tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91496656925472283552024-03-29T00:47:29.433-07:00FoodFarmNewsFood Farm News is a Print and Electronic media in Agriculture and Agro-Allied matters.food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.comBlogger4515125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-2346007697071444942024-03-26T00:43:00.000-07:002024-03-29T00:46:58.190-07:00 Fg Allocates N1.6 Billion Relief Fund to Combat Ginger Blight Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2csXSVJcMZOHvX2S16cA5U2XrsnlKX0xy9o04_0YTDnizTODa3Eax_2x5tXrVAl29_a8o1_muVlJ93OvGYwHHDDiiKeSENFE3lK34o3oIMSXCKErdSa32LRNX1jgEiW4YBEUiQe4w1UncZPWxiS-xOM02kl3e7l0HBWBDpgpZBEgAneHrunKn_SzwNdg/s739/images%20(24).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="739" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2csXSVJcMZOHvX2S16cA5U2XrsnlKX0xy9o04_0YTDnizTODa3Eax_2x5tXrVAl29_a8o1_muVlJ93OvGYwHHDDiiKeSENFE3lK34o3oIMSXCKErdSa32LRNX1jgEiW4YBEUiQe4w1UncZPWxiS-xOM02kl3e7l0HBWBDpgpZBEgAneHrunKn_SzwNdg/w640-h360/images%20(24).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The Federal Government of Nigeria has acknowledged the alarming outbreak of a destructive ginger blight epidemic in four states, causing significant losses surpassing N12 billion for ginger farmers.</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Responding to this urgent crisis, the government has established a National Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce and unveiled a N1.6 billion recovery package to aid affected farmers and mitigate the epidemic's impact.</p><p><br /></p><p>During a stakeholder meeting in Abuja, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, underscored the severity of the situation. He outlined the extensive damage inflicted by the fungal disease in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau states, and the Federal Capital Territory, stressing its threat to farmers' livelihoods and Nigeria's status as the world's second-largest ginger producer.</p><p><br /></p><p>Expressing deep concern over the staggering losses, particularly in southern Kaduna, where preliminary estimates exceed N12 billion, Abdullahi highlighted the significant impact on cultivated land, possibly exceeding 70 per cent of total ginger farming areas.</p><p><br /></p><p>To address the immediate needs of affected farmers and revive confidence in the ginger industry, the Federal Government has allocated a N1.6 billion recovery package through the National Agricultural Development Fund. This relief fund aims to offer financial aid to ginger farmers in affected regions, enabling them to recover and rebuild their agricultural ventures.</p><p><br /></p><p>Abdullahi stressed the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding agricultural resources and promoting resilience. He emphasized the necessity for investments in research, extension services, and farmer support systems to ensure a sustainable future for Nigeria's agricultural sector.</p><p><br /></p><p>Heading the newly formed National Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce, Abubakar Abdullahi reaffirmed the severity of the crisis and its adverse effects on the ginger subsector's GDP. He urged strategic interventions to mitigate the epidemic's impact and expedite the recovery process.</p><p><br /></p><p>According to him “The collaboration between government agencies, task forces, and stakeholders is vital for effectively addressing agricultural crises and promoting resilience. By providing timely assistance and targeted interventions, the Federal Government aims to alleviate the plight of ginger farmers and facilitate the recovery of affected communities, ensuring food security and economic prosperity”.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-26714407397945864992024-03-25T13:18:00.000-07:002024-03-25T13:18:12.462-07:00Cassava president speaks on community cooperatives to rebrand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj_5A5YGZM7E-XditUSPnyojt24HpQkJAjZKUPQTI1eELMrx7Q_uPcgD0e0Gv8gWjmXatnY33EeXYT-nvC83Wg4IScijntO-gVBIP87g1s0EJvhcmABGDmf1oGN18oL1WpnzJwwJLJrWQ3C2aSJxVVgAt2HTSU1lccqVjn-j4bt35cFP8l7bUg80WgKo/s4160/IMG_20240325_122942_748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj_5A5YGZM7E-XditUSPnyojt24HpQkJAjZKUPQTI1eELMrx7Q_uPcgD0e0Gv8gWjmXatnY33EeXYT-nvC83Wg4IScijntO-gVBIP87g1s0EJvhcmABGDmf1oGN18oL1WpnzJwwJLJrWQ3C2aSJxVVgAt2HTSU1lccqVjn-j4bt35cFP8l7bUg80WgKo/w400-h300/IMG_20240325_122942_748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> The new president, National Cassava Growers Association ( NCGA), Alhaji Mustapha Othman Bakano has said that his leadership will adopt local community cooperatives strategy to drive the marketing of the produce without much reliance on government funding.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Alh. Mustapha Othman Bakano said that the strategy to achieve down-up community cooperatives approach productivity value chains of cassava derivatives would be effectively achieved through Local Content Private Partnership where all stakeholders are committed to the successful end result of the value chains with government provisions of security and other infrastructure for economic acceleration development with job creation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnz34aW-H_LhByCBX4cnicYHtP-7nWnXndk6Gz_HGpV_W_af5O67vxvcwtVYF7Oeudo8QVaq4jRyaj_NnoStpXFiE9RtLkqpGsIA217h3wu9LvMYmC5kOs1gmZB6vEMnPXFdhne1dt3UmiJLUzEVvMEOANdDKS0nrJQB1GrlGOqO9R_8LTcCUw-pkA4B4/s4160/IMG_20240325_123233_185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnz34aW-H_LhByCBX4cnicYHtP-7nWnXndk6Gz_HGpV_W_af5O67vxvcwtVYF7Oeudo8QVaq4jRyaj_NnoStpXFiE9RtLkqpGsIA217h3wu9LvMYmC5kOs1gmZB6vEMnPXFdhne1dt3UmiJLUzEVvMEOANdDKS0nrJQB1GrlGOqO9R_8LTcCUw-pkA4B4/w300-h400/IMG_20240325_123233_185.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>The president stated all this in a private chat with Foodfarmnews that Nigerians will see a more proactive NCGA with modern driven technology of computers interface to monitor all the volumes of cassava transactions from the local communities to urban centres with an intention of more wealth and job creations especially at the local communities, saying there is nothing government's effort can achieve without an active private sector.</p><p><br /></p><p>According to him " without efficient private sector operations, government policies will keep failing. Down to up approach through a community cooperatives driven approach where communal production of local farmers will be off taken by a private entity for processing to allow them to go back immediately to farming without delay"</p><p><br /></p><p>"Our role as an Association is to uplift the status of our members through private sector involvement marketing to rebrand ourselves to be self reliance with little expectations from the government funding" NCGA president.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-84614244355864675022024-03-25T00:57:00.000-07:002024-03-25T01:09:58.542-07:00Food security: Women ask Government for farmers' safety<p>* stop funding irrelevant projects </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmpolNUy5zAL2W8g0xEGGptrgjcoICUjd2RA3uvMAKRlh24g2bIi78pV9Di5J9qpRav7KP6JRq2mcOphpVj1BSkNyuphI5yoP4zFpLfNtvHpGI2DXTaevkBPE4GZXDNbsyZat3bIcZllxmjWlpOsPCKO3iqKyG75_dKkA4R8sL1hNKKvbe0NIIlz7bcE/s715/images%20(23).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="715" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmpolNUy5zAL2W8g0xEGGptrgjcoICUjd2RA3uvMAKRlh24g2bIi78pV9Di5J9qpRav7KP6JRq2mcOphpVj1BSkNyuphI5yoP4zFpLfNtvHpGI2DXTaevkBPE4GZXDNbsyZat3bIcZllxmjWlpOsPCKO3iqKyG75_dKkA4R8sL1hNKKvbe0NIIlz7bcE/w400-h225/images%20(23).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>In response to the unstoppable soaring food prices in the country, the Small Scale Women Farmers Association of Nigeria ( SWOFON) has urged the Government to stop funding irrelevant agricultural projects, but advised on total ensuring peaceful communities that can protect farmers into more farmings.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>President Fatima Bello Gumi emphasized the urgent need to address the severe impact of the cost of food production in view of subsidy removal on oil in the country.</p><p><br /></p><p>Women agric president stated this last Friday at a press conference held in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria in Abuja.</p><p><br /></p><p>Mrs Bello Gunmi said her association's survey has identified challenges faced by women farmers as including increased transport expenses, high cost of Agricultural inputs and insecurity impeding access to people' farm lands.</p><p><br /></p><p> She added that the yearly inflation has negatively impacted on agricultural produce saying there have been no palliative given by government to any of her association members.</p><p><br /></p><p>Gumi said that “the impact of the current economic hardship and food crisis plus inflation on small scale women farmers in Nigeria butressed the prediction of NBS about food inflation early this year.</p><p><br /></p><p> She said further that " The present high cost of living due to removal of oil subsidies has resulted in an increased transportation expenses for both farm produce and inputs, thereby causing a decline in the food productivity of the small woman farmers in Nigeria. The rising costs of feed and medication for livestock have severely affected small scale women farmers, threatening our ability to sustain our livestock farming operations as no palliative was given to any member of the Association to cushion the effect of present economic hardship"</p><p><br /></p><p>Udeh Nkemdilim Virginia, from the SWOFON National Office, stressed the deteriorating livelihoods of small-scale women farmers and the urgent need for support in accessing quality inputs, agricultural credit, and gender-sensitive approaches to climate change adaptation.</p><p><br /></p><p>Virginia urged the government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity affecting farmers' access to their lands, pointing the need for affordable transportation , access to low-interest credit, and facilitating land ownership for smallholder farmers cooperatives.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-43900917944571770702024-03-25T00:09:00.000-07:002024-03-25T00:13:00.705-07:00NAQS former DG already resumes duty<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYq7tFZROeHJ0C53UvCT5nB839L4HTv9hmJ3nXmtPCHqjcOYfmY-TTS2XQ1NS5riKA7GzkQWuomEscN1Mvz-MtOaXxnFmgkZ9-Svk2uFGPuIcmyRR34Y-hHYOsKBvZ9qLoMlC4yn06Bsh1ADAGaInj66XmwFl0HO5kRSk6tSHvg8gqAn-SwGm5BpiA7o/s675/images%20(22).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="675" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYq7tFZROeHJ0C53UvCT5nB839L4HTv9hmJ3nXmtPCHqjcOYfmY-TTS2XQ1NS5riKA7GzkQWuomEscN1Mvz-MtOaXxnFmgkZ9-Svk2uFGPuIcmyRR34Y-hHYOsKBvZ9qLoMlC4yn06Bsh1ADAGaInj66XmwFl0HO5kRSk6tSHvg8gqAn-SwGm5BpiA7o/w400-h269/images%20(22).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>On the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ( BAT) the former Comptroller General ( CG) of National Agricultural Quarantine Services ( NAQS) Dr. Vincent Isegbe has resumed as the new overall boss of the organization.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>President BAT returns Dr. Isegbe as substantive Director General ( DG) over NAQS based on his previous proactive performance (PPP) while in office till last year December when he officially retired until his new reappointment.</p><p><br /></p><p>While away, his position was on acting capacity by Dr. Godwin Sunday Audu who is also a seasoned officer in the system.</p><p><br /></p><p>Foodfarmnews visit to the Headquarters of NAQS last week Friday revealed that Dr. Isegbe has resumed and is already facing the exigencies that may have occurred while away for just two months.