Anambra Agric Programme Attracts $745m

Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has said that his administration’s agricultural programme aimed at making the state self-sufficient in food production has attracted about $745million in less than two years.

Governor Obiano who disclosed this at the weekend while flagging-off this year’s farming season at Otuocha, in Anambra-East local government area of the state, expressed satisfaction with the injection of $150 million (N30 billion) by Coched Farms Limited, a subsidiary of Coscharis Limited into its agricultural project in the state.

He further announced that Joseph Agro Limited, has invested the sum of $200 million (N40 billion) into its rice farming project in the state.

Governor Obiano further disclosed that Ekcel Farms in Umueje community, has invested $220 million (N44 billion) in cassava and tomato paste production, adding that Lynden Farms Limited, plans to set up an ultra-modern poultry farm in the state at the cost of $60 million ((N12 billion).

Governor Obiano emphasized that agriculture remained the corner stone of his administration, adding that his administration targets to become one of the three top states in the country in agricultural production.

He observed that the only way to sustain the gains already made in the agricultural sector is “to seek creative ways of multiplying the prospects of farming as a rewarding enterprise for farmers.”

He said, “As a consequence of this, we have created the Anambra State Farmers Enhancement Scheme to boost the chances of success for smallholder farmers in the state.”

Earlier in his speech, the commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, said that the 2015 farming season with the theme “Pushing the Frontiers of Agriculture in Anambra State,” provided an opportunity for the governor to interact with farmers and stakeholders in the sector.

In his goodwill message, the South-East regional director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Uche Nwafor, commended the Anambra State government for supporting the federal government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme.

Wheat Production: Nigeria Still Far From Millers’ Demand

As the country looks towards reduction in wheat imports, wheat farmers in Sokoto and Kebbi States relish their experiences in the production of wheat as they claimed the federal government has not been encouraging enough. They spoke to Agbo-Paul Augustine in their farms in Sokoto and Kebbi recently
Aliyu Maigoro, 9, a primary four pupil of the 40-year-old Magaji Rafi model primary school in Tudan Wada, Sokoto North local government area enjoys his biscuits as he walks to school in the morning. He munches his sweetened biscuits with all pleasure, far from the intrigues of wheat farming and the ordeal millers’ face in getting the vital cash crop to feed their factories thousands of kilometres away from Sokoto.

Wheat also known as Alkama by the locals in northern Nigeria is the main source of flour production, biscuits and other confectionery in Nigeria. The production of wheat in Nigeria is said to be about 300,000 metric tonnes a year, a sharp contrast to about 4.2 million metric tonnes millers require to keep their factories in operation.

According to the executive director, Lake Chad Research Institute, Dr Oluwasina Olabanji, the average grain yield for wheat in the country is above 2.0 tonnes per hectare, although research has shown that this can be easily tripled if proper varieties and crop management is adopted.

The poor production level in Nigeria has put the cost of importation of wheat at a staggering N635 billion (about $4 billion) annually. The federal government through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) came with various measures including the inclusion of 10 per cent cassava flour to wheat flour production.

The Wheat Transformation Agenda, which is part of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the outgone government, has a major target to increase national production from 300,000 metric tonnes to about 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum by 2017.

When LEADERSHIP Sunday took a tour of some wheat production belts of Sokoto and Kebbi states recently, it was clear that the challenges facing wheat production in Nigeria are enormous, many wheat producers are frustrated.

Wheat is planted in November and harvested early March and requires diligent attention because it is a sensitive crop. In Sokoto State, farmers revealed that their major challenges in the state are farm inputs, improved seedlings and access to finance and market.

Wheat is produced in Goronyo, Illela, Gwadabawa, Wamako, Yabo, Wurno, Sabon Birni, Kebbe, Shagari and Gada LGAs and largely rely on water from the Goronyo Dam while others rely on self-help.

