News

Nigeria has no regulation for bio fertilizers.  

The food security programme of the Federal Government may have to consider putting an efficient and effective quality monitoring framework on bio fertilizers and pesticide in place as findings revealed that most of these imported  products are sub- standard to farming yield. A workshop on policy, quality standards and accreditation protocols for bio-fertilizer and bio pesticides in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda showed that much has not been achieved in the area of quality control mechanism as only Kenya was recorded as having functional regulatory frameworks on bio input products. Report has it that out of 100 bio fertilizers product brought into the country, only three were said to be of standard while the rest are of shortage to the consumers and farmers whose crops yield and production quality were reduced due to low quality.

The Commercial Products (COMPRO) 11 project being coordinated by IITA and partner Institutions is aimed at using Bio fertilizers products to increase crop yields towards achieving food security for smallholders’ farmers in the Sub Saharan Africa through institutionalization of quality control mechanisms. According to COMPRO 11 leader, Dr. Cargelle Masso who said that the project will build on the key finding from successive project notably the need for consumer protection given the wide range of bio based products marketed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Ghana adding that “indeed out of the 100 products that were tested during COMPRO 1, only three were found appropriate for use by consumers.

 This pointed to the fact that, farmers and other consumers are exposed to poor quality products, hence the low agricultural production” Dr. Masso inferring from COMPRO 1 lesson pointed the need for research findings dissemination to farmers, stressed that establishing a system for quality control regulation in other to checkmate sub standard bio fertilizers and bio pesticides in the region with products registration, and quality control institutionalization through accreditation establishment system will go a long way in helping food security matters in the region.

The experience in Nigeria revealed that much has not been done in the area of ensuring a monitoring mechanism structure for bio fertilizer and bio pesticides while the fertilizer sub sector was liberalized in 1987 with complete withdrawer of Government controls from procurement and distribution of fertilizer. However, inadequate planning resulted to supply problems thereby leading to re- introduction of the fertilizer subsidy programme in 2003. The main constraint in fertilizers is poor quality synonymous with fake, adulteration, misbranding and underweight fertilizer prevalence in the market. But it was revealed that work is already going on to institute an implementation framework in line with Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Status of fertilizer regulation in Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda Kenya- T.O Ongwenyi and P. Ngaruiya. It was noted there is a policy gap in the use of bio- fertilizer and bio- pesticide in Kenya.  Currently, a fertilizer and soil conditioner bill has been drafted to ensure standard enforcement but there were finding of over lapping and uncoordinated implementation. In 2002, the agricultural production of Kenya was threatened as the country could not export to Europe due to residues in some of her products. The farmers then took an initiative by asking the PCPB to authorize the use of bio pesticide.

The board then started working on a guideline for bio pesticide and these were grouped into three; bacterial, bio chemical and microbial groups. These were gazette in 2006 and have been the regulations in use since then. In addition, there is Kenya technical Standing Committee on Imports and Export (KSTCIE) coordinated by KEPHIS which handles bio pesticides. KSTCHI reviews and authorized the bio-pesticides for public use. Within the KSTCIE is a technical group that assesses the risks and makes appropriate recommendations.

These recommendations are made to the bigger committee which makes final recommendation on release products into the market. Before product commercialization, the PCBP which is charged with the responsibility of licensing operators has to be consulted for final approval and registration. For bio fertilizer, KARI and the universities do verification in laboratories, greenhouses and fields, and present reports to the committee for approval. The main challenge is thus in the overlapping and misplacement of mandates between various national institutions. There is also no Institution charged with verification. There is need to do market survey and create a database of bio fertilizer currently in use in Kenya. Also there is need to do periodic checks for quality and manuals for inspections and testing. Tanzania; Susan Ikerra and Julius Mkenda Fertilizer in Tanzania is regulated by the fertilizer Act and takes care of all fertilizer issues including bio fertilizer and other soil supplements. The fertilizer regulation Act was signed in January 2012 after three years which is due to delay relating to regulatory authority. However this Act only covers minerals fertilizers and has no guideline on bio fertilizers. It provides very clear procedure on how to deal with the registration of fertilizer and fertilizer supplements. The process for registration is rather long and there is a need to shorten it.