</p><p><br /></p><p>The state house March 7 press release that conveys his appointment reads thus " President Bola Tinubu has approved the reappointment of the Director-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe, to serve in the same capacity for another five-year term in office.</p><p><br /></p><p>The President expects that the Director-General will build on the service's recent performance, after it ranked in the top three agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the efficiency and transparency index by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).</p><p><br /></p><p>Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser ( SA) to the President, Media & Publicity.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-23247335074203545552024-03-21T01:31:00.000-07:002024-03-21T01:31:47.518-07:00GM potato release depends on Biosafety, Varietal Committee approvals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6z8Q0AN606FYQhl2a8W5gkRkq-6fG6H3KFXFHlkMH5sEDO5pvSi-1ERpoC-tWLmzys1ub5WB7YBMDsLvplsJSigfmJc9tGfYyldwiaGWF9yrBS_ZKK0JGPjcl2ak2qa3jXvH-NDybkIZxrNM-zbUV1sHCPBHQXE8xOCxlbS854uMurfzwSqpSh7x-6E/s251/download%20(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6z8Q0AN606FYQhl2a8W5gkRkq-6fG6H3KFXFHlkMH5sEDO5pvSi-1ERpoC-tWLmzys1ub5WB7YBMDsLvplsJSigfmJc9tGfYyldwiaGWF9yrBS_ZKK0JGPjcl2ak2qa3jXvH-NDybkIZxrNM-zbUV1sHCPBHQXE8xOCxlbS854uMurfzwSqpSh7x-6E/s1600/download%20(3).jpeg" width="201" /></a></div><p>Effort to get Genetically Modified ( GM) potato for commercial release and registration in Nigeria against 2025 is on top gear with positive approval from biosafety agency for its environmental safety, a vital condition needed by the National Variety Release Committee for any transgenic variety's registration and commercialization.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>This was contained in a press release made available to Foodfarmnews by AATF communication officer, Mr. Alex Abutu where it was stated that GM potato variety may soon be released into Nigerian markets if it passed the environmental safety test of National Biosafety Management Agency which is a strong criterion for the National Variety Release Committee consideration for registration and release of any transgenic variety into the markets.</p><p><br /></p><p>This particular GM potato variety is transgenic enhanced to fight plight disease that is destroying huge numbers of conventional potato seed varieties, thereby short changing farmers' production and economic earnings.</p><p><br /></p><p>The press statement quoted a director at National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Dr. Charles Amadi as saying that the new GM potato variety is modified to withstand bligh disease that is responsible for over 90 percent potatoes destruction on farmers' fields in Nigeria, adding that the GM potato would soon be released and registered by 2025 after biosafety and National Varietal Release Committee' approvals respectively.</p><p><br /></p><p>Dr. Amadi in the statement is described as the principal investigator, Global Biotechnology Potato Partnership (GBPP) project in Nigeria under the USAID-funded by Feed the Future Project being implemented in 4 countries – Kenya, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nigeria. </p><p><br /></p><p>The press release stated further that " After two years of research work in confinement and multi locations in potato growing belts of Nigeria, because of the uniform results from all locations, we are confident that threats of late blight will be successfully contained in Nigeria with the release of these late blight resistant varieties that will be available in 2025.We just need one more year of regulatory multi location data to present them to the National Biosafety Management Agency for environmental release. If we get the permit for environmental release this year, we will take them to On-farm trials in 2025. If they show consistency of performance across Nigeria we will submit them to the National Varietal Release Committee for consideration and approval after field inspection by the technical sub-committee"</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-21027938667703425792024-03-21T01:14:00.000-07:002024-03-21T01:14:27.944-07:00NABG announces Architect Kabir Ibrahim as new president<p>*Press release</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlphAfhUDFU19KmYxbMPSpt0jdK_vzw1UfvaoIwi0lrBNJfVTQ-sKMKcfN3oBhG3-qptzc7rV2LAdEx96iU1xh1ZaEqjzCtw7Jeyo8nkQpLlnTxZZEsoDBSYISOOpt_KsmxItybn5aQRsWqkhyphenhyphenPmvIKLP9at_n7DMCucnSUHaHydDOnWOV3NOo9uQ5zs/s275/images%20(19).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlphAfhUDFU19KmYxbMPSpt0jdK_vzw1UfvaoIwi0lrBNJfVTQ-sKMKcfN3oBhG3-qptzc7rV2LAdEx96iU1xh1ZaEqjzCtw7Jeyo8nkQpLlnTxZZEsoDBSYISOOpt_KsmxItybn5aQRsWqkhyphenhyphenPmvIKLP9at_n7DMCucnSUHaHydDOnWOV3NOo9uQ5zs/w400-h266/images%20(19).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p dir="ltr">The Nigeria Agricbusiness Group ( NABG) has appointed Architect Kabir Ibrahim as the new president of the organization.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Architect Kabir Ibrahim is presently the All Farmers Farmers' Association of Nigeria ( AFAN) president and he has also been appointed as member of the National working committee that will monitor the performance of National Agricultural Growth Scheme - Agro Pocket ( NAGS-AP) of Federal Government by the Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ibrahim is also the present Board of Trustee ( BOT) chairman, National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria, the handler of the annual Nation's agricutural show usually held in Nasarawa to showcase the country's potential in food productivity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ibrahim is taking over from Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere who died late last year after a brief illness.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The latest press release from the newly appointed president is titled " Nigeria Needs Strong Agricbusiness to Attain Sustainable Food Security: The Need for Agricultural Intelligence Centers and Agricbusiness Incubation Network"</p>
<p dir="ltr">The full text of the subject matters read this " Nigeria has a unique position in Africa’s food system as a country with the largest population and economy in Africa.</p><p dir="ltr"><br />
To be able to sustainably feed its growing population and play her role as the giant of Africa by providing food to many countries in the immediate neighbourhood, and as well remain a veritable market in Africa through her role as the most important player in AfCFTA, then she needs to address the following issues:</p>
<p dir="ltr">1. Embark on the mass education of SHFs(small holder farmers) and potential Agriprenuers on the need to produce food all-year-round by embracing Science, Technologies & innovations,Climate Smart Agricultural production,sustainable value addition,distribution, marketing etc.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">2. Address the issues around the provision of sustainable energy, stemming of insecurity,provision of adequate mechanization,providing sustainable subsidy on agricultural inputs and the evolution of a private sector led veritable commodities exchange.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr">3. Make sufficient effort to make all the Institutions with the cross cutting relations with Agriculture to work efficiently. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><br />
These institutions include, the Nigerian customs, Deparment of Quarantine, SON, NAFDAC, Trade & Investment, Export promotion,environment,<br />
power, science and technology,the CBN, research institutes,food safety Centres of excellence, NALDA, NADF.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The investment necessary to ensure the seamless attainment of the aforementioned milestones may appear daunting but absolutely necessary and thankfully doable with sufficient political WILL.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The prevailing circumstances in Nigeria call for concerted effort from the FGN, the Sub National governments, the private sector and in fact all Nigerians to address the real issues otherwise things will continue to be difficult for all of us.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The highly invaluable resource of Agriculture available to us will be better harnessed by deliberately setting up Agricultural Intelligence Centres( AIC) in all the six geopolitical zones to fast track the attainment of food sufficiency in the relevant staples in the zones and then setting up Agribusiness Incubation Networks(AIN) to train or educate Nigerians of the immense potential of creating mass employment in the agricultural economy far in excess of any other sector in Nigeria"<br /></p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-44395656506317929382024-03-20T23:33:00.000-07:002024-03-20T23:33:58.771-07:00Officials raise apprehension over potency of CBN fertilizers<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKs3cnaBK2nUC5lyOYhSUnbVSHdCGXzGPTG9GXYSsxy5VB4cqcEbB0Jupjw9MNYWge1BCNi4gRMTngNQDNPcYlTMk3gxdHITd8VSb5klBNa1eFbD2cxAIk-JgRVn39uYvPjW_-OtBT0lFobZejwQ3xRinH2QrBNRUqZX2W4NDdtYrPe0wi4xaUXnsDYk/s275/images%20(18).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKs3cnaBK2nUC5lyOYhSUnbVSHdCGXzGPTG9GXYSsxy5VB4cqcEbB0Jupjw9MNYWge1BCNi4gRMTngNQDNPcYlTMk3gxdHITd8VSb5klBNa1eFbD2cxAIk-JgRVn39uYvPjW_-OtBT0lFobZejwQ3xRinH2QrBNRUqZX2W4NDdtYrPe0wi4xaUXnsDYk/w640-h426/images%20(18).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) 2.5million bags of fertilizers being donated to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) very recently may have been facing time expiration integrity with fund excavation logistics challenges. Foodfarmnews news gathered.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso just recently at the Agric Minister's office in Abuja had announced the release of 2.15 million bags of fertilizers valued at over N100 billion to assist farmers across the nation through FMAFS.</p><p>Also a letter of handling over of these agro chemical items has been handed to the FMAFS according to our findings within the ministry.</p><p>Foodfarmnews finding revealed that the fertilizers claimed to have been procured by the nation's apex bank at over N100billion were materials already purchased during the time of the former CBN Governor for the defund anchor program stored across the states for over two years with their potencies as agro chemicals for yield increase already expired. </p><p> </p><p>A confidential source within the FMAFS told us that the potency of all the agro chemicals being promised to the ministry may have expired as they are commodities purchased over two years ago for the defund anchor borrowers program of the former CBN governor, Mr. Emefiele.</p><p><br /></p><p>Another source said that the CBN didn't purchase any agro chemicals but rather relied on the old purchase during the last administration of Governor Emefiele saying those items are already expired.</p><p><br /></p><p>Our sources expressed anxiety over the prolonged storage of the fertilizers which majorly consist of NPK type as they are apprehensive of the agro inputs' efficacy to food production pointing to the likely damages they could cause to our soils ecosystem.</p><p><br /></p><p>Foodfarmnews gathered that the FMAFS is now faced with the fund logistics of how to retrieve all these agro chemical inputs across wherever they are being stored in the country since they are not physically handed over to the ministry.</p><p><br /></p><p>" The fertilizers, originally procured during the tenure of the former Central Bank of Nigeria, Governor, Emefiele, under the Anchor Borrowers Program was distributed nationwide and stored in undisclosed warehouses. However, it is now feared that the prolonged storage may have rendered the fertilizers ineffective and could lead to soil damage if applied by farmers" said our sources.</p><p><br /></p><p>Additionally, there are worries about the financial loss farmers may incur if the expired fertilizers are distributed to them.