeted intervention, policy making and accountability in the agricultural ecosystem.

According to him, NDFR allows us to identify and reach the real farmers with the right support, eliminate inefficiency, and ensure that resources are aligned with national priorities.

“With a credible farmers’ registry, we can ensure that inputs reaching the intended beneficiaries that support programmes, are tailored to the actual needs of our farmers and that government interventions yield the desired impact.

“Moreover, it will empower financial institutions, agribusinesses, insurers, and other stakeholders to engage with our farmers with clarity, confidence, and precision,” he said.

In the same vein, IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue said the dialogue was geared toward kick starting the process of NDFR that would be domiciled at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Ekoue, who identified partnership as key to ensuring effective implementation of NDFR, solicited stakeholders’ partnership with the government to put in place a strong registry.

She noted that data was the foundation for everything; from policy to investment as it provide farmers with the best solution, adding that the registry would be a game changer.

According to her, NDFR initiative will be implemented by IFAD digital innovation action plan in collaboration with other stakeholders.

“The initiative will include comprehensive profiles of farmers, covering their farms, crop types, locations, financial status, soil types and production scales.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Deborah Coker

Niger, AGRA train 1,000 women, youths on livestock production
Agriculture

Niger, AGRA train 1,000 women, youths on livestock production

169 total views today

By Rita Iliya
The Niger Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has trained 1,000 youths and women on livestock production to boost animal production in the state.

Mr Jonathan Wasa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, said this during the livestock entrepreneurship training for youths across Niger.

Wasa, who was represented by Abbas Mohammed, Director of Animal Production in the ministry, said the training was in partnership with Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

He said that 50 beneficiaries would be trained in the first phase with two persons selected from each of the 25 local government areas of the state.

“We decided to synergise with AGRA to train our women and youths to change their mindset in animal rearing to improve livestock production in the state.

“The aim is to transform our food system, support smallholder farmers as well as make our youths self-reliant,” he said.

The permanent secretary added that the training was also for the beneficiaries to get acquainted with the realities on ground.

“The plan was that the beneficiaries would be empowered financially and given basic tools and materials to start up livestock production,” Wasa said.

Speaking, Dr Matthew Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Agriculture, advised the beneficiaries to acquire skills on livestock production that would be beneficial to them.

In his remarks, Mr Godswill Aguiyi, the Programme Officer of AGRA in Niger, advised the beneficiaries to see the training as an opportunity to venture into businesses and enhance the agricultural sector.

He said that the aim of the training was to transform the food system, support smallholder farmers and help the youths become self-reliant.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training covered topics such as livestock production economics, business and pasture developments. (NAN)

Edited by Chidi Opara

Adamawa Govt., L-PRES train 120 farmers on livestock productivity, climate change
Agriculture

Adamawa Govt., L-PRES train 120 farmers on livestock productivity, climate change

170 total views today

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

Benue juice/concentrate factories will curb post-harvest losses – Official
Agriculture

Benue juice/concentrate factories will curb post-harvest losses – Official

371 total views today

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

FG, FAO partner to boost fish production in Nigeria
Agriculture

FG, FAO partner to boost fish production in Nigeria

178 total views today
By Abiodun Lawal
The Federal Government in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has unveiled a N200 million support initiative to boost aquaculture in Nigeria.
The initiative is also expected to help meet the country’s annual fish demand.
Mr Wellington Omoragbon, Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, spoke at the inauguration of Scaling Fish Farming through Finance (Access to input finance under the FISH4ACP project), at Eriwe Fish Farming Cluster in Odogbolu, Ogun State.
Omoragbon, represented by Mr Paul Opuama, Director 11 at the ministry, said the initiative was aimed at promoting the sustainability of Nigeria’s fisheries resources.
He lauded FAO and other  development partners for supporting Nigeria to improve on its fish production capacity.
He disclosed that Nigeria, with its enormous water bodies, should be able to harness these resources to improve on fish production.
Omoragbon explained that the challenge of access to finance, with reference to the skyrocketing cost of feeds, was a major difficulty that fish farmers had to battle with in the country.
 “We know that one of the major challenges confronting the fish farmers is finance with skyrocketing price of feeds.
“But with partnership like this, we shall be able to support our farmers and bridge the fish production deficit,” he said.
In his remarks, the representative of FAO in Nigeria and West Africa, Mr Koffy Kouacou, called for action to end the annual two million metric tonnes of fish import in the country.
He explained that the project, funded by the European Union in collaboration with other development partners, was primarily to make funding more accessible for fish farmers to boost fish production in the country.
He said that under the pilot scheme of the project, 40 fish farmers would collect between N2.5 million and N5 million, totaling about N200 million to upscale their fish farming business and production.
“We are supporting 40 pilots, each pilot farmer will receive between N2.5 million and N5 million to boost their production,” he said.
He disclosed that the essence of the initiative was to strengthen the fish farmers capacity to produce more fish locally, create more business opportunities in the aquaculture and help end fish importation in the country.
“So, we are here at Eriwe Fish Cluster in collaboration with both Ogun and Federal Government and the partnering financial institutions to launch this project.
“It will help the farmers to access required finance to upscale their fish farming business and cover the deficit of fish production in the country”.
The Programme Manager, Agriculture, European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Mr Hugh Briggs, said that the FISH4ACP project was being implemented in 12 countries of the world with Nigeria getting the lion’s share of the grant.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, lauded FAO and other development partners for the initiative.
Owotomo, represented by the Director of Fisheries Department, Victoria Ojelade, appealed that similar gesture be extended to other fish clusters in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email