However, it is important that all these products go through all the stages to ensure that what is allowed to get into the market is of highest quality, and at the same time meet the needs of the farmers. Currently, the cost of testing a product is set at USD 10,000 which is not sustainable as it is rest on the Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA), which is a government agency to foot this cost. It was interesting to note that before the formation of TFRA, some fertilizers were already approved into the market. These are Twin N from Australia, Penshabao from China and SKAF from USA. However, none of these passed the COMPRO I screening test. For example Twin N was tested in maize and it did not even give a yield increase of 25%. It was noted that the producers of these products promote them in a way to imply that their usage alone can give very high yields. However, from the experiments done in the field, it was cleared that to even get a little yield increase, you must combine them with other products. They are not practicable for agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Some of the key challenges faced in Tanzania by the TFRA include;

• Difficulties in law enforcement. This arises from the fact that TFRA cannot sue and have to rely on the police, who often have no capacity to handle the cases. The law needs to be amended to give TFRA the power to sue.
• There are counterfeits in the market. TFRA is thus taking over the functions of Tanzania Bureau of Standards.
• There are no accredited labs to handle testing and monitoring of quality of products in the market.
• There is need for committed and trained inspectors. Currently there are only 75 inspectors and 25 analysts serving the entire country.
• There is need for a handling manual, currently; capacity building is done on the spot during inspections. Some of the common problems include poor stacking of the fertilizers and placing the fertilizers against walls.
• Other challenges include caking, underweight fertilizers and poor labeling. These, it was noted that the above challenges would also affect bio-fertilizers.

Pesticides on the other hand are regulated by the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute which was established by an Act of Parliament No 18 of 1979. There are currently two legislations that are in use: Tropical Pesticides Research Institute Act (TPRI Act, 1979) and Plant Protection Act, 1997. Until 1997, there was only one Act in operation. Currently, the Plant Protection Act deals with regulatory matters. Although a Pesticide Management Act is currently being drafted to handle all regulatory activities of pesticides including bio-pesticides, there is need to lobby the government to pass the Act without the delays experienced in other instances as well as seek to harmonize procedures for bio-pesticide regulations with those of other countries under COMPRO II.   UGANDA – MUZIRA FRED Regulation of fertilizer and pesticides falls under the mandate of Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). MAAIF implements the law through the Agricultural Chemicals Board (ACB). Agriculture is the backbone of the Uganda economy as is the case in other COMPRO II countries although it must be noted that the growth in agricultural produce is not commensurate to the rate of population growth. For example, in 2011, agriculture grew by 2.3% as against the population that grew at 3%. The fertility levels have gone down and Uganda is no longer the ‘Pearl of Africa’.

There is therefore need to use fertilizers to improve soil productivity. The uptake on the usage of fertilizer is still low compare to other developing countries. To be allowed to supply, either one must be resident of Uganda; if not, then one must have an agent who is a resident of Uganda. The test fees are USD 2,000 for three seasons and registration fees of USD 200 for the initial three years. The main challenges affecting fertilizers and pesticides in Uganda are to do with integrity and safety issues, as well as an inadequate regulatory framework. It is expected that once the 2012 Fertilizer Bill draft is passed will help facilitate the regulation of quality control of fertilizers and pesticides. In terms of capacity, there is only one laboratory in Uganda that deals with the testing of products. Currently, the main focus is to empower the farmers so that they can make informed choices.   FEED BACK FROM PLENARY The following issues were highlighted in the discussions on country experience;

• ADVANTAGE OF HARMONIZATION: There is need for harmonization of the regulation process. For example in Tanzania bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers must be screened for three seasons (which could mean three years). If the regulations are harmonized, and a product is tested in a COMPRO II country, it could only be screened for one season in another country. This could also mean that there would be need to lobby for a funding body, for example ASARECA. In addition, some countries have SOPs and guidelines for fertilizer and pesticides. COMPRO II needs to develop the guidelines for bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. There is a need to get the documents from different COMPRO II countries and harmonize them.

• COORDINATING INSTITUTIONS: There are many institutions in the COMPRO II countries that deal with the same thing. There needs to be a focal point in each country which coordinates and address the farmer’s issues. If the farmers are aware of such a body, then it will save them in terms of cost and time. This non-stop-shop for the farmers could either be neutral organization or any organization dealing with the bio-products.

• TESTING THE CERTIFICATION: there is need to have testing facilities to ascertain the quality of products. Twin N for instance, wanted to establish a company in East Africa,  Tanzania. However, after testing when it was realized that this product cannot work well in Africa, the plans were halted.

• POLITICAL WILL: There is need for will for political will to make sure that bills relating to bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides are approved. This includes the need for lobbying. There is need for a linkage between decision makers and the scientists. There are certain key words that need to be used in other to get the attention of decision makers, for example poverty reduction, unemployment, Maputo protocol, MDGs, etc.

Nigeria farmers partner a local Malaysia affiliated private company for organic fertilizer . 