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-54728561425192355882024-03-19T00:37:00.000-07:002024-03-19T00:37:05.265-07:00Editorial- Food Security without Agric Mechanization Centre <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz3P9bpfpjPe3EK3CJu5lj325QUcwxKQFWIfZ6O6R12F4hXngL9lNY7UG_VgYEdZI-Sh6dBV_gTb7BOyUZmo9qUXKHbxfup1ftTgSaEh7xmkYOqMnT5CteqnNUagXxA69ovway4pRfA9t9jlLDcBopDuoGgrQSpevT9Wm9sO87HOAXNwYdU5jT48CMFk/s668/images%20(17).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="668" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz3P9bpfpjPe3EK3CJu5lj325QUcwxKQFWIfZ6O6R12F4hXngL9lNY7UG_VgYEdZI-Sh6dBV_gTb7BOyUZmo9qUXKHbxfup1ftTgSaEh7xmkYOqMnT5CteqnNUagXxA69ovway4pRfA9t9jlLDcBopDuoGgrQSpevT9Wm9sO87HOAXNwYdU5jT48CMFk/w640-h440/images%20(17).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The recently signed Oronsanye rationalization and merger report by President Tinubu for implementation has no doubt been very timely in view of wastages and duplications of functions with many agencies performing just one function. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><br /><p></p><p>There are many of such instances that have necessitated the Federal Government's ( FG) decision to become more determined in the merging of some agencies together so as to attain cost effective management of the country's resources towards our nation's building particularly as regards food security with mechanized sustainability.</p><p>We are quite in agreement with all these positions of agencies merger by the FG with an exemption to agricultural mechanization centre which in our view has to be reconsidered in order to be allowed to stay on its own under the appropriate ministry for the attainment of sustainable food productivity with best practices and right adaptive implements and tools to reduce drudgery in farming.</p><p>One of such agencies is National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization ( NCAM) saddles with the mandate to ensure local content mechanization equipments that are locally adaptable to every ecology across the nation with specification to crop types. </p><p>The strategic positioning of NCAM under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) reflects the sensitivity of Government to the specific needs of the agency to food security which its movement into another ministry to be specific the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology will alter a lot of the purposes NCAM is meant to achieve through efficient monitoring and certification of agricultural mechanization to food productivity system through technologies availability and transfer as extension engineers to train the trainers for commercial production.</p><p>No doubt this Agency might not have achieved 100% expected standard since its inception in terms of mechanization contributions to food security, but some of its achievements of lately are evidence of more better commitment and service delivery to sustainability of efficient mechanization system that is majorly Agriculture specific which cannot be better situated other than under the FMAFS for it to be more efficient and apt to food security needs like other developing nations having similar centres.</p><p>And all these are achievable with the strong political support of the Government to give the agency the impetus to perform to its capacity as strongly advocated by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Bornu state who pleaded to the FG to allow NCAM be in view of what he saw during his visit to the centre.</p><p>The idea of taking NCAM to Federal Ministry of Science and Technology may sound great to those that are not properly informed of the needed support of this Agency to mechanized farming in Nigeria with evidence of similar centres in Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, India and Philippines where they are actually advancing their food security situation in a progressive manner, and which Nigeria cannot be an exception if actually she determined to achieve success in its renewed hope in the sector. </p><p>It is on this basis we are calling on the implementation committee of this FG merger to ensure more consultation before final decision that will not negate on food security in the country that is obviously begging for more support in the mechanized farming and increased utilization of locally invented tools and equipment that are very adaptable to our ecosystem with proper monitoring of the imported Agricultural equipments into the country which is the mandate of NCAM.</p><p><br /></p><p> </p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-29144439097695502452024-03-15T00:56:00.000-07:002024-03-15T00:56:49.191-07:00NAGS- AP: Oyo AFAN chairman calls for unity<p> *Agric palliative intact </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDn4slHTg2VGvFHzq0MwNKvKE9diBYgJhcDYCw6tHhbCmiHmIgPuK3kBOBqcOj205HCh-Aq_nQ_2gsctI7kg69elN_-54jEP4714LmWyHI3PpCeDl7GlyNC_e0AWV8EYjHvTvDj1Wq7tCW37jJQWvj1KlNbd0g8M7SbDRkxE_8qC8Yv38mboegiYsbE74/s4160/IMG_20240312_140134_783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDn4slHTg2VGvFHzq0MwNKvKE9diBYgJhcDYCw6tHhbCmiHmIgPuK3kBOBqcOj205HCh-Aq_nQ_2gsctI7kg69elN_-54jEP4714LmWyHI3PpCeDl7GlyNC_e0AWV8EYjHvTvDj1Wq7tCW37jJQWvj1KlNbd0g8M7SbDRkxE_8qC8Yv38mboegiYsbE74/w480-h640/IMG_20240312_140134_783.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><p>The nominated Oyo All Farmers Association of Nigeria ( AFAN) chairman Engr. Olumide Ayinla into Federal Government ( FG) inputs monitoring program has said he will use the nomination to mobilize for unity among farmers towards commercial food availability to stem down prices as only genuine farmers will be given the inputs.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Engr. Olumide Ayinla is his Molete, Ibadan office told Foodfarmnews that he is already using the nomination to bring together all other farmers' groups in the state adding he has already had meeting with the prominent group called " Baale Agbe" with positive result to ensure effective monitoring of the real farmers getting the subsidized agricultural inputs.</p><p><br /></p><p>He promised that meeting with other farmers' cooperative groups across the local government towards successful monitoring of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme - Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) towards food security in the state would continue unabated.</p><p><br /></p><p>According to him " we have just held a meeting with the Baale Agbe and there was a good success towards inclusive farmers' unity towards getting their rights.I am promising you the meeting with other stakeholders will continue to achieve united farmers in the state towards food security"</p><p><br /></p><p>The President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria ( AFAN) Architect Kabir Ibrahim has signed the letter of Oyo state chairman nomination after the authority given unto him by the Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari being also appointed as national working committee member.</p><p><br /></p><p>Meanwhile, theAgribussiness Development Agency(OYSADA) General Manager (GM) Mr. Olusola Popoola has said all the palliatives sent by the National Care Program of the Federal Government ( FG) to registered farmers since 2014 are very intact depending the outcome of a five man committee set up to look into the matter as a result of a petition written against why the materials have not been distributed to enhance food security in the state.</p><p><br /></p><p>Foodfarmnews finding from the General Manager of OYSAP, Mr. Olusola Popoola revealed that the items sent are initiative of defunct Fadama 111 program of 2014 which were just being sent through NigeriaCare (N care) program to farmers that registered their names way back then in 2014.</p><p><br /></p><p>Mr. Popoola pointed out that all efforts to get to the initial registered farmers in whose names those items were sent from Abuja proved abortive, and that was the reason of the delayed distribution adding all the items are still complete in the warehouse at Apata, Ibadan.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-2293022514252749842024-03-15T00:21:00.000-07:002024-03-21T00:44:51.459-07:00 Tomato Conference Set to Transform Nigerian Tomato Sector, Asserts TOPAN President Oyeleke Bola<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMqO-dQYm9jO1tEHP5mZNvtV599bvL4wYwIUS-Jtzon6dRNIZyLNfTTcoE0xLi3jz9dmLW9xQavMuUuc7lb2-YZhjEF50PHee6PTsgBz68YFVNGwIutAyz28Uulu_PhSTGGrqa4eSrKza8kNVeAgT49xJddGNlOLWr_nbQ8z6pO-U-jSFwe3oaBGw1M3k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1229" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMqO-dQYm9jO1tEHP5mZNvtV599bvL4wYwIUS-Jtzon6dRNIZyLNfTTcoE0xLi3jz9dmLW9xQavMuUuc7lb2-YZhjEF50PHee6PTsgBz68YFVNGwIutAyz28Uulu_PhSTGGrqa4eSrKza8kNVeAgT49xJddGNlOLWr_nbQ8z6pO-U-jSFwe3oaBGw1M3k=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>In a groundbreaking statement, Oyeleke Bola, President of the Tomatoes and Orchard Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN), has emphasized the transformative potential of the upcoming Tomato Conference for Nigeria's tomato industry. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a>The conference, aimed at addressing the critical challenges and opportunities within the sector, is poised to initiate a new era of productivity and sustainability in tomato production across the nation.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>According to Bola, the conference will serve as a pivotal platform for stakeholders, including farmers, investors, researchers, and policymakers, to converge and deliberate on innovative strategies to enhance the tomato value chain. The event's agenda includes discussions on advanced agricultural practices, pest and disease management, access to markets, and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies in tomato farming.</p><p><br /></p><p>Nigeria, despite being one of Africa's largest tomato producers, has faced significant hurdles in achieving its full potential due to issues such as post-harvest losses, limited access to quality seeds, and fluctuating market prices. Bola believes that the Tomato Conference will be instrumental in addressing these challenges, thereby reshaping the sector for increased efficiency and profitability.</p><p><br /></p><p>Moreover, the conference is expected to advocate for supportive government policies that would further boost the sector's growth. Initiatives such as the provision of subsidies for inputs, the establishment of processing facilities, and the implementation of favorable trade policies are among the key areas of focus.</p><p><br /></p><p>Bola's vision for the conference extends beyond immediate solutions; he anticipates the cultivation of long-term partnerships that will sustain the sector's growth and ensure food security in Nigeria. By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, the Tomato Conference is set to unlock the untapped potential of Nigeria's tomato industry, making it a benchmark for agricultural success in Africa.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Tomato Conference, with its comprehensive approach to tackling the sector's challenges and seizing its opportunities, represents a significant step forward in realizing the vision of a robust and sustainable tomato industry in Nigeria. As stakeholders prepare to gather, the anticipation grows for the positive changes that lie ahead, not just for the tomato sector, but for the agricultural landscape of Nigeria as a whole.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-28214596293127599182024-03-15T00:19:00.000-07:002024-03-15T03:00:31.766-07:00 CBN delivers over N100B fertilizer for nation wide distribution<p><br /></p><p>*Stakeholders query....