The chairman, Wheat Farmers Association, Sokoto State, Mohammed Mahe Marafa speaking to FoodFarmNews in Goronyo said when the going was better, Sokoto produce more than 30,000 metric tonnes of wheat in three months.

Marafa noted that the government in the past buys wheat from farmers around Sokoto, but that stopped in 1985, a situation that has put farmers at a precarious situation. “We produce while government buys and give us money, but later government withdrew in 1985 and the situation has remained so till date,” Marafa said.
He said they were limited by the federal government to a certain variety which was given in addition to few fertilizers which were far from being enough.

“We got more than 500 bags (25 tonnes) because the seedlings they gave us were meagre. The most disheartening aspect of the whole thing was that the federal government that gave us the variety never showed up to buy the harvest from us.

“From the month of March, we kept waiting and waiting and up to November, another planting season came without a trace of the government.”

He said the Sokoto State government did not show much interest in wheat production. However, Marafa noted that wheat farmers are looking out for markets to sell their produce.

In Kebbi State, wheat is found in large quantity in Argungu, Augie, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Kalgo, Jega, Maiyama, Dandi, Suru, Bagudo, Koko/Besse, Shanga, Yauri, Ngaski and Gwandu LGAs.

Alhaji Muhammad Sahabi Augie, a wheat farmer who represented the president, Kebbi State Wheat Farmers Association, Ibrahim Argungu, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that fuel cost, lack of mechanisation, high interest rate for credits from banks including the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) at 13 per cent is still not low enough for wheat farmers.

He stated that though the state has about 20,000 farmers, the number is likely to increase if the government is seen to be serious with wheat farming programme. The high loss by farmers has forced many to turn their back on the grain.

Augie however, stated that farmers are trying to key into the federal government’s ATA programme. ‘Some are just trying to test the waters and ascertain government’s readiness, especially with buying back the produce. If farmers get good support in terms of inputs, fertilizer, implements (threshers) and market, the number would quadruple the present figure’.

Wheat harvest in Kebbi State according to Augie is about 990 tonnes, no sales has been made yet. The variety mostly planted is that from the Lake Chad Research Institute, called Atilla Gan Atilla, an exotic breed that gives an average of 4 – 4.5 tons per hectare.

Augie also believes establishing relationship with flour milling companies with an ‘outgrowers’ scheme would be much better than bank credits because every party to the arrangement would be very committed to see to the success.

He pointed out that engagement to thriving wheat farming would employ a lot of youths and reduce restiveness, thus improving the peace of the area and society at large.
In Kebbi State, farmers say the government buys wheat at N25,000 a bag but in Sokoto State, farmers are not that lucky to enjoy government patronage.

When contacted, the immediate past commissioner of agriculture, Sokoto State, Mohammed Arzika Tureta declined to make any statement on the matter. But a senior official in the ministry who pleaded for anonymity said wheat farmers in Sokoto State rely on the open market to sell their farm produce as ‘government does not buy wheat from local farmers in the state’.

The source further said the Sokoto State government through the Nigerian Incentive Based Risk Sharing System of Agricultural Lending of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), has empowered several farmers in getting funds that are friendly and affordable.

“Farmers are not getting patronage in the state and this has affected the production of wheat. Sokoto State has no scheme aimed at buying wheat from farmers. The farmers have to find market for their produce”, the source revealed.

Also speaking, a Soil Scientist at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof Sumaila Sani Noma, was of the view that wheat is no longer a common crop in Sokoto State.

“The farmers have now shifted to irrigated rice instead and the reason largely is the lack of market because importation has put pressure on local production. The imported wheat are cheaper for the users and those making bread and associated food products buy foreign wheat leaving local farmers without a market”, Noma said.

Noma added that the soil in Sokoto State is best for wheat production. “You can grow wheat at the low land areas where a considerable amount of clay soil exists in the state because they have added retention of water,” he noted.

With a little above 1,000 MT from Sokoto and Kebbi States and the situation in the North East not still suitable for farmers, Nigeria’s journey to wheat sustenance is better described as daunting.