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) led by Chief Femi Coker has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dynapharm International Limited, a local company with specialty in the production of organic fertilizers. Signing the MOU, the AFAN President said the time has come for farmers to join the Government’s initiative of private sector driving the economy adding the partnership with Dynapharm, a Malaysia affiliated company would ensure more availability of organic fertilizers to farmers at a very cheaper rate thereby urging the producer to embark on local production for more job creation at the level of the value chain. Speaking further on the relevance of the MOU, Chief Coker said that agriculture has no alternative like crude oil thereby directing all the distributors to ensure the availability of the organic fertilizer in the market for farmers’ improved yields, adding “I know farmers will not let me down as President of AFAN” The product tagged “ Farmers’ fertilizer” has the capability to give an increased yield to farmers’ produce according to the President of the Dynapharm, West Africa, Mr. Valentine Uneghu who promised that the local production of the company will soon commence to bring down the price. Mr. Uneghu said the MOU reflected the farmers taking up their destiny by themselves stressing “it is consolidating the Federal Government’s initiative of private driven economy with farmers taking an active role of seeing farming as business venture.

Speaking on the price modality of the products he said “the cost at which we are signing is highly discounted as we are interested in Africa coming up to feed themselves because everybody is interested in them. Right now the one litre of our fertilizer is highly concentrated as compared to others. The one litre can do an acre of a farm which other products cannot do relatively with its cost to farmers. But the price will further go down when we start the local production.

 The product is highly concentrated because it will still be diluted with waters in order to serve the purpose. We are in many countries of the world, Malaysia, US, Europe and East Africa. The product is very effective and very much accepted in these countries” However, the AFAN president has assured the organization of the site location whenever it is ready to set up a production plant in the country saying “the site location is not a problem in Nigeria. Almost every state has a plan for such project. Our problem may be how to locate the plant in more suitable place for accessibility. We have enough land in Nigeria and this cannot be much of any problem. Presently most fertilizers use in Nigeria is imported. This MOU will bring fertilizer closer to the farmers and this will increase their interest and outputs”.

 I am retired by Government for doing farming; Chief Femi Coker.

The President, All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Chief Femi Coker has said he was retired for doing farming while in government service as the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information,  Lagos state Government adding the sacked information was announced on the radio broadcast . Chief Coker said the regime of late Gen. Murtala Mohammed did not allow any civil servant to practice farming, and that was while he was retired before his time as career civil servant in the Lagos state Ministry of Information adding it was a price he had to pay for the love he has for doing farming in Nigeria then. He added that farmers in Nigeria appreciated this quality in him and that was why he was compensated as AFAN President saying “ I see it as a sacrifice, I was in government doing farming. I was sacked. The news came on the radio that I have been retired before my time during Late Gen. Murtala time in 1975. It was Chief Obasanjo that allowed civil servant and everybody including primary and secondary school pupils to do farming. However the farmers association recognized this and that is why they made me President of AFAN.

Although they did not say it openly but they put it into action by making me their president” The National Agric Show is ingenuity of the organizer, Dr. Tunde Arosanyin The former chairman, Kogi State Chapter, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Dr. Tunde Arosanyin has described the rumour going around about the legibility of the organizer of National Agricultural Show, a yearly interactive event being organized by a foundation, chaired by Senator Abdullahi Adamu where  farmers, researchers, scientist, financial institutions and public officials are brought together in order to share experiences for the purpose of better production and commercialization has been described as ingenuity on part of the concept owner which must not be criticized negatively. Dr. Awosanyin speaking with the Food Farm News at the close of the AFAN’s meeting held recently in Asokoro, Abuja said the farmers’ apex body cannot lay claim on the show concept saying he was privileged to be one of the five committee members drafted by the association to join in the discussions when the first National Show is to be held at Nazarawa, pointed that several meetings had been held with other corporate bodies before AFAN came into the discussion. According to him “there are many other representatives from the World bank, IFDC, CBN and representative of bankers’ forum who have already been holding meeting with National Agricultural Foundation before our Association was involved as a committee member and which I see as part of recognition given to us as farmers organization by then”.

He also stressed that major agricultural shows in abroad are being organized by big commercial farmers to showcase their produce and products pointing this ingenuity concept on behalf of organizer should be acknowledged as a platform for agricultural development stressed that the sky is so wide for birds to fly as “there are many opportunities the AFAN can exploit to impress its impact on the sector rather than being covetous of this show” Many stakeholders including AFAN members have been criticizing the National Agricultural  Show saying all the support the show has been getting from the Government always ended in the pocket of the organizer without any benefits going to farmers’ apex body who they believed should be the principal owner of the concept. It is noted that by 2008, the show was successfully institutionalized with the incorporation of the Foundation as an Non Governmental Organization (NGO) with the mandate to organize the annual National Agricultural Shows, provide policy and technical support as well as consultancy and capacity development services to the sector in collaboration with relevant public and private sector stakeholders and development partners. Already, six shows have been held since 2007 to 2012 in collaboration with FMARD and AFAN. From 2008, the practice has been to hold the show in the week of the World Food Day (WFD) in such a way that the WFD is observed on the Show Ground on the last day of the show. Speaking on the reorganization going on the association, Dr. Awosanyin said about thirty states have conducted new chairmanship election remaining six with FCT adding progress is on going for the National President election. “We have successfully conducted election in about thirty states of the federation which was witnessed by the community’s civil societies.