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBXM9MXmmFDCZHU6wXz45YhQVR0XbY6mafXAAwiaAZdPwzR6xP643N1AyopmWEKANntCl_ry7PnwQ-tJNxUAXvaARYeOzDXN6O1d5z3mj5_0eLd7PaAKN5H7UBF-Xo-9hA39REuYaHOOVqiCXDxM_ovpraP-F6zPlBBkOLlj6SQq4uGeZf08LF0mmYrpA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1500" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBXM9MXmmFDCZHU6wXz45YhQVR0XbY6mafXAAwiaAZdPwzR6xP643N1AyopmWEKANntCl_ry7PnwQ-tJNxUAXvaARYeOzDXN6O1d5z3mj5_0eLd7PaAKN5H7UBF-Xo-9hA39REuYaHOOVqiCXDxM_ovpraP-F6zPlBBkOLlj6SQq4uGeZf08LF0mmYrpA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>The Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) has said it will deliver 2.15 million bags of fertilizer valued at over one Hundred Billions Naira for onward distribution to farmers through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS). Although some stakeholders in the sector have queried why should the Apex bank embark on such outrageous procurement.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso said this yesterday during his visit to the minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari in Abuja.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cardoso pointed the fertilizers intervention is coming on the heels of the need to ensure food price stability against inflation considering that a substantial portion of household expenditure is on food in Nigeria.</p><p>" We aim to enhance our partnership with the Minister of Agriculture, thereby bolstering your endeavors to enhance food productivity and security, and ultimately curbing food inflation and fortifying our pursuit of price stability"</p><p><br /></p><p>He continues " In pursuit of this goal, we are delighted to announce the allocations of 2.15 million bags of fertilizer valued at over N100 billion which we are humbly handing over to the FMAFS"</p><p><br /></p><p>However negative reactions have trailed the CBN fertilizers procurement saying 2.15 million bags at a valued price of over N100bn called for mathematical calculation query of the unit price of the items.</p><p><br /></p><p>They added whether there was any formal request for such by the FMAFS with numbers and type of fertilizer specification to be procured.</p><p><br /></p><p>One of those who complained to us said that the CBN process may end to be full of fraud since it claimed to have procured such a huge numbers of fertilizers without full consultation with the ministry that has the mandate to determine needed numbers and specification due to ecological soil type.</p><p><br /></p><p>Our anonymous argued that the climate smart agriculture has demanded the type of fertilizer to be applied as against blanket application pointing how can CBN substantiate N100b to the procurement of just 2.15 million fertilizer bags.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-39630812593155742662024-03-14T00:23:00.000-07:002024-03-15T03:48:17.371-07:00ATASP-1 Plans Wet Season Inputs Distribution, Advocates for Agricultural Infrastructure Development<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdqtO2VGdVO7R4R_kvRECCpN92Lb_nNPAE3THJa6nQu_zkKnm3nhxqBH79EDOyQc_si72k6pf9stjyVwBFFCrfN7a0Mj_80oX02IOb78Ue9AcWNdMO1lbjLHYd8BmOItTRKv7e0DH0mkLvedcnBoG92s3d6YxjM1qkgHwxu93uUAJZsqEfhO9fs1SPSgQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdqtO2VGdVO7R4R_kvRECCpN92Lb_nNPAE3THJa6nQu_zkKnm3nhxqBH79EDOyQc_si72k6pf9stjyVwBFFCrfN7a0Mj_80oX02IOb78Ue9AcWNdMO1lbjLHYd8BmOItTRKv7e0DH0mkLvedcnBoG92s3d6YxjM1qkgHwxu93uUAJZsqEfhO9fs1SPSgQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></p><p>Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Arabi, the National Coordinator, Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme (ATASP-1), has announced plans for the upcoming wet season farm inputs distribution to targeted areas just as he emphasized the need for Government to prioritize the development of agricultural infrastructure to bolster food productivity nationwide.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Arabi in an exclusive interview with Foodfarmnews in his office in Abuja recently said that timely inputs distribution to farmers would increase food productions adding that delay could negatively impact food security with the need for agricultural infrastructure availability.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Coordinator said that the recent completion of irrigation projects covering 1000 hectares was a significant achievement to food security emphasizing on the need for infrastructure productivity for all agricutural produce.</p><p><br /></p><p>In addition to production, Arabi highlighted the importance of efficient transportation and processing systems to ensure that agricultural products are reaching markets effectively pointed the need for comprehensive support to farmers through subsidy on agricultural inputs.</p><p><br /></p><p>Despite challenges such as insecurity and project implementation delays, Arabi remained optimistic ATAP's ability to support farmers with agricultural development just as he called for collaborative efforts with governments by other stakeholders to address areas of challenges for sustainable agricultural systems.</p><p><br /></p><p>Arabi urged governments to prioritize direct support to local communities and ensure transparency in resources allocation to foster self-sufficiency and economic empowerment at the grassroots level.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-48757362905071243602024-03-07T23:03:00.000-08:002024-03-07T23:03:00.644-08:00 GMO crops not national security, biotech terrorism threats - BSN <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkNfd-O3i8y1S3Wi5YaZvzMBGWAOX-gp7VbNyoX1pGz87UAEaMpA5EZzF3-L-m_fWJ4DEwIi3Qe40QL94z0ZsVil4S2UT35m-aoWSItxuqeVozaFV3PxhSOlW6Mom9SRAqyMdpTPlQusRbBs-4dMAC6iNHbhsTalbt2xs2qwXrBEVLRuehBTLpOPbdbwE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkNfd-O3i8y1S3Wi5YaZvzMBGWAOX-gp7VbNyoX1pGz87UAEaMpA5EZzF3-L-m_fWJ4DEwIi3Qe40QL94z0ZsVil4S2UT35m-aoWSItxuqeVozaFV3PxhSOlW6Mom9SRAqyMdpTPlQusRbBs-4dMAC6iNHbhsTalbt2xs2qwXrBEVLRuehBTLpOPbdbwE=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">PROF. Sylvia Uzochukwu, the National President, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), says Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) crops do not pose national security threat and cannot be used as weapons of biotech terrorism.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Uzochukwu made this clarification in response to a letter written to the National Assembly, through the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in Abuja.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one Dr Philip Njemanze had in a recent letter to the National Assembly, alleged that GMO crops constituted national security threats.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Njemanze’s letter was titled “National Security Threat: Biotech Terrorism Using GMO Seeds.’’</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Njemanze, in his letter, advised the National Assembly to withdraw the commercialised transgenic crops in Nigeria.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">However, Uzochukwu, a Professor of Food Science and Biotechnology, said that GMO crops had been consumed in Europe, America, South Africa, China and other parts of Asia for more than 25 years without adverse effects.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">He said Nigeria’s GMO products had also passed the usual rigorous bio-safety assessments before approval for commercial planting.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The professor said that transgenic cowpea and TELA maize were developed by Nigerian scientists to benefit the smallholder farmers.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“The transgenic cowpea is resistant to destructive pod borers, which typically destroy 80 per cent of cowpea crops.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“This resistance is helping farmers boost their yields several folds; TELA maize is drought tolerant and resistant to fall army worm to enable farmers optimise yield and profits.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“Withdrawing these crops would deprive farmers of tools to improve their livelihoods and boost food security in the country.’’</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">He said the impression linking GMOs with terrorism was a dangerous and highly concerning mischief.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“It is calculated to spread misinformation and fear without any scientific basis. Biotechnology improves crops through very precise changes at the molecular level to introduce beneficial traits,” he said.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">He said there was international scientific consensus on GMO crop safety upheld by regulatory agencies, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine globally, and the World Health Organization (WHO), among others.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Uzochukwu advised the lawmakers not to limit access to innovations that could alleviate poverty and ensure sustainable food security for the country.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">He said that Nigerian and international scientists had developed responsible, regulated solutions that guaranteed better yield for smallholder farmers through modern crop breeding methods.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Source:</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">(NAN)</span></p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-12605901286606753772024-03-06T22:59:00.000-08:002024-03-21T00:15:36.878-07:00 Launch of Nigeria's Inaugural Tomato Conference<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEbMn9cnHCeUhJq-z6B179SbXhG2tnzTXezj-M-iYiqeF-k-dCO58ccF01gWg9KJOrHlNL12m678tMirEefSkjXoK_Ua-E33OnwMhiw0Pt8tbA7i16c5zsrcfp6ACXivPjHtUt_gmV8jSv3gGbl9Br8UOM3cV5CX-AW5nOAD0GdmWY3wDLXoiICL5d3BU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="877" data-original-width="621" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEbMn9cnHCeUhJq-z6B179SbXhG2tnzTXezj-M-iYiqeF-k-dCO58ccF01gWg9KJOrHlNL12m678tMirEefSkjXoK_Ua-E33OnwMhiw0Pt8tbA7i16c5zsrcfp6ACXivPjHtUt_gmV8jSv3gGbl9Br8UOM3cV5CX-AW5nOAD0GdmWY3wDLXoiICL5d3BU=w453-h640" width="453" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">The organizing committee is thrilled to announce the first-ever Tomato Conference in Nigeria, set to take place on the 22nd of March 2024 at NEPC Hall, Garki, Abuja, starting at 9am. </span><p></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">This groundbreaking conference will bring together top minds in tomato research, industry leaders, growers, and policymakers to delve into the latest innovations in tomato cultivation and address the critical challenges facing the industry.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The conference aims to foster a vibrant exchange of ideas, showcasing thought-provoking presentations by distinguished speakers, offering interactive networking sessions, and opening avenues for strategic partnerships that will propel the tomato sector forward.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Expected to draw attendance from elite academic institutions, premier research bodies, leading seed companies, agricultural equipment manufacturers, commercial tomato producers, distributors, governmental bodies, and industry groups, the event is poised to significantly enhance dialogue and collaboration in the tomato industry.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We extend an invitation to you and your esteemed organization to engage with the Tomato Conference in several impactful ways:</span></p><ul class="ul1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"><li class="li1" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" face="Menlo-Regular" style="font-size: 12px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Attend as Delegates: Participate in the conference to gain insights from industry visionaries and engage with key stakeholders.