Little Maigoro in Sokoto may still have his delicious biscuits but his parents will continue to cough more money while farmers, as well as millers, will continue to languish and pay more foreign exchange to get high grade wheat to feed their hungry factories.

Agric Co-operative Societies Hold Great Benefits

Agricultural co-operative societies are platforms for assessing funding interventions from government. Ruth Tene Natsa writes on why farmers should exploit them  

“I cannot afford to take the loans banks are giving to farmers because I don’t have any collateral and neither can I afford the interests on those loans.”
These are the words of Margaret Iliya, a rice farmer from Kachia.

According to her, “ I do not have a house or land, I do not even have anything of value that I can give as collateral for the loans and even If I do, I cannot afford to pay the 15 per cent the banks are asking for.”
Iliya is not the only farmer that is having issues with access to loans due to her ignorance of the fact that she could join hands with other farmers to create a stronger base for accessing funds and providing good collateral basis as was the case of Madam Mary, a fresh produce farmer from Jos.

“For me belonging to a co-operative society is the best thing that happened to me because we were able to purchase a power tiller and tractor which we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford. With the new machinery now, it has helped reduce our labour and will help expand our production. Our co-operative society, the Small Holder Organisation Farmers In Nigeria (SHOFN), linked us with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and we were able to acquire the power tiller after a 20 per cent down payment, while the balance is spread across 12 months,” she said.

She added, “There are lots of benefits to gain from co-operative societies,they provide one with a platform to acquire machinery, seeds and fertilisers, in addition to helping to access loans.”
The lack of collateral to take advantage of the various funding platforms provided by various financial institutions such as the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) or even the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also been identified as a major challenge.

Permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sunny Echono, has also echoed the benefits of agricultural co-operative societies to farmers especially as regards assess to the N220billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Echono,who spoke at the maiden special matriculation ceremony of the Federal Co-operative College, Organised for Co-operative Registrars and Officers of FMARD undergoing professional diploma courses on co-operatives at NCDC Sheda, was represented by the director of co-operatives, Dr Dickson Okolo.

Echono revealed that the ministry was also in touch with officials of the Nigerian Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) on how best to assist farmer groups and agricultural co-operatives access credits for their farming operations.
He added, “With a good number of available credit windows now in place, we are confident that the difficulties in accessing credit from financial service providers will soon be a thing of the past.”

Restating the commitment of the ministry towards supporting co-operative societies to play a greater role in achieving the goals of the federal government’s transformation agenda, Echono further added that” it is partly for this reason that approval was given for the 23 staff of the ministry to attend the 9 months course. We hope the training you receive at the end of the programme will equip you to be technically able to discharge your duties as cooperative registrars and officers respectively.”

Presenting a paper on the theme: “Repositioning Cooperatives for Greater Impact of the Nigerian Economy,” Mrs Justina Otaokpukpu, spoke on the challenges of Nigerian co-operatives to include weak co-operative movement, lack of enabling laws, limited access to finance, weak infrastructure, lack of awareness, among several others.

In her address, acting provost of the Institution, Hajiya Aisha Ishaq, called for a law establishing the college, better staffing of the institution, additional academic programmes, capacity building and teacher training programmes, provision of ICT infrastructures and facilities, fencing of the college as well as construction of student hostels.

There is no doubt that farmers would gain a lot by joining co-operative societies. It would not only help them access loans, but would stand as absolute guarantee in terms of emergencies caused by flooding and other natural disasters to their produce.

Farmers across Nigeria are in good stead to access various funding windows created by the immediate past government. It is imperative that every farmer should take advantage of these windows to further develop the nation’s agriculture.

Energy Tops My Agenda For Africa – Adesina

The president-elect African Development Bank (AfDB) and former minister for Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina has said energy efficiency will top his agenda for Africa when he assumes office in September.
He said the power challenges in Africa were unacceptable because without power there can be no industrialisation,  inclusive growth, Private sector growth or agro processing.