This can be confirmed by the caliber of people from various places you have seen here today as many have left before your arrival. A lot have been done to reposition the association to the reality of the present day agricultural needs for the benefit of Nigeria‘s farmers who are majorly small scale farmers who are always at the receiving end when the chips are down. We have consulted all necessary stakeholders before embarking on the election we have conducted in all the states remaining about six including FCT, and maybe we will invite you for the one of FCT” Although no specific date is given for the post of National President of the Association by Dr. Arosanyi other than the completion of the election into the Chairmanship position of the other six states will determine the day for the plum position adding the association has got the support of the Chief Femi Coker and other board of trustees members to go ahead. 

National Agric Show comes up Oct 21-24.

The Annual National Agricultural Show with the theme “Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation (ATA) in Nigeria” has been slated for October 21th -24^th just immediately after the World Food Celebration at the same venue Km 28, Abuja-Keffi Road, Tundun Wada, Karu Local Government, Nasarawa state. Preparation for the show is in top gear as posters and every necessary invitation to stakeholders at the states and federal level are already being dispatched to ensure adequate participation. The National Coordinator, Dr. Samuel Negedu was seen signing out letters of invitation as at the time of our visit to the office at Abuja. Already Federal Ministry of Agriculture is involved in the preparation as the theme of the show is centred on  ATA which is the main thrust of  Mr. President’s policy on agricultural repositioning towards employment and wealth creation for the nation. Already, six shows have been held since 2007 to 2012 in collaboration with FMARD and AFAN. From 2008, the practice has been to hold the show in the week of the World Food Day (WFD) in such a way that the WFD is observed on the Show Ground on the last day of the show, but this year’s own may be vise -visa as the WFD will be held before the show.

 Naic sensitization on agric insurance receives applaud. 

Commendations for Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) are on the increase just as farmers from Osun state joined their collegue from Gombe , Delta and Enugu to appreciate the awareness sensitization exercise the corporation has since been embarked upon to keep farming communities abreast of the need for insurance policy on agricultural production in the face of climate change challenges. In a press release made available to us, the farmers who attended the work shop organized by NAIC at Osogbo, Osun state capital expressed their desire to imbibe the culture of insurance practice but emphasized on the need for more education on the available benefits they can derive from the corporation’s services.

The Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Tijjani Garba in the press statement had admonished farmers on the need to take agricultural insurance policy very serious so as to minimize farm losses and risk normally associated with agro allied businesses adding that his organization has been repositioned to prompt payment of claims which was exhibited during flood disaster of the last year.

The press release also indicated that the sensitization exercise was intended to achieve making farmers to know the measures to deplore in mitigating flood effect and other natural disaster that can hamper greater yields and harvest stating further “the management is reaching out to farmers across the nation with the view to improving on capacity through modern farming management methods, storage and marketing of their produce, using insurance cover to safe guard their investment” However the Farmers in general under the apex umberalla of All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria ( AFAN) Enugu Chapter had commended the prompt payment of claims by NAIC with the view that the spirit will be continued in time of distress.

 Community Seeds production may eradicate fake seed. 

The fake seeds circulation in the year 2012 Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) programme of the Federal Government has been generating mix reactions especially in some of the foreign affiliated projects in Nigeria, and this may have resulted to many of them getting more disposed to the encouragement of community seeds production through the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) certification. Food Farm News checks revealed that major farming projects stakeholders at the states level are not happy about the quality of seeds that were distributed to farmers during the last GES exercise as many of them are grains bought in the market that add no value to increase yield of crops produce. They said the time has come for stringent measures against this dubious act so as to curtail shortages of farmers’ production and at the same time called for the encouragement of promotion of the community seeds that will be certified by NASC.

 Community seeds production, they argued will help to reduce the craze for buying grains in order to meet up job order of the Federal government to rural farmers. Many of the stakeholders cautioned that the increasing numbers of the seeds companies must be checked because Nigeria has not got enough Institutional Infrastructure to ensure standard quality production especially in the face of electricity challenges. They posited that communities seed production will put a check to proliferation of seeds as only those companies with competent hands will be left in the business by the time government are no more buying and thereby allow farmers to sort themselves by this means.

One of them who want to be called Mallam said that “the increase in numbers of seed companies is as a result of the GES programme that government is giving seeds to farmers free of charge. And this has made many people to go to market and buy grains to distribute as improved seeds to farmers. We know one or two of the private seeds companies who are competent, and they know what production of quality seeds means. But with what has happened in the last GES programme, many of us may not want to take any government seeds because it results to waste of effort when your expectations are not met in terms of yield”.    