</span></li><li class="li1" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" face="Menlo-Regular" style="font-size: 12px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Exhibition Opportunities: Elevate your organization's visibility by displaying your innovative solutions, products, and technologies to a niche audience.</span></li><li class="li1" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" face="Menlo-Regular" style="font-size: 12px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Sponsorship: Align your brand with the forefront of tomato industry advancement through tailored sponsorship packages designed to meet your organization’s goals.</span></li><li class="li1" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" face="Menlo-Regular" style="font-size: 12px;"></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Financial Contributions: Support the conference's mission to foster innovation and growth in the tomato sector with a financial donation, highlighting your role as a vital contributor to industry progress.</span></li></ul><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The Tomato Conference promises to be a pivotal event for all stakeholders involved, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping a thriving future for the tomato industry in Nigeria and beyond.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Your participation is crucial to the conference’s success, and together, we can achieve remarkable strides towards a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous tomato industry.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We look forward to hosting you and your delegation at this seminal event and working collaboratively to unlock the full potential of the tomato sector.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Best Regards,</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Oyeleke Bola</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Chairperson, Tomato Conference Organizing Committee</span></p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-20409216001835419052024-03-06T22:18:00.000-08:002024-03-06T22:18:41.029-08:00Funding, Merger threaten Renewed Hope on Food Security <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uFV-oJCjAftCyT7bWmp316Unn5XlvZVWotKn-Yob17BPMZM3VDOuAjykIW38yAwXZtsgDI3h7DOyZwY-3Rk6OhWgiOlwAo9vp_1QiWpiv1OnUUbWUlV0I0I9t7sMAXqWAF578WvMm-n6Au5zRhFv7O28Fg6LdTo1PEGoVJ4sWnaFj2NTAL9hq13C85c/s731/images%20(15).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="731" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uFV-oJCjAftCyT7bWmp316Unn5XlvZVWotKn-Yob17BPMZM3VDOuAjykIW38yAwXZtsgDI3h7DOyZwY-3Rk6OhWgiOlwAo9vp_1QiWpiv1OnUUbWUlV0I0I9t7sMAXqWAF578WvMm-n6Au5zRhFv7O28Fg6LdTo1PEGoVJ4sWnaFj2NTAL9hq13C85c/w640-h366/images%20(15).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The well publicized Renewed Hope of food security of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ( BAT) may have been threatened as a result of lack of funding to some agricultural projects coupled with the implementation of Mr. Steve Oronsanye merger implementations that have slowed down implementation activities depending when necessary budgetary actions are provided, Foodfarmnews learnt.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>It was gathered that some agricultural projects in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) are not being implemented due to lack of funding, and this has negatively impacted the food security situation of the country even as Federal Government will by this week Saturday commence food distribution to vulnerable people in Nigeria starting from Minna, Niger State.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsIZg48JF8XbjqW2EU1ZsA64u_CMuATNkQH2PKCKCBWzGCYcdoVcoU8EZFJ5fCOkYTYeuJbIUXKQzhfYtDll_KWyt1L8aCmNRkrYo6IYv2sVRdSADjOw2no-YnCOgZqz4Fe9KIKMt0Ubek6YdflDJhFk2Kb9p5Epulb6nOxsPweiFeHQ8ffx_AWz5RV8/s640/images%20(16).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsIZg48JF8XbjqW2EU1ZsA64u_CMuATNkQH2PKCKCBWzGCYcdoVcoU8EZFJ5fCOkYTYeuJbIUXKQzhfYtDll_KWyt1L8aCmNRkrYo6IYv2sVRdSADjOw2no-YnCOgZqz4Fe9KIKMt0Ubek6YdflDJhFk2Kb9p5Epulb6nOxsPweiFeHQ8ffx_AWz5RV8/w640-h480/images%20(16).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Foodfarmnews gathered from a closed source to the FMAFS departmental meeting that there were complaints of lack of funds to execute some major food security projects adding that the implementation of Oronsanye report by the FG may initially portend serious challenge in view of no preparation for budget allocations under the ministry for some of the new agencies that are merging with the main ministry.</p><p><br /></p><p>Our anonymous source said that "Numerous projects within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security are awaiting execution, and the recent merger has raised questions about funding allocations for the newly added departments. With the Oronsanye's report recommending the transfer of certain agencies under the FMAFS, concerns have been raised regarding the source of funding for those new intakes, especially following the approval of the 2024 budget that doesn't foresee the coming of this new merger"</p><p><br /></p><p>The source highlighted the case of National Agricultural Land Development Authority ( NALDA) which was previously funded by the Presidency but is now expected to be financed under the Ministry of Agriculture adding where is the additional funding required for NALDA projects will come since there was no budget provision for it in the running year.</p><p><br /></p><p>These developments underscore the pressing need for proactive measures to address funding gaps and ensure the continued implementation of crucial agricultural projects essential for safeguarding food security in Nigeria, said our source.</p><p><br /></p><p>Another source told Foodfarmnews that those new mergers may not really portend fund challenges as such since the 2024 budget has already captured them in their initial status as individual agency, pointing out that where he foresee delay is in the administrative process. </p><p><br /></p><p>Mr. Steve Oronsanye report of 2012 has been recently approved by the Federal Executives Council under President Tinubu for implementation towards restructuring and rationalization of the federal agencies, parastatals and commissions.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-13002582002387942692024-03-05T22:33:00.000-08:002024-03-07T23:11:47.035-08:00President Tinubu expresses concern over mechanization... says Agric Minister <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFxfiyXGezP7PspcOdTtvFJCd4CjdMbHRr-4ACC_ySep2jtq7aIDw22GJLDVrfaHos08Co7ouRSpSLmb7PrO-vPMPTsiyzcKMlP8gRIzMo4538zo6Pspwg_hBII7_8KYSjTegWNW-NTm6-wQgKR5ddsN2uwMQWdUvMShUS2dHtdAiMuqoQOGoY4UlshT0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1000" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFxfiyXGezP7PspcOdTtvFJCd4CjdMbHRr-4ACC_ySep2jtq7aIDw22GJLDVrfaHos08Co7ouRSpSLmb7PrO-vPMPTsiyzcKMlP8gRIzMo4538zo6Pspwg_hBII7_8KYSjTegWNW-NTm6-wQgKR5ddsN2uwMQWdUvMShUS2dHtdAiMuqoQOGoY4UlshT0=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>The Minister of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) Sen. Abubakar Kyari has expressed President Tinubu concerns for Agricultural mechanization status in Nigeria saying he is of the view that something positive must be drastically done to it towards high food productivity.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" class="placeholder" height="240" id="e75dfba1223d7" src="https://www.blogger.com/img/transparent.gif" style="background-color: #d8d8d8; background-image: url('https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/i/materialiconsextended/insert_photo/v6/grey600-24dp/1x/baseline_insert_photo_grey600_24dp.png'); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; opacity: 0.6;" width="320" /></div><br /></div></div></div><p></p><p>Senator Kyari was expressing how seriously the status of Agricultural mechanization is bordering President Tinubu especially with low numbers of tractors which were less than five thousand compared to mass land begging for cultivations in a meeting with the John Deere official yesterday at Abuja.</p><p><br /></p><p>Abubakar Kyari, revealed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's concerns regarding the current state of mechanization in Nigeria, stressed the urgency of the revamping situation by confronting the challenges towards mass food productivity in the country.</p><p><br /></p><p>Agric minister emphasized the necessity of ramping up tractors' availability to a total of 70,000 units to drive the country's transition to mechanized farming, saying the slow progress was currently bordering President Tinubu and that was why Memorandum of Understanding was signed with John Deere company towards supplying 2,000 tractors annually for cultivations expansion.</p><p><br /></p><p>During the meeting, discussions also revolved around critical issues such as securing financial support, establishing assembly facilities, providing training for operators and mechanics to ensure efficient machinery management.</p><p><br /></p><p>Also, plans were outlined for the implementation of a digital dashboard system to monitor machinery operations nationwide.</p><p><br /></p><p>John Deere representatives reaffirmed their commitment to the project, highlighting the progress made in terms of facility assembly and ongoing efforts to address financial challenges. They emphasized the</p><p> importance of collaboration between the government and private sector entities to ensure the success of the mechanization initiative.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-91905943760494189062024-03-01T08:58:00.000-08:002024-03-14T00:07:17.511-07:00 Government to Host Food Security Summit, Pushes for 2-Year Extension of VCDP<p><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3X3NByZPZ747X-NPpUanXBeAY_KyHw76R9UI6hj-2GiWze-23muv4ZaUUHaHb8HZfgHnZEK3GiDXEDFaXeBjIbM3ATnXd2WkVYNcFliohLsXX0g8lyG-HrcSdoJTd1WtNNp_zwb-5Qc4MDEIS4hv-cxjyEWXaWGWbsk5GaLw4Y4KdYyhakTGgTcGMR_g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3X3NByZPZ747X-NPpUanXBeAY_KyHw76R9UI6hj-2GiWze-23muv4ZaUUHaHb8HZfgHnZEK3GiDXEDFaXeBjIbM3ATnXd2WkVYNcFliohLsXX0g8lyG-HrcSdoJTd1WtNNp_zwb-5Qc4MDEIS4hv-cxjyEWXaWGWbsk5GaLw4Y4KdYyhakTGgTcGMR_g=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The federal government has announced plans to host an agriculture and food security summit this year, aiming to gather a diverse community of stakeholders from the public, private, and social sectors to prioritize innovation and technology as key drivers for Inclusive Agri-Food System Transformation and Smallholder farmers’ empowerment.<br /><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, revealed this during a meeting with Dr. Donal Brown, Associate Vice President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Kyari also appealed to IFAD for a $5 million ASAP grant to support climate change adaptation in the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), along with a request for a two-year extension to enhance program disbursement.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Expressing appreciation for IFAD's commitment, Kyari highlighted the successful implementation of various programs, including the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), Value Chain Development Program (VCDP) Additional Financing (AF), and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) Program, emphasizing the strong partnership between Nigeria and IFAD.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Kyari reiterated Nigeria's commitment to collaborating closely with IFAD on initiatives for agri-food system transformation and smallholder farmers’ empowerment, noting their participation in the United Nations Food System Stocktaking Moment in July, 2023.