Akinwumi who spoke at an emotion laden sent forth ceremony on Friday June 12, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture to honour him and his counterpart Minister of State, Hajia Asabe Asmau Ahmed  who was noticeably absent was optimistic that “curbing power challenges will give rise to the much needed industrialisation Africa was long due for”.

In his words ” the number one thing on my agenda for Africa is energy,the fact that Africa does not have energy is not acceptable and we cannot have industrialisation, private sector development and agro processing unless we have power”.

He said, “Africa must power itself and with that we can have industrialisation, be Green and become a global power house in food and Agriculture.”

Akinwumi in his appreciation for the support he received during the campaigns said, “I feel so proud as a Nigerian for the tremendous support I received from everybody,particularly former president  Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who nominated me and generously supported me and President Muhammadu Buhari who made several interventions and worked ceaselessly to ensure we won the elections.”

Akinwumi  said, “It is a great honour to have been called,I did not win elections I was simply given a responsibility to lead Africa to achieve Inclusive growth and I know together we will build an Africa where we have inclusive growth, prosperity, peace, stability and security and an Africa we will all be proud to call our Africa.

He assured he would not rest until poverty was eradicated on the continent through the development of power infrastructure across Africa.

For the many stakeholders who poured encomiums on the former Minister including members of the National Assembly, diplomats, youth farmers, rural farmers and cassava growers among several others, described Adesina as an outstanding personality who had not only revived the nation’s agriculture, but is set to do Africa and indeed the world proud.

Presenting a toast to the minister and his wife, Mrs Grace Adesina, former director of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and also a former VP of the AfDB, Mrs Aruma Oteh, noted that “Akinwumi’s emergence as the President of the AfDB calls for celebration  because in the bank’s over 50 years of existence,this is the first time a Nigerian would emerge as its leader.

It would be recalled that Akinwumi Adesina emerged the AfDB president after securing 58 percent of the total votes on May 28, 2015 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and will succeed Donald Kaberuka on September  1,

Council Advocates Youth Engagement In Agriculture

The Chairman, International Youth Council (IYC), Mr Onu Okorie, has called on youths to engage in agriculture and other innovations to reduce the rate of unemployment.

Okorie made the appeal on Thursday during a news conference on the forthcoming International Youth conference tagged `Youth Civic engagement’ schedule for Aug. 12, in Abuja.
“Agriculture should be the starting point with every family, traditional institutions, every youth, as well as the public and private sectors.
“Youths should be encouraged to own and cultivate on farms to permanently eradicate hunger and poverty across the world,’’ he said.

Okorie said one of the focuses of the youth conference was the empowerment, job creation, diversification of countries’ source of income to include technological development and commercialisation of research to develop agriculture.

He also called on government to embark on the re-orientation of the public on the need to save guard the environment through aggressive tree planting campaigns to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“The IYC will not rest on its oars until jobs are created for the youths across the world, hunger is eradicated and global peace is achieved.

“We will ensure that government, philanthropists as well as corporate organisations, are making concerted efforts towards making the world a better place.’’
Okorie said the forthcoming conference was aimed at ensuring sustainable job creation, fight crime and corruption as well as sustain peace globally.
He, however, called on world leaders to keep politics aside and collectively fight terrorism, ensure peace and discourage youth violence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IYC is the platform that brings together youth leaders and members of various youth organisations and NGOs across the country.

The council was formed in commemoration of UN’s International Youth Day on Aug. 12.

Pay Attention To Improving Soil Fertility, Don Tells Governments

Dr Nditoi Idem, the Head of Crop Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, has urged governmentto pay more attention to improving soil fertility.

He spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Sunday, saying that encouraging appropriate institutions by governments to improve on soil fertility would increase food production.

He advised that applying both organic and inorganic fertiliser to the soil adequately could enrich it and boost production.

Idem, an agronomist, said that organic fertiliser improved the structure of the soil and also helped in retention of inorganic fertiliser.