IFAD ready to spend 85million dollar for CBARDP 11 ; Atsuko Toda

 The visit of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inspection mission team to the seven states of the North including Sokoto, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Bornu,Zamfara and Yobe where the Community Based Agricultural Development Programme (CBARDP) phase 1 is winding up has revealed a satisfactory performance with readiness of IFAD  to spend additional  Eighty five million dollar in the phase 11 with commercial focus  along the value chain crops of the Federal Government (FG) Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA)  with more involvement of private sector .

The Country Programme Manager, Mrs Atsuko Toda speaking to Food farm News during a short break of the mission wrap up meeting held at National office in Kastina said the main purpose of the visit is to be able to access the impact of the programme on the participating states so as to know areas of improvement, adding the second phase will soon commence with more focus on agricultural productivity as business and entrepreneur involvement on contract bases. Mrs. Atsuko Toda stressed that the second phase will build on the strength of the first that has made positive impact on 5,000 households through enhanced productivity in sorghum, millet, cowpea, maize and rice through the use of Community Development Association (CDA), and its implementation committee saying about 42.5 million dollar has been released from IFAD with 99% disbursement added that the performance effect in Nigeria was impressive. Speaking, the IFAD mission leader, Iqbal Sobhan emphasis the need to expand the programme around ATA of the Federal Government with more youths and women involvement, emphasizing support for community based seed production through National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) certification and private driven agricultural extension service through engagement on contract basis. Other areas the phase 11 of the programme will focus are “strengthening value chain support for market with access to agricultural information, taking the issue of climate change very serious in farming community areas by provision of climate change resilience and adoption through demonstration that will address erosion in the landscaping level.

 Enterprises Development for women and youths through a business plan action that can attract financial support especially from those commercial banks who are already doing agric business” said Mr. Sobhan. Mr. Sobhan’s demand to know whether the CBARDP 11 has to be increased from present 204 association groups to 750 was unanimously agreed upon as all the program officers from the seven participating states said the reality of extending the positive impact of the programme to others is very strategic to achieving rural empowerment. The National Programme Cordinator, Alhaji Abu Yusuf Kankia in his summation wanted direct link with the Research Institutes especially in the area of getting quality seeds for the sake of  farmers since the programme is a community driven that touches the lives of rural people who may not have the technical skill to identify fake seeds until harvest period when yield may go below expectation adding that “ We will work with the extension service of Federal Government using the private sector driven extension on contract bases” Issue on the need to use state ADPs did not get much positive support as the second IFAD- CBARDP is focused to key into using the private driven extension model of the Federal Government towards agricultural commercialization and enterprises according to IFAD Country Officer, Mr. Ben Odoemena who said the 2^nd phase project would give high priority to agriculture as group will be organized along Federal Government value chain on rice, sorghum, maize, onion, vegetables, sheep and goat. Talking about restructuring of the CDA, as it was suggested either to be modified along agricultural line of social committee, food security committee and D&M committee or to be retained in the old structure. The general view supported the old model for more participation as it includes “Agric committee, Works committee, water committee, Health/sanitation committee, Education Committee, Social/ self committee, Procurement committee and Monitoring &Evaluation Committee” .    

IFAD-CBARDP achievement in Sokoto State. 

Sokoto is one of the seven participating states in the Community Based Agricultural Rural Development Programme (CBARDP) in partnership with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and its participation in the programme has impacted meaningfully on the lives of the rural people in terms of increased agricultural productivity, making portable waters availability, rural feeder roads for produce evacuation to the market places and many other institutional provisions that is worthy of adding value to better living of her people. Being an agrarian state, His Excellency, Sarkin Yamma of Sokoto,  Alhaji (Dr.) Aliyu Magatakarda Wammkko is very disposed to any agricultural initiative that will enhance economic living standard of  his people who are mostly at the rural areas, and this he has displayed by ensuring the prompt payment of its counterpart fund together with all local government chairmen and benefitting communities which according to State Programme Officer (SPO), Alhaji Aminu Aliyu D/ Daji is a big plus for the programme’s  continuity and achievement since its inception. As the programme is winding up by December, 2013 to begin the phase 2, the stock- taking of its impact on the rural people of Sokoto has become very imperative based on fund expended by IFAD, State and participating local government which was confirmed in our chat with the Country Programme Manager of the Program, Mrs. Atsuko Toda that a total of 42.5 million dollar has been committed towards poverty alleviation in general aside the each participating state’s contributions. According to Nigeria IFAD manager who mentioned Sokoto state has one of the very proactive states said “from IFAD, the commitment is 42. 5 million dollar and of which 99% has been disbursed which is also very good in the country.

Now coming to states, we have states like Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bornu etc that have given large amount of counterpart commitment because of the impact of the programme in the states.” In sokoto state, the programme with its objective to empower rural communities towards identifying their needs in a broad range of agricultural and rural development initiatives with internalized community driven development (CCD) following government policies and producedures , is being implemented in twelve (12) local government comprising of thirty six (36).