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">In response, Dr. Brown emphasized Nigeria's significance as one of IFAD’s strongest partners and expressed gratitude for the government's pledge for the new IFAD replenishment cycle, IFAD 13. He emphasized the importance of strengthening existing relationships and exploring future support directions, including addressing project performance issues and designing new projects to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Dr. Brown pledged support for additional financing for the second phase of the LIFE-ND project and expressed readiness to address efficiency issues in the VCDP project before considering its extension, highlighting IFAD's commitment to maximizing support for countries like Nigeria through replenishment cycles.</span></p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-55795056249783646432024-03-01T00:29:00.000-08:002024-03-01T00:29:56.558-08:00FG to start food items distribution next week in Niger state...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCNNMVE79vGt-rj-xlfxo1wPBVE8noU8b6Jsv48MlvZHH-iQUyCgg0jzI-9Bn1uYHYzyvXtNqkXWu8RYIe2PUrP_rBDZpQ4leKywK8g9peVr289t2y5hGWqa5zPnu19rFMRMTZkgBIK_HjyJBGjWGZJyM-Z7crvCdWFJzRtuLENqqaQiA-BrHEExMHWU/s573/images%20(14).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCNNMVE79vGt-rj-xlfxo1wPBVE8noU8b6Jsv48MlvZHH-iQUyCgg0jzI-9Bn1uYHYzyvXtNqkXWu8RYIe2PUrP_rBDZpQ4leKywK8g9peVr289t2y5hGWqa5zPnu19rFMRMTZkgBIK_HjyJBGjWGZJyM-Z7crvCdWFJzRtuLENqqaQiA-BrHEExMHWU/w598-h640/images%20(14).jpeg" width="598" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The Federal Government ( FG) through its Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) has slated next week for the distribution of grains to vulnerable Nigerians starting from next week in Niger state. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>This information was released after yesterday's meeting between the Niger state Governor, Mohammed Bago and the officials of the FMAFS at their Area 11, secretariat office in Abuja.</p><p><br /></p><p>These food items are meant to cushion the effect of hardship on the people in the country and Niger state has been picked as a starting point. </p><p><br /></p><p>The items of grains to be distributed as being instructed by President Tinubu are maize, millet and any other grain found in the national strategic reserves saying the gesture was meant to ameliorate the food price inflation in the country.</p><p><br /></p><p>Governor Bagu of Niger state has indicated the readiness of his government to support the FG food distribution with 120 trucks of food items for effective give away.</p><p><br /></p><p>Also the Minister of Agriculture, Sen Abubakar Kyari assured Nigerians that the food distributions process will adhere to the established guildelines by the National Emergency Management Agency and the office of Nation's security Adviser for transparency and equity in the allocation across the states.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-9565785815181108872024-02-29T22:25:00.000-08:002024-03-12T09:59:10.249-07:00 Nigeria poised for transformative leap in agricultural mechanization- Ekesiobi<p><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH1vYG0m6DFtEle2S042SsBdaaHfNZvXhTB-0zAv-LysWSgjyqr89D974W8Hq46iSQsC75K6Gu7vLPlkuCW_0y_u6xA8Q6OukIree65AmxDsYDS7wgWYsXr9suZ-YuC9BASQnL09hFXPh97EzL1M4coDzUeIFY0D_JMUcyOVmqjm3JyeAe9v5sZyEppsc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="416" data-original-width="416" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH1vYG0m6DFtEle2S042SsBdaaHfNZvXhTB-0zAv-LysWSgjyqr89D974W8Hq46iSQsC75K6Gu7vLPlkuCW_0y_u6xA8Q6OukIree65AmxDsYDS7wgWYsXr9suZ-YuC9BASQnL09hFXPh97EzL1M4coDzUeIFY0D_JMUcyOVmqjm3JyeAe9v5sZyEppsc=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></span></div><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Nigeria is gearing up for a multi-million-dollar mechanization investment project aimed at revolutionizing its agricultural sector and enhancing food security nationwide. <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">During a press briefing in Abuja, Mr. Don Ekesiobi, Chairman of Eurobase Consult Group, unveiled this groundbreaking initiative, detailing plans to collaborate with reputable companies from around the globe, including the USA, Brazil, South Africa, Israel, China, India, Poland, and Sao Paulo.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">"These companies, selected for their global impact and expertise, are poised to lead the mechanization drive in Nigeria," stated Ekesiobi. "With a proven track record in successful agricultural projects worldwide, they aim to replicate their multi-billion-dollar agribusiness models in Nigeria, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Ekesiobi stressed the pivotal role of both the government and the private sector in fostering agricultural development, advocating for conducive business environments and subsidies to ensure food affordability, in line with President Bola Tinubu's agenda.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">While addressing the issue of insecurity, Ekesiobi urged the government to prioritize security measures essential for attracting foreign investment and driving agricultural progress. He also called for the removal of bottlenecks in trade facilitation processes to create an enabling environment for agricultural development.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">According to him “The project includes plans to manufacture agricultural equipment locally, covering land preparation, planting, harvesting, processing, and packaging, with the aim of empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices nationwide”.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Ekesiobi extended an invitation to a special exhibition and technology showcase scheduled for the 16th and 17th of next month at the NAF conference in Abuja, aimed at spotlighting cutting-edge solutions and fostering innovation in agricultural mechanization.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Abubakar Bamai Musa, president of Nigeria Young Farmers Network, hailed the initiative as a significant opportunity for young people to contribute to the agricultural ecosystem, emphasizing the role of innovation and technology in driving success.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Speaking Hariratu Ladi Yakubu, representative Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progress, lauded the initiative as a vital opportunity for women to participate actively in agriculture and contribute to Nigeria's food sufficiency goals. She emphasized the importance of providing women with access to modern farming technologies and equipment to enhance productivity and address food shortages effectively.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-54504618263511532552024-02-27T22:32:00.000-08:002024-02-27T22:32:57.212-08:00Editorial- Calling the states government on NiMet warning <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt7X-39mAtOOI1UeGfoBnGMroOlhmPZaVC2J9JGkoJY6HGQviXgsPJDVb7TV0CgeWwItg3Qz6MJOrykBwdpj8_OkH7gPN7iJgjME40gspbEZ-0QeIlTMJxF5KN_pev-3YgkbrZqKcg540snhcXlJxDaKEnrjStgVz7j-Ls1yFJ3sJ8rka1TmNqLEGq7g/s739/images%20(13).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="739" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt7X-39mAtOOI1UeGfoBnGMroOlhmPZaVC2J9JGkoJY6HGQviXgsPJDVb7TV0CgeWwItg3Qz6MJOrykBwdpj8_OkH7gPN7iJgjME40gspbEZ-0QeIlTMJxF5KN_pev-3YgkbrZqKcg540snhcXlJxDaKEnrjStgVz7j-Ls1yFJ3sJ8rka1TmNqLEGq7g/w640-h360/images%20(13).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The Minister of Aviation and Eurospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN) while unveiling 2024 Seasonal Climate Predictions ( SCP) said that lovers of yam should expect late harvest of the crop, and this also implies many other produce in the region will be affected as well except if our farmers are well educated about climate smart farmings with constant relevant information on what to do to overcome low amount of rainfall requirements to crops as compared to the previous years.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>These weather predictions being released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NiMet) under the leadership of Prof. Charles Anosike was advised not to be taken as a doom towards the nation's economic development by the Minister, but rather a warning call to ensure effective planning by the captains of industry and policy makers to many sectors of the economy especially the food system in order to ensure effective sustainability and food security.</p><p><br /></p><p>Rains have been scientifically predicted to be shorter in variations among the 36 states of the federation including FCT while specifically the North Central states of Nigeria has been said to expect longer delay of rain as the implication of such especially for farming communities are need for education on farming during drought and heat periods where the use of improved seeds with shorter maturity times to harvest with the low amount of rainfalls will be taught to farmers.</p><p><br /></p><p>What this brings to mind is the appalling state of our Agricultural extension services that are dead at all the three tiers of government which translates that our farmers may face serious challenges this year if they are not properly guilded in best agronomics practices in view of climate change rain and temperature predictions for the running year.</p><p><br /></p><p>Since the essence of the Climate prescriptions is to enable policy makers to be alerted on what actions to be taken in order to prevent the vagaries of the forecast which the buck in the Agric sector falls on states and local government where food farmings are actually being done with the help of extension workers.</p><p><br /></p><p>The question is how many states have functional extension workers?</p><p><br /></p><p>You can ask the agricultural research Institutes in Nigeria how their work have been made easier during the Annual Cropping and Research Extension Farmers Inputs Linkage System (REFILS) meetings as there are evidence of none performance of the Agricultural Development Program ( ADP) as it used to be when it was being funded by the World Bank. </p><p><br /></p><p>Most states' ADP are dead as they hardly attend monthly and annual research meetings where feedback performances of released improved technologies are being reported for actionable improvement.</p><p><br /></p><p>With this SCP release with present state of moribund extension workers in most states of the federation including FCT, then the fear of food shortage for year 2024 is very high except a quick action is taken by all the states and local governments to reverse the popular trend by ensuring partnership with the NiMet and agricutural research institutes through their extension departments on what to do in order to avert the impact of this prediction on food security in the year 2024.</p><p><br /></p><p>The time is now because delay may be very grievous on our food security system that is already challenged with high prices of food coupled with hunger as farmers are being vulnerable to insecurity that is preventing them from going to the farm.</p><p><br /></p><p>SCP should be used to bring strong synergy between the research and technologies transfer through extension officers to farmers for pumper harvest in order to avoid imminent food scarcity the nation might face between now and next year by the time the prediction begins to take its tolls when actions are taken to prevent its negative impact.</p><p><br /></p><p>All efforts to call the attention of FG, and particularly the states and local governments to the revival of extension workers back to the ways it used to be when being sponsored by the world Bank have been falling on the deaf ears that must be awakened in view of the new SCP. A food insecured nation is no nation. All hands must be on deck to ensure food security with the use of appropriate NiMet SCP to ensure climate smart agriculture.