“So,we need to pay more attention to improving soil fertility and we need to get up and have a government that thinks about farming,’’ he said.

He said that if the government did not take critical steps to improve agricultural production, the country might not be able to feed its teeming population.

“Previously, we used to have land left for fallow between five to seven years and in some places 10 years.

“But now, a number of areas in Akwa Ibom and other parts of the country, farmers do continuous cropping which makes the soil barren,’’ he noted.

He advised the government to make farming attractive and provide incentives, especially to the youth, to boost food production.

Food Security and the Impoverishing Challenge of Post Harvest Loss

The season which marks the end of a growing period for a particular crop and begins the process of gathering mature crops from the fields is known as the Harvest. The social importance of this event makes it the focus of seasonal celebration such as a harvest festival. However, harvesting is the most labor intensive activity of the growing cycle. It involves cooling, sorting, cleaning, packing, up to the point of processing or shipping to the wholesale or consumer market.

A main challenge for agricultural development and policy is mainly on how to feed the fast growing population with safe food, and increment of food production by 50 – 70 per cent. One complementary factor is often forgotten which is reducing food loss and food wastage.

A World Bank report reveals that, each year, significant volumes of food at estimated value of USD 4 billion for grains, are lost after harvest in sub-Saharan Africa. Post Harvest Loss occurs between harvest and the moment of human consumption, it includes on-farm losses, such as when grain is threshed, winnowed and dried, as well as losses along the chain during transportation.

According to a FAO report significant volumes of grain in developing countries are lost after harvest, aggravating hunger and resulting in expensive inputs-such as fertilizer, irrigation water, and human labor-being wasted. During postharvest operations, there may be losses of both cereal quantity and quality.
Post harvest losses significantly endanger the livelihood of stakeholders and farmers across the value chain by reducing valuable income and profitability.

Studies have shown that reduction of just one percent in post harvest losses can lead a gain of 40 million USD annually as government investment will lead to huge reduction and increase income levels of actors across various agricultural value chain.

According to Ahmed, O.A. (2013), post harvest losses is making Nigerian farmers poorer. For a very long time, Nigerian farmers have lamented the situation without getting meaningful assistance. Roughly one third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, which amounts to about 1.3 billion of tones per year. This inevitably also means that high amount of the resources used in food production are used in vain.

All these are grave concerns for most small holder farmers in most developing countries of the world as managing their post harvest losses will not only improve their livelihood but the food security of their community.

FAO estimated that global demand for food will increase by 60 percent. Experts say the world population by 2050 is expected to reach 9.6 billion. Looking at this challenge to feed this population, the FAO established a global demand for food increase by 60 percent by the year 2050. In order to meet this target, there is need to ensure that food produced is not wasted between the farm and the table, adding that one-third of the food produced globally, go to waste.

Stable food crops are fundamental sources of energy and calories for the world and this is evident in grains, fruits and vegetables with greater levels of loss. According to the United Nations/FAO report on post harvest loss on vegetables and fruits in Africa an average outstanding 49 per cent is recorded, which means that for every two tomatoes produced, for every two bananas produced, for every two mangoes produced, it means on the average, only one of it is available for consumption.

Food is lost along every step along the food production chain, from harvest and handling to storage and processing to packaging as well as transportation. There are farmers who do not have a fast and dependable way to get food to the market owing to inefficient transportation or quality transport vehicle that pose various challenges for moving commodities from farm to market.

However, the Post-harvest Education Foundation highlighted some key factors associated to food losses and the gap in knowledge:

• Poor understanding of harvest indices of plant foods and how maturity is related to quality and shelf life.
• Poor sorting and grading practices during preparation for market, allowing damaged/decaying foods to enter the supply chain and spread decay to other foods.
• Poor temperature management and lack of control of relative humidity, leading to shriveling, wilting and deterioration of perishable foods.
• Poor quality packages which provide little or no protection during handling, transport and storage.
• Delays in marketing without proper storage (cool storage for perishables, drying of staple grains/beans/legumes before storage)
• General lack of education on appropriate post harvest handling practices and technologies, leading to rough handling, mechanical damage, improperly handled mixed loads, and food safety dangers.
• Lack of the utilization of sustainable cost effective post harvest practices, leading to high levels of food losses on the farm, and in retail markets.