The benefiting local government are Bijni, Gada, Gwadabawa, Gudu, Dange Shuni, Shagari, Saban Birni, Sokoto South, Tangaza, Tureta and Yabo. In each local Government area, three (3) villages area were selected for participation and is 100% funded by the Sokoto state government since commencement in 2012. The repayment of the loan attitude exhibited by participating communities speak more volume of the acceptability of the programme in the local government councils and this has resulted to increase of the villages in Tambuwal, Illela and Goronyo with 100% funding by the local authorities  according to SPO of Sokoto state. The SPO , Alhaji Aliyu D/Daji   said IFAD-CBARDP  has been able to reduce poverty level in all the participating communities by twenty percent (20%) ,and economic trade is being strengthened and supported with the evidence of Hajia Naan Yar’ Tuttudawa of Kwargaba village and Musa Dankifi from Kebbi village According to him “ Hajia Nana Yar’ tawa Tuttudawa is a peasant widow farmer who before IFAD-CBARDP  intervention was cultivating less than one hectare of land without nothing or no income. But with IFAD intervention, she was given a support of two goats for rearing and fattening, which she has already repaid.

This support subsequently yielded goat, rams, and sheep which she has been selling to make more money with capital base of N120, 000.00. She is now actively engaged in mixed farming with an increase of her farm lands to 2 hectares, thereby becoming a major female producer of both domestic animals and cash crops namely rice, onion, garlic with 100 bags of paddy rice and 70 of onions and garlic respectively” “ Also at Kebbi village before the advent of IFAD-CBARDP programme, Musa Dankifi, a 35year motor conductor left for farming through IFAD intervention and persuasion from his elder brother, Alhaji Adamu Kebbe to join irrigation farming group in the village. In 2009, he was trained and supported with irrigation farm inputs such as tube well, water pump, seeds and fertilizer worth N65, 000.00 for rice production and in subsequent year, he was able to pay back the loan support provided him by the programme and bought a land (1.1HA) worth N120,000 with which he continues with rice irrigation that resulted to increase capital and income up to the end of 2011 season when he bought a salon car worth N650,000 for commercial operation in his village. Musa has been able to employ eleven youths who are working with him, and receiving training in irrigation rice farming. Musa has expanded his rice production with pair of animal traction and a house worth N1,195,000 and today he is one of the leading rice producer in kebbe village of Sokoto state”    

The programme impact. Sustainable Agriculture:

1. The yield of crops such as millet, sorghum, Cowpea, rice and groundnut has increased in this order from 1.25 tones per/ha to 2.5, 1.0 tones per/ha to 1.8, 0.28tones to 1.8 tones per/ha, 0.9tones per/ha to 1.8 per/ha and 1.2 tones per/ha to 1.9 tones per/ha. This increase was a result of better management practices and provision of improved seeds, Agro chemicals and fertilizer to farmers by the programme.
2. The land use for up-land and low lands increased from 3,200ha to 5,200ha and 2,210 ha to 2,820 ha respectively. This was as a result of the reclamation of degraded and marginal lands, coupled with the provision of tube wells and water pumps to farmers across the intervention areas.
3. Introduction of Rural Farm Inputs Shops (RUFIS) in the village areas has reduced the problem of adulterated fertilizers and agro chemicals. Farmers having access to fertilizer increased from 1,000 to 2,200, and agro chemical from 520 to 1100 dealers. Reputable companies such as NOTORI and African Agro Chemical Limited were linked with the 36 RUFIS across the villages which allowed the farmers to get genuine and un- adulterated inputs at the shops located within the areas.
4. 
   

Community Infrastructure

1. Community transportation is enhanced through the provision of 875km rural access road for easy movement of agricultural produce against the 482km before the intervention of IFAD-CBARDP.
2. Access to portable water through the provision of 3,000 water points for both human and animal consumption as against 1,487 before intervention, and this has translated to people having portable drinking water increase from 10,020 to 18,920 thereby representing 89% reduction in the prevalence water born diseases such as cholera and guinea worm.

Gender and vulnerable groups

1. The programme supported the provision and up grading of 200 health posts with twenty constructed/rehabilitated clinics as against the 106 health post before intervention thereby bringing to 6,280 people having access to health facilities as against 2,120 before intervention.
2. With the provision/up -grading of 720 functional Adult literacy centres across the participating village areas, people attending functional literacy classes increased from 1820 to 2,820 with gender aggregate of 1,820 males and 1000 females.
3. Girl Child is being promoted in collaboration with UNICEF and GCE Foundation in Tarke, D/ Tsolawo, Tozai VA’s in lllela Local government, and Awakkala via Goronyo LG, where girls’ enrollment for primary education was not encouraging before the intervention. The collaboration has succeeded in girls having a prospect of pursuing education beyond primary level. (e.g in lllela local government about 57 males and 21 females are now in JSS1)

Institutional support

1. 1.      The programme has succeeded in the registration of Apex Associations as Community Development Associations ( CDA) to operate as independent and democratic body with legal backing. The CDA now explore areas for community development activities from state, local government, and other agencies concerned with developmental activities.
2. 2.      Technical support was provided for tailoring, knitting, carpentry, blacksmithing, vulcanizing, soap and pomade making, Hand Craft, Petty trading and welding work in all the participating communities.
3. 3.      The programme has established 21 Financila service Associations with a capital base of N4m which provided soft loan to 257 individual disaggregated by 154 males and 103 female. Moreover the collaboration with BOA has enabled a credit facility of N15m which was also disbursed to small and medium scale entrepreneurs. This effort has boosted the economic activities of the beneficiaries.