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-1265964906215171762024-02-26T02:15:00.000-08:002024-02-26T02:15:23.705-08:00President Tinubu unveils plan to increase food productions against inflation<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCwk6_0UC50umdNywcEXF5YudOjjQKJ4hoyr41XI455SmCl4cxqcM-WAPm7Usz0URLTic7IxRQ52yJWEGcypb0JDPkSvHQv3qvKhfYIRCnPhAOx47NUPhwJMQsArqqggBVl-KliONVenX2ImoPfXn0OyfrybEMFG_NEfyzrZtmw36CgsJNnOU_Uv-UTQ/s740/images%20(12).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="740" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCwk6_0UC50umdNywcEXF5YudOjjQKJ4hoyr41XI455SmCl4cxqcM-WAPm7Usz0URLTic7IxRQ52yJWEGcypb0JDPkSvHQv3qvKhfYIRCnPhAOx47NUPhwJMQsArqqggBVl-KliONVenX2ImoPfXn0OyfrybEMFG_NEfyzrZtmw36CgsJNnOU_Uv-UTQ/w640-h358/images%20(12).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The office of the Nigerian President has indicated its preparedness to increase grains production towards checkmating inflation on the food prices through the first and second phases of dry season farmings.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>This was contained in a press statement made available to the media which was signed by Special Adviser to the President on information and strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga last week in Abuja.</p><p><br /></p><p>The title of the press release is " update on Tinubu administration's efforts to ramp up food supply in the country" as it was noted that the Federal Government ( FG ) had last year November 2023 commenced dry season farming on wheat, maize and rice as the second phase will soon commence to make more availability visible.</p><p><br /></p><p>The statement also added that President Tinubu is rounding up to soon release 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities to the vulnerable population in the country as effort is on top gear in seven locations of strategic grain reserve where the bagging of these items are going for onward delivery to National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS).</p><p><br /></p><p>It was noted in the statement that prices of food items have downwardly responded to the President's plans in view of his purported food commodities release to the vulnerable people as effort to cushion hardship and inflation effects.</p><p><br /></p><p>Read the full text of the press release below</p><p><br /></p><p>Update on Tinubu administration’s efforts to ramp up food supply in the country</p><p><br /></p><p>The Tinubu administration through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is in the final stages of releasing 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities to support the vulnerable population across the country. </p><p><br /></p><p>The grains in seven locations of strategic reserve, are now being bagged for onward delivery to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The need to bag the grains, caused the delay as the bags were freshly ordered by government. </p><p><br /></p><p>Nigerians will not need to pay for the grain bags, as they are free.</p><p><br /></p><p>This will be complemented by the 60,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to be purchased by the Federal Government from the Mega Rice Millers. </p><p><br /></p><p>Already, with the announcement of the impending releases of food commodities from the Strategic Reserve, there is a noticeable reduction in commodity prices across major grains markets in the country, Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari said</p><p><br /></p><p>The Federal Government is also ramping up food production by boosting Dry Season Farming under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project .</p><p><br /></p><p>The First Phase of the Dry Season Farming was launched in November, 2023.</p><p><br /></p><p>It focuses on the cultivation of wheat across 15 wheat-producing states, covering 118,657 hectares and involving 107,429 farmers. </p><p><br /></p><p>“The fields are green now and harvest will commence in a matter of weeks”, Kyari said.</p><p><br /></p><p>“There are fantastic reports of growth of wheat from Jigawa State, which is now targeting harvest from about 50,000 hectares, 10,000 hectares more than initially allotted under the programme.</p><p><br /></p><p>Phase 2 of the Dry Season Farming will commence soon, across all 36 states of Nigeria and FCT.</p><p><br /></p><p>It will cover rice, maize, and cassava. </p><p><br /></p><p>“For rice, the target is 250,000 hectares involving 500,000 farmers with the expected output of 1 million metric tons of paddy rice. </p><p><br /></p><p>“For maize, we are cultivating 55,000 hectares with 110,000 farmers thereby adding 165,000 metric tons to national maize production while for cassava, we are doing 35,000 hectares with 70,000 farmers to produce 525,000 metric tons of cassava.</p><p><br /></p><p>“The NAGS-AP Project offers a 50% subsidy. However, the Federal Government is providing additional support for Phase 2, which will bring aggregate subsidy to about 93 % to farmers cultivating the crops. </p><p><br /></p><p>“Also various governors are showing strong support, to further enhance the subsidy. </p><p><br /></p><p>Additionally, solar-powered water pumps for irrigation, provided by the Federal Government, are being deployed to aid the upcoming phase of the programme.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Update released by </p><p><br /></p><p>Bayo Onanuga</p><p>Special Adviser to the President on Information And Strategy</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-69245515227343755132024-02-20T23:22:00.000-08:002024-02-20T23:22:30.571-08:00NiMet SCP alerts on proactive action against food shortage<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TWEnI-n3xz85MKPN_fiBE9SeFcDtfA5WQRsfYE-KrJf5wwni749Hr4-eMQLUr8hPItKYDBHLHPmY-7AF7JK3z_3hmPtbosKCMVk6wBLboLbQTUMyTu7c4OshMwgwCCB2IOwj_3FEn5goGa3OSBLWrGtJUroeAZ5YtJId7K3dx5hIN_XgdTtrM2S1o2Q/s4160/IMG_20240220_134744_671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TWEnI-n3xz85MKPN_fiBE9SeFcDtfA5WQRsfYE-KrJf5wwni749Hr4-eMQLUr8hPItKYDBHLHPmY-7AF7JK3z_3hmPtbosKCMVk6wBLboLbQTUMyTu7c4OshMwgwCCB2IOwj_3FEn5goGa3OSBLWrGtJUroeAZ5YtJId7K3dx5hIN_XgdTtrM2S1o2Q/w640-h480/IMG_20240220_134744_671.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The year 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction ( SCP) has predicted a delayed rainfall that may lead to food shortage if proactive steps are not taken by policy makers in the sector.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9L6X0VHUfrRCxQytAiPdZwmcCbtN1FjRLWb-fTRd8L8ifnXMI8BT5iS0JSs0TE4tGT2KL5uWBu0simcc9ApUe95yBltB80IP6SM7LTSgClrGcMk6K82jtbKITgO393E2maBRlMYC_uUauVRFzGdQorN021cPEY0tgdQRAeEglIu3U40nlCtwv2pxgzU/s4160/IMG_20240220_133151_876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9L6X0VHUfrRCxQytAiPdZwmcCbtN1FjRLWb-fTRd8L8ifnXMI8BT5iS0JSs0TE4tGT2KL5uWBu0simcc9ApUe95yBltB80IP6SM7LTSgClrGcMk6K82jtbKITgO393E2maBRlMYC_uUauVRFzGdQorN021cPEY0tgdQRAeEglIu3U40nlCtwv2pxgzU/w480-h640/IMG_20240220_133151_876.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamu said this yesterday while unveiling the 2024 SCP that is put together by young science experts at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NiMet) to the nation's stakeholders that cut across all the economy including Agriculture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgI98xTaczyzKN7Klcl_cnCQ-PiB_LGBF4yXIE9pj61boIFBTYrZk-iwyfoNTnyv7eSF_szGa3ADBB9V7JdSPUQ8dAVfrWDYzVe2ZCJ3oTnRX-ZDrO8CrHL4FSQoCJzIFFtkJpDrG8ir1qhrlqGgUzTZUD2Kp0htVL4iRF2aG9aif_gVkxMj7jFvLgO0/s4160/IMG_20240220_130700_066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgI98xTaczyzKN7Klcl_cnCQ-PiB_LGBF4yXIE9pj61boIFBTYrZk-iwyfoNTnyv7eSF_szGa3ADBB9V7JdSPUQ8dAVfrWDYzVe2ZCJ3oTnRX-ZDrO8CrHL4FSQoCJzIFFtkJpDrG8ir1qhrlqGgUzTZUD2Kp0htVL4iRF2aG9aif_gVkxMj7jFvLgO0/w480-h640/IMG_20240220_130700_066.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Festus Keyamu stated that yams harvest may be delayed in a state like Niger due to rainfall delay, while Bornu, Abia and Akwa Ibom states are predicted to have an early onset when compared to their long term averages.</p><p><br /></p><p>Keyamu said that the year 2024 onset of rain is predicted to be delayed in some parts of the country especially the North Central states while an early end of the season is predicted for the parts of Yobe, Jigawa , Bauchi, Kano, Kebbi, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Ebonyi , Ogun and Lagos just as late cessation is predicted in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti, parts of Edo, Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, FCT, Niger and Kaduna.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7ofRTrhZDp7B5sltjlS4IclxByrF1ELe_MwpDagFVE0R_URtomANSB7mvQjsUh1ji8RZlSm2U51AIKeIJPGJkEn3oRGk44krRHE4YpYRAFqU9LQo2kPM8PuNTeYZfasFt1CxeOb6jDQK-G143GZK-tD5ccHJ5Kzwwh1wKbCcx84dqWreNJJZDW6lAIE/s4160/IMG_20240220_142734_036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7ofRTrhZDp7B5sltjlS4IclxByrF1ELe_MwpDagFVE0R_URtomANSB7mvQjsUh1ji8RZlSm2U51AIKeIJPGJkEn3oRGk44krRHE4YpYRAFqU9LQo2kPM8PuNTeYZfasFt1CxeOb6jDQK-G143GZK-tD5ccHJ5Kzwwh1wKbCcx84dqWreNJJZDW6lAIE/w480-h640/IMG_20240220_142734_036.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The rain predictions according to Keyamu stated that most parts of the country are expected to experience a shorter length of the season with the exception of Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom that will experience a longer length of the season.</p><p><br /></p><p>He advised that NiMet SCP should not be seen as mere scientific projection, but rather a tool of instruction to regig the economy with resilience climate smart strategies to enhance food security and renewed hope for sustainable economic development for the nation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9LVSw7JtqejtA3zRLJ1teDiV-EALNFuq-HMLL3jJ99C-CFRpg-T6IAGROhO8HdH6HYLSVM1Ljex4LSLmcCXZt2SVuurVSqRZ_syLrV-YZNbAkx5MQi8xJ1tWLiNK15l1z5tiwXM_OyjTEa1disICtoWAAv2qOXyA_ybkmXtiurCwJgZic6o5qRhZIqo/s4160/IMG_20240220_125506_633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9LVSw7JtqejtA3zRLJ1teDiV-EALNFuq-HMLL3jJ99C-CFRpg-T6IAGROhO8HdH6HYLSVM1Ljex4LSLmcCXZt2SVuurVSqRZ_syLrV-YZNbAkx5MQi8xJ1tWLiNK15l1z5tiwXM_OyjTEa1disICtoWAAv2qOXyA_ybkmXtiurCwJgZic6o5qRhZIqo/w640-h480/IMG_20240220_125506_633.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The Minister said that the insight provided by NiMet should inspire collaboration among government agencies, private sector, non governmental organizations and communities to collectively build a climate resilient nation towards food security and a better economy that cuts across all sectors.</p><p><br /></p><p>The youth farmers' leader Mr. Suliamon Arigbabu asked the NiMet management to ensure the scaling down of climate related information to food security to the grass root farmers who are the end users towards food system sustainability just as he and his group appreciate the intervention of NiMet organization.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUjkZxHFDOByT9VyzvnPXt6h65AhHkAZMwIPBTttrJrgGrYA53l5Jpz41pshmgUV2OdqZBjbsKPEIrvakKNI3p4pFOlBlgS3_eNInDTr73LxaQFMcEPG39CqhdiTY0ye0WhjSN4hl7KCK9P345i-MwIJM4lIa3ZVMknFDFvls8Yhe3k6Vwbp7cZqeRtM/s4160/IMG_20240220_135147_735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUjkZxHFDOByT9VyzvnPXt6h65AhHkAZMwIPBTttrJrgGrYA53l5Jpz41pshmgUV2OdqZBjbsKPEIrvakKNI3p4pFOlBlgS3_eNInDTr73LxaQFMcEPG39CqhdiTY0ye0WhjSN4hl7KCK9P345i-MwIJM4lIa3ZVMknFDFvls8Yhe3k6Vwbp7cZqeRtM/w640-h480/IMG_20240220_135147_735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Also, the All Farmers Associations (AFAN) President Architect Kabiru emphasized the significance of climate information for farmers, stressed the need for farmers to utilize the information to increase production, especially at this challenging times where importing food is limited. </p><p><br /></p><p>Kabiru acknowledged the importance of NiMet's climate predictions in guiding farmers on when to plant and harvest, enabling climate-smart production and increased productivity.