Reducing post harvest loss is highly important and it can be achieved by providing access to adequate, safe and affordable food which is one of the great challenges of the society, as today, millions of the world citizens do not have access to adequate food. Numerous studies have shown that the world food system has to create capacity to feed additional 2 billion people over the next 20years.

Meanwhile, there is evidence that one-third of the world current agriculture production does not reach intended final consumer. The concern is that the high level of loss existent, is particularly dominant in Africa.
Studies have shown that, there are two conditions that seem to be consistently present when successful adoption occurs, one of which is incentives, particularly economic incentives. It has to be in the best interest of farmers to use their best resources to adopt the technology, and it has to be in the best interest of economic agents to supply those technologies. The second surrounds information equal system, an equal system that supports a direct buyer and seller of the technology. Conversely, presence of this broader equal information system can reduce post harvest loss.

However, providing a long lasting solution to the challenge of post harvest loss requires stemming up technologies and understanding the complexity of food production systems. In addition to the provided technology, the farmers need education, training and support. There is need for improvements in technology, but that should not be a stumbling block to initiate actions that will benefit small holder farmers and the society, as appropriate technologies exist that farmers can adopt and when they do this, there will be drastic reduction in post harvest loss.

It is important for all to see that post harvest loss is reduced so as to achieve the food security goal of the future. Everyone, whether in the public or private sector, or in civil society, need to appreciate the key role that can be played in fostering and maintaining the vibrant support system that will facilitate decision making and adoption of post harvest loss reducing technology.

Farmers Decry High Transportation Cost As Threat To Livelihood

As Nigeria faces soaring transportation costs due to the fuel crisis, stakeholders especially farmers in the agricultural sector have lamented over the impending threat of poor sales as the crisis intensifies.

This was disclosed by the Chairman, Yam Traders Union, Bwari Central Market, Abuja, Mrs. Amina Haruna, who commented on the adverse effect of the on-going situation on their fortunes.

Haruna particularly cited yam as one of the produce that has witnessed substantial drop in sales due to increased cost of transportation from the farms to the market which had affected the price, as traders had to hike up their prices in order to avoid losses and make some profit.

“Yam is our main food; we cannot continue to meet the growing demand at present within the area due to increased cost of transportation. It takes time to transport yams from the farm to the market and by the time we arrive they would have gone bad, thereby reducing the value in the market” she said.

Although yam is a major agricultural farm produce mostly cultivated by farmers in the area, the difficulty in conveying them to the markets has become a challenge which threatens the livelihood of the farmers as they record loss to spoilage if not transported for preservation or sales from the farms.

“This business is our only means of sustaining livelihood, especially at the home front for the 150 members that make up the Yam Traders Union in this market.” She stated.

Haruna urged the local council authority to assist them through the provision of adequate  vehicles to transport their yams from the farm to promote the growth of the business.

Borno: World Bank Supports Farmers To Drive Food Security and Sustainable Income

The World Bank Insurgency Relief Fund has provided N787million for four farming communities to invest in agricultural activities for sustainable income and food security in Borno State.

Presenting cheques for the amount in Maiduguri, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hajiya Inna Galadima, urged the benefitting communities to make use of the funds for the intended purpose as a guarantee to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

“By so doing, more credibility and assistance from donor agencies would be earned to promote agriculture in the state,” Galadima said.

According to her, the state government was ready for regular payment of counterpart funds for all partnership programmes, adding that the government would look into the issue of over withdrawal of funds meant for Borno state by other benefiting states through the National Fadama Coordination Office last year.