  Achievement in line with ATA About 908 farmers benefited in the e-wallet inputs supply with 1,816 bags (90metric tones) of NPK, 908 bags (45.4metric tones), Crystallizer 908 (45.4metric tones), Agrolyser 1,816 bottle and rice seeds (45.4metric tones) and already compilation of wheat farmers’ name in the state is ongoing as directed by the Federal Government towards commercial production. Also a significant work has been done by the  programme to promote adoption and large productions of rice improved varieties such as Faro 44 and Nerica. At present, some local government areas including Goronyo, Wurno, Kware, Wammakko, Isa, Rabah, Silame and some part of Tambuwal has been identified as commercial areas for rice production which investors can directly contact through the state IFAD office. Conclusion. IFAD-CBARDP has been able to employ twenty youths each in the 12 local government of the state along the value chain of rice plantation, millet, sorghum, water melon and many other women just as soil test is always conducted before cultivation and fertilizer application.

Groundnut production at the mercy of scarce certified seeds

The Presidential dream of increasing production of groundnut to reflect the days of pyramid of the sixties may have been hampered by the scarcity of improved seeds for the produce cum official delay from the ministry toward take off. Food Farm News reliably gathered that the anticipated pace to ensure increased production through the value chain of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) has been facing challenges of certified  seeds which are not ready available for farmers. A source told us that scarcity of certified groundnut seeds has put a lot of pressure on farmers who he said might end up buying grains as seeds if checkmating measures are not put in place immediately. Presently, the Groundnut, Processors and marketers Association of Nigeria (GPMAN) has said it has already started giving their registered members certified seeds from Kano Agricultural Rural Development Programme (KNARDP) for planting but complained that government needs to wade in so as to ameliorate this problem.

 The association National Secretary, Mr. Niyi Adebayo Ajayi   who was representing the National President, Hon. Foni said the certified seeds given to members are bought from KNARDP saying “the varieties are Sam nut 22 and 23 as these seeds have more oil content, high yield of 2 to 2.5 tons per hectare with maturing date between 90-100 days” Mr. Niyi added “we shall be test running these varieties through our farmers to see how effective it will be in yield per hectare. This is the reflection of our promise to government towards ensuring the realization of increased production, but it is import that government must be disposed to our plight to achieve the dream of Mr. President in the shortest time”. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had said he would like to see the old groundnut pyramid of the North come back with increased production that will meet the reality of the present day demands with global competiveness. The Presidential pronouncement has necessitated the inclusion of the produce in the value chain of ATA by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) so as to improve positively on its production, processing and marketing internally and externally.

Towards this end, the ministry being led by Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina has signed an MOU with ICRISAT so as to assist in the capacity building process for farmers towards the increased production in five pilot states of Kano, Jigawa, Katina, Kaduna and Bauchi all in the Northern Nigeria. Athough, Food Farm News has learnt that the signed MOU is yet to commence in these states due to lack of fund with emphasis that the programmes will soon start as ICRISAT is ready for the take off. Report has shown that the global market demand for groundnut oil is on the increase with Nigeria’s improved production having a better chance of positively affecting farmers’ poverty through more economic earnings and job creation.

Federal Government engages German International Cooperation to train farmers

The Federal Government through her main agriculture ministry and Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) has engaged the services of German International Cooperation (Giz) in the skill enhancement of farmers in five crops of the value chain of Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Mr. President. This engagement of Giz by government must have been hinged on the positive impact of its Farmer Business School (FBS) on cocoa producers across five states of the country where more than 22,000 benefitted in the effective management and technical practices of the produce towards more economic empowerment. Mr. Ayo Akinola, the Giz country technical advisor said this business relationship is imbedded on the repositioning of the sector into right business perspective thereby moving away from the perceived developmental project to global business practice where technical skill and management training will boost farmers’ production with mind set of processing and marketing. The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina has always believed in the development of the sector with the private sector at the driver’s seat while government officials should concentrate on policy formulation. Many sample opinions at the national stock-taking workshop organized in Akure, Ondo state believed the Federal Government’s engagement of the Giz FBS in farming skill and management impartation to farmers across five crops will have great positive multiplier effects on the poverty alleviation in the rural areas. They argued the experience of the FBS in Abia, Cross River, Edo, Ondo and Osun states showed that “more than 22,000 cocoa producers with 35% women have received FSB training since July 2010 till date and it  has  significantly reflected on the management of cocoa farms and technical practices of farmers with low wastages, and less expenses on agro chemicals. The five crops being targeted for skill transfer by both the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and NIRSAL of the CBN are cotton, rice, soya bean, cocoa and tomato.