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-54371127999265937092024-02-20T22:37:00.000-08:002024-02-23T11:43:51.761-08:00Let's use Horticultural crops to drive employment, says NIHORT ED<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP1qzBxK1SYJSMm04lbNMphA9vI3gnYFTt28PpROWtDG1ppGKiT64IBqwl4BTlHrh-fr1tt_0SHn5PVgWphlD4FPzCE2VSgz8NriwTQekotd72BdQ763T9Wp_hTt82H148yzOnQ0W2JpxAGyrJLtq8R-Xd_8E1Cls5H56DS_csdtRCWgvAYCx4Ws0jyM/s1040/27A5505D-4726-4923-ADB3-5E7D56A30EC5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="780" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP1qzBxK1SYJSMm04lbNMphA9vI3gnYFTt28PpROWtDG1ppGKiT64IBqwl4BTlHrh-fr1tt_0SHn5PVgWphlD4FPzCE2VSgz8NriwTQekotd72BdQ763T9Wp_hTt82H148yzOnQ0W2JpxAGyrJLtq8R-Xd_8E1Cls5H56DS_csdtRCWgvAYCx4Ws0jyM/w480-h640/27A5505D-4726-4923-ADB3-5E7D56A30EC5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>All season’s cultivation of horticultural crops is a veritable channel to mitigate the current pervasive youth’s unemployment in the country.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The above were the remarks of the Executive Director (ED) National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) Dr. (Engr)Mohammed Lawal Attanda while on working tour to the field practical training being conducted for the recently admitted 2nd batch of the Horticultural Academy for Youths (HAY) where thirty new intakes are being trained on improved technologies in short duration crops on upland and lowland horticulture.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr80hcHppgC8AMM6iI412-bGFsJaTqdkeaE6CDA8sfv9diAuxvrvWeaP63yBdHUiD7ZaOvqrEP_cD3LBDniZkQLxECL7NFUrgZFX18g3jFc2V3VapL_c48q-zUyeo_zvcqBY6FvCU946IBhHBTcBYuK8BSs6ZKM96-ubzpphZ2F-s1VZ0B-hvS9SeIj8Y/s1040/4AD5FE7D-1EE2-49EC-9BB3-7219FCB3AF43.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="780" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr80hcHppgC8AMM6iI412-bGFsJaTqdkeaE6CDA8sfv9diAuxvrvWeaP63yBdHUiD7ZaOvqrEP_cD3LBDniZkQLxECL7NFUrgZFX18g3jFc2V3VapL_c48q-zUyeo_zvcqBY6FvCU946IBhHBTcBYuK8BSs6ZKM96-ubzpphZ2F-s1VZ0B-hvS9SeIj8Y/w480-h640/4AD5FE7D-1EE2-49EC-9BB3-7219FCB3AF43.jpeg" width="480" /></a></p><p>Dr. Mohammed Lawal Attanda reiterated the need for the three tiers of Governments to mainstream the use of horticultural crops to boost inclusive nutritional food security and job creation for the youths in Nigeria as he emphasized that horticultural crops have great role to play in achieving food and nutritional security and went further to add that capacity building of youths in the upland and lowland farming of highly nutritious crops such as tomato, pepper and varieties of vegetables will promote food security in the country.</p><p><br /></p><p>He pointed out that the efforts of the Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and its numerous departments and agencies towards commercial availability of rice, maize, wheat, and cassava would well be complimented with massive availability of pepper, tomato, and various types of vegetables to upscale cognitive and mental stability to both the youths and pregnant women in the country.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G9VhuNHT4pgmkcE-LqHl7LQUXPpXRz7lj1SC3UGP7crE6yygdBt8CZITSm28Nt0ipd5aDUgep8w2v3XoxW1YqBQIUJWRAvJpHiD4IFL3i0MB1PAv6itR-vuf2xrXvfN7l8eEkHkkYVupSDvM5NCOZTPsy90lM2PeiulD1-9WtT_dYJ49jVQ83V5crZQ/s1040/ABF4A48E-12B3-4189-903E-A22DDD605C77.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1040" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G9VhuNHT4pgmkcE-LqHl7LQUXPpXRz7lj1SC3UGP7crE6yygdBt8CZITSm28Nt0ipd5aDUgep8w2v3XoxW1YqBQIUJWRAvJpHiD4IFL3i0MB1PAv6itR-vuf2xrXvfN7l8eEkHkkYVupSDvM5NCOZTPsy90lM2PeiulD1-9WtT_dYJ49jVQ83V5crZQ/w640-h480/ABF4A48E-12B3-4189-903E-A22DDD605C77.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><div><br /></div><p>Further to the above, the ED submitted that vegetables production can be upscaled to generate more employment even as Nigeria has been described being low in the consumption of the crops by the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).</p><p><br /></p><p> NIHORT boss said that it is in this view that NIHORT has been training batches of youths in the best Agricultural practices in tomato, pepper, and vegetables like Ewedo and Shoko yokoto value chains so as to enhance commercial availability in view of high demand with premium.</p><p><br /></p><p> A member of the current batch of HAY, Mr. Sunday Abidemi who is a graduate of Yaba College of Technology affirmed to Foodfarmnews that he enrolled for the training with an aim to upscale his proficiency in the best agricultural practices of tomato and vegetable productions in view of their high demand and premium.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw71xlFDSKlWHL9EMXMaTra0kwF1EUj9bkHV_4udpoak8M2awBngaKY6Xxd462MkNhfb6fb9UZT1_wKt2zBTwyF4FmpB8S2rU1c4HZhH3bwf9G9a6F9ynuBHE7w2CIWay5E4yp-cblupVa36LLXuWpr-3MQDuW2pP456WS4jpplYCO54-Rm84r0dkoD6I/s1040/6D532F5C-8D0A-4652-A5B0-6D2435AE8593.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="780" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw71xlFDSKlWHL9EMXMaTra0kwF1EUj9bkHV_4udpoak8M2awBngaKY6Xxd462MkNhfb6fb9UZT1_wKt2zBTwyF4FmpB8S2rU1c4HZhH3bwf9G9a6F9ynuBHE7w2CIWay5E4yp-cblupVa36LLXuWpr-3MQDuW2pP456WS4jpplYCO54-Rm84r0dkoD6I/w480-h640/6D532F5C-8D0A-4652-A5B0-6D2435AE8593.jpeg" width="480" /></a></p><p> Mr. Abidemi said " I intend to utilize the training to earn a living through profitable horticultural crops that take a very short duration of time to harvest for sale, and this includes tomato, pepper, vegetables"</p><p><br /></p><p> In the same vein, the program coordinator, HAY, Dr. Oyedele hinted that there was a need for FG to harness the opportunity in the training for job and wealth creations targeted towards achieving food security.</p><p><br /></p><p> She pointed that the numbers of the youths being trained can be expanded from thirty youths with more funding and provisions.</p><p><br /></p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-75946000676422531692024-02-14T23:32:00.000-08:002024-02-15T22:58:29.693-08:00DSS, NEMA to monitor FG 42,000 MTs grain release<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxDEc273GPgfTXB1GkG6vBBTfLeZliPdjSdBQS2YFoWplT7Zqz7ebBwSHFnO5Ov0cdEwIO8LwHtie4hWnJKqtSTRJ7Tl2Uk80Ha89wqh3k3Cg606puybN2tXPVr_Q-lqH5uUThTfzoGdDNTbw3hsqbac84DUUEGXsdrKWl1DdCEkmOvHH1rDzWS_m7Hw/s676/images%20(11).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="676" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxDEc273GPgfTXB1GkG6vBBTfLeZliPdjSdBQS2YFoWplT7Zqz7ebBwSHFnO5Ov0cdEwIO8LwHtie4hWnJKqtSTRJ7Tl2Uk80Ha89wqh3k3Cg606puybN2tXPVr_Q-lqH5uUThTfzoGdDNTbw3hsqbac84DUUEGXsdrKWl1DdCEkmOvHH1rDzWS_m7Hw/w640-h430/images%20(11).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: left;">The Department of State Security Services ( DSS) and National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) may have been slated to ensure seamless distribution of 42,000 metric tons of grains about to be released to cushion food inflation in the country.</span></div><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><br /></p><p>This was the major high power information released by the Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) Sen. Abubakar Kyari along with his counterpart, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris at the ministerial press briefing held yesterday at Radio House in Abuja.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52QqS6hNraYZEdXsIEw2UxJneHtT1qPU8cBDqsJNE77ZwwBS9EG8bA0F5gYFX2F6ThhTYDISZiy5iLU_lDUuiEB2tdwkRfEXwYBv9o6eITY5psOGa0bIck9wYDqj4g8AkS64q8FC4tYeOtRq6S7mIabIA9719qay-F83AUHEQDahiRY0QZqP-3XGlBPM/s4160/IMG_20240207_163837_461.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52QqS6hNraYZEdXsIEw2UxJneHtT1qPU8cBDqsJNE77ZwwBS9EG8bA0F5gYFX2F6ThhTYDISZiy5iLU_lDUuiEB2tdwkRfEXwYBv9o6eITY5psOGa0bIck9wYDqj4g8AkS64q8FC4tYeOtRq6S7mIabIA9719qay-F83AUHEQDahiRY0QZqP-3XGlBPM/w640-h480/IMG_20240207_163837_461.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Although the full details of how the grains distribution would be discharged are not given other than 42,000 metric tons of grains including wheat, rice, maize, millet and sorghum will be distributed across the nation to vulnerable citizens as modalities of seamless distribution is on going with DSS and NEMA.</p><p><br /></p><p>Senator Kyari only said that modalities for the distribution of grains to vulnerable Nigerians across different locations in the country are being finalized in collaboration with the DSS and NEMA.</p><p><br /></p><p>The minister also mentioned various partnership strategies the ministry has adopted with the states' government to ensure massive food production through effective engagement of real farmers that will benefit in the FG inputs intervention.</p><p><br /></p><p>Senator Kyari expressed concern over the presence of "political farmers" even in the ministry's database which he described as very counter productive.</p><p><br /></p><p>Furthermore, the ministry disclosed plans to cultivate 120,000 hectares of land for wheat production and engage 150,000 farmers in rice cultivation across multiple regions of the country within the year.</p><p><br /></p><p>Speaking on the occasion , the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in government actions saying the ministerial press briefing was to foster interaction between government officials and the media.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149665692547228355.post-58116065991319284142024-02-13T22:16:00.000-08:002024-02-14T22:43:26.379-08:00 Minister commends Nasarawa agric support to farmers <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z4Phl2hHL9cHhhJiBleXhcyPLn3AvYDRyQZLgvfJbdBnCnz5SxahWBtlM9ICGqx2t7QicxfBuc67LhZc77V43dN_NpcMk-EoZR_ei3SHKtNmh8zBTuQXldXeDumoONOkwdMU3OJH8a0TrahS0hpVmEWZysx4SiS7l9iDAPj8Izz3ws_M6A9GEL7dFZw/s600/E7902A16-ECE4-4877-A252-AC95E2E26BEB.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z4Phl2hHL9cHhhJiBleXhcyPLn3AvYDRyQZLgvfJbdBnCnz5SxahWBtlM9ICGqx2t7QicxfBuc67LhZc77V43dN_NpcMk-EoZR_ei3SHKtNmh8zBTuQXldXeDumoONOkwdMU3OJH8a0TrahS0hpVmEWZysx4SiS7l9iDAPj8Izz3ws_M6A9GEL7dFZw/w640-h426/E7902A16-ECE4-4877-A252-AC95E2E26BEB.webp" width="640" /></a></div><p>The Minister of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) Sen. Abubakar Kyari has commended the agricultural support the Nasarawa state government is giving to farmers in terms of inputs distribution and energy supplies to enhance value addition to produce.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>This Minister's commendation is coming on the heel of Nasarawa state Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule' s visit o Agric Minister last week where he unveiled the plan of doubling the quantity of fertilizer to be given to farmers in this year 2024.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Nasarawa state Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule has said that “we have decided to double our efforts. If we were initially providing 13,000 bags of fertilizer to farmers, we will now increase it to 26,000 bags" added that Government's commitment to small farmers' holder in the state is unwavering.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Agric Minister however praised the Nasarawa State's significant roles in grains, legumes, and root crops cultivation towards enhancing food security saying additional inputs support during this critical time would be very timely to addressing high prices of food in Nigeria.</p><p><br /></p><p>He acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers in accessing agro-inputs, particularly in meeting the 50 per cent counterpart payment required by the subsidy of the Federal Government. </p><p><br /></p><p>Furthermore, the minister commended the establishment of a solar cell production plant in Gora, Nasarawa State, by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) as he expressed optimism that the operational plant would fulfill the solar-powered pump needs, benefiting the environment and beyond.</p>food Farm Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00153668297590815439noreply@blogger.com2