The State Coordinator of the Fadama III project, Alhaji Mohammed Sabo Tijjani, said the Fadama III project was a tripartite project of the World Bank, Federal and State governments to stimulate agricultural growth of poor peasant farmers, disclosing that the state government had received $200,000.00 cash for disbursement under the World Bank Insurgency Relief Fund.

The beneficiaries include Shokwari, Masha-mari, Dusuman and Kirbiri Fadama community associations in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere LGA of Borno state.

FISH HATCHERY: AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF AQUACULTURE

The Nigerian aquaculture sector is growing at a very exponential rate and diversifying in a parallel manner. This welcomed trend still at its primordial stage is faced by numerous bottlenecks which if left unattended, will definitely shorten the lifespan of the success achieved in this economically viable aspect of the agricultural sector.

Of all the hurdles faced by individuals active in this sector, unavailability of viable fingerlings and juveniles has been the major setback. A greater percentage of aquaculture practitioners in the country largely depend on fingerlings and juveniles from the wild as stocking materials for their pond. In a modern and agriculturally competitive world, this practice cannot be sustained due to the fact that most fishes are seasonal breeders and there is always a scarcity of stocking materials also called fish seed when it is not breeding season.

It is necessary to bear in mind that the demand for aquaculture products is always on the rise both globally and locally. Hence, to maintain a constant supply of stocking materials for a fish farm, farmers resort to hatcheries to provide an all year round supply of stocking material.

HATCHERY
A fish hatchery is a special place where fish breeding; egg fertilization, incubation, hatching and rearing through the early stage of life into fingerling is carried out artificially. It is seminal in modern aquaculture as it allows regular supply of pond stocking materials for farmers and it also allows the improvement of the genetic and phenotypic traits of the cultured aquatic organism as desirable traits can be enhanced and undesirable traits checked or controlled through cross breeding.

In general, a hatchery can be situated on an aquaculture farm (incorporating a hatchery with normal fish production) with the sole purpose of providing fingerlings for the farm or it can be carried out in entirety on a farm (focusing solely on fingerling production).

REQUIREMENTS FOR FISH HATCHERY
Irrespective of the method of production – sole hatchery production or incorporated production, a fish hatchery requirement doesn’t change. Some of the major requirements for a fish hatchery include:

• Water: Abundance of water suitable for fish production all year round. The water should be monitored meticulously for negative changes in its chemistry and measures should be taken to counter such changes. The water should have a neutral pH, be well aerated and free from pollutants.
• Availability of feed: Although young fish generally feed on planktons, in a confined environment the supply of plankton may be limited and lead to the malnourishment of the stock. Hence, a farmer should adopt methods that will promote plankton division, proliferation and growth. Alternatively, he should ensure that there is ample supply of feed necessary for the feeding of his young fishes. The feed should be able to provide all the necessary nutrients required by the young fishes in appropriate quantity. Such feed can be purchased from an aquaculture feed store.
• Breeding fish: Breeding materials (breeding fish) should be available. Because of the sexual dimorphism in fish, it is required that farmers should obtain sexually matured male and female fish with favourable traits to serve his hatchery. Breeding materials should have a good history of rapid growth rate.
• Market: If the farmer is not operating the hatchery to feed his fish farm, there should be a ready market to patronize him of his stock.
• Equipment: There should also be hatchery equipment and supplies available. These include pond or tanks, buckets, chemical, containers, nets, aerators, filters, etc. Each of these equipment play a crucial role in the success of a hatchery. For example, a fish pond or tank is filled with water and is used to house the breeding materials and the eggs are placed in containers during spawning. For better observation of fish, a small tank is preferable. It is advised to keep male and female fish in separate tanks.

BASIC HATCHERY METHODS
Fish reproduction both in the wild and in confinement involves egg release, fertilization, incubation, hatching and growth. This process is what the farmer tries to mimic to the best of his ability in a fish hatchery.