Speaking on the occasion, the NIRSAL representative, Mr. Musa Buba emphasized the commitment of its management to helping farmers pay back 40-50% of the loan interest adding the intervention is to ensure repayment and to build confidence on the commercial banks towards lending into agricultural businesses as the skill of farmers are also enhance to reduce cost occasioned by lack of technical practices. Groundnut production at the mercy of scarce certified seeds The Presidential dream of increasing production of groundnut to reflect the days of pyramid of the sixties may have been hampered by the scarcity of improved seeds for the produce cum official delay from the ministry toward take off. Food Farm News reliably gathered that the anticipated pace to ensure increased production through the value chain of Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) has been facing challenges of certified  seeds which are not ready available for farmers. A source told us that scarcity of certified groundnut seeds has put a lot of pressure on farmers who he said might end up buying grains as seeds if checkmating measures are not put in place immediately. Presently, the Groundnut, Processors and marketers Association of Nigeria (GPMAN) has said it has already started giving their registered members certified seeds from Kano Agricultural Rural Development Programme (KNARDP) for planting but complained that government needs to wade in so as to ameliorate this problem. The association National Secretary, Mr. Niyi Adebayo Ajayi   who was representing the National President, Hon. Foni said the certified seeds given to members are bought from KNARDP saying “the varieties are Sam nut 22 and 23 as these seeds have more oil content, high yield of 2 to 2.5 tons per hectare with maturing date between 90-100 days” Mr. Niyi added “we shall be test running these varieties through our farmers to see how effective it will be in yield per hectare. This is the reflection of our promise to government towards ensuring the realization of increased production, but it is import that government must be disposed to our plight to achieve the dream of Mr. President in the shortest time”. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had said he would like to see the old groundnut pyramid of the North come back with increased production that will meet the reality of the present day demands with global competiveness. The Presidential pronouncement has necessitated the inclusion of the produce in the value chain of ATA by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) so as to improve positively on its production, processing and marketing internally and externally.

Towards this end, the ministry being led by Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina has signed an MOU with ICRISAT so as to assist in the capacity building process for farmers towards the increased production in five pilot states of Kano, Jigawa, Katina, Kaduna and Bauchi all in the Northern Nigeria. Athough, Food Farm News has learnt that the signed MOU is yet to commence in these states due to lack of fund with emphasis that the programmes will soon start as ICRISAT is ready for the take off. Report has shown that the global market demand for groundnut oil is on the increase with Nigeria’s improved production having a better chance of positively affecting farmers’ poverty through more economic earnings and job creation.   Federal Government engages German International Cooperation to train farmers The Federal Government through her main agriculture ministry and Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) has engaged the services of German International Cooperation (Giz) in the skill enhancement of farmers in five crops of the value chain of Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Mr. President. This engagement of Giz by government must have been hinged on the positive impact of its Farmer Business School (FBS) on cocoa producers across five states of the country where more than 22,000 benefitted in the effective management and technical practices of the produce towards more economic empowerment. Mr. Ayo Akinola, the Giz country technical advisor said this business relationship is imbedded on the repositioning of the sector into right business perspective thereby moving away from the perceived developmental project to global business practice where technical skill and management training will boost farmers’ production with mind set of processing and marketing. The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina has always believed in the development of the sector with the private sector at the driver’s seat while government officials should concentrate on policy formulation. Many sample opinions at the national stock-taking workshop organized in Akure, Ondo state believed the Federal Government’s engagement of the Giz FBS in farming skill and management impartation to farmers across five crops will have great positive multiplier effects on the poverty alleviation in the rural areas.

They argued the experience of the FBS in Abia, Cross River, Edo, Ondo and Osun states showed that “more than 22,000 cocoa producers with 35% women have received FSB training since July 2010 till date and it  has  significantly reflected on the management of cocoa farms and technical practices of farmers with low wastages, and less expenses on agro chemicals. The five crops being targeted for skill transfer by both the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and NIRSAL of the CBN are cotton, rice, soya bean, cocoa and tomato. Speaking on the occasion, the NIRSAL representative, Mr. Musa Buba emphasized the commitment of its management to helping farmers pay back 40-50% of the loan interest adding the intervention is to ensure repayment and to build confidence on the commercial banks towards lending into agricultural businesses as the skill of farmers are also enhance to reduce cost occasioned by lack of technical practices.

Loading