Egg release: Egg release in fish can be natural or induced. In most commercial setups, egg release is usually induced by injecting hormones such as Suprefact and Ovaprim which cause the female fish to release eggs every three months. When a female fish is prepared to reproduce, she is filled with eggs and appears larger than normal because of her swollen abdomen. These eggs are released from the abdomen of the fish into its external environment awaiting fertilization by the sperm of the male fish.

In hatcheries, egg releasing is enhanced by the farmer who gently applies pressure to the abdomen of the fish in a downward manner that causes the release of the eggs through their genital opening. The released egg is collected in a container while they await sperm from the male fish.

Fertilization: Sperm is obtained from the male fish by slaughtering them and extracting their testis. The testis is then sliced into two or more quadrants and each placed in a clean, thin cloth material and squeezed to obtain the sperm in a container. The sperm obtained from the male fish is then introduced into the container holding the eggs and mixed to promote better fertilization chance of the eggs. Sperm from one male fish can be used to fertilize eggs from up to thirteen female fishes.

Incubation and Hatching: after fertilization has been carried out, the eggs in the egg holding container is covered with water and aerators placed in them to enhance aeration. This medium is now placed in a conducive environment usually 30°C for incubation to occur. Hatching usually occurs within two to three days in most fishes.

Growth: immediately after hatching, the young fish experiences rapid growth till they attain a certain size before they are removed from the container. Different fishes possess different growth rate depending on various reasons, hence, farmer needs to observe this phase meticulously to prevent the predation of larger fish on smaller ones.

NOTE: before embarking on fish hatchery operations, seek professional help to prevent total failure of the process as young fish handling and management can be very volatile and can lead to loss of resources if not carried out properly.

Food Poisoning: Farmers Call For Training Programme On Chemical Application

Some farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa, have advocated for introduction of modern preservation techniques to check spate of food poisoning.

A cross section of the farmers made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Hadejia on Thursday.

The farmers also called for a training programme to expose them to proper application of chemicals on agricultural produce.

Alhaji Abdulkadir Daudu, a bean grower, said the measure would encourage the use of safer techniques in food preservation.



Daudu said that poor farmer education and absence of such facilities were responsible for high cases of food poisoning.

“The Jigawa State Agricultural Development Progrmme should introduce modern ways of storing beans and other produce.

“It is desirable to encourage the use of improved polythene sack for storage of beans.

”No chemical is needed to store grain in the sack. It is simple and hygienic,” Daudu said.

A tomato grower, Baffa Hashim, said that effective farmer education would encourage proper application of chemicals on plants, check contamination and wastage.

“Tomato plant often wilts due to pest infestation and poor chemical application,” he said.

NAN reports that farmers in Hadejia had commenced planting of crops and expressed optimism of recording bumper harvest despite delay in rainfall.

Some of the produce include; rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, beans, sorghum, millet, tomato and other perishables.

Politicians, Bane Of Growth Enhancement Scheme?

The reforms in the nation’s agricultural sector began with the implementation of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme, a federal government intervention scheme in which farmers access subsidised seeds and fertilisers through their mobile phones. Ruth Tene Natsa writes on the possibility that politicians, among several others, are working to compromise the success of the programme.

A major achievement of the immediate past government has been its renowned success in the nation’s agriculture sector through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).
The ATA, launched in 2012, is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development to support the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda.

It further birthed the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme to provide farmers with subsidised seeds and fertilisers using their GSM phones also known as the E-wallet.

According to the former minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the GES is aimed at tackling the massive corruption practised in the system for over 40 years where less than 11 per cent small holder farmers had access to subsidised seeds and fertilisers procured and distributed by government. While stakeholders have commended the efforts of the government in ensuring that farmers get access to the government subsidised seeds and fertilisers at 50 per cent subsidy – whereby both the federal and state governments pay 25 per cent – it has come to light that staff of the various ministries and politicians are compromising the efforts by interfering in the process.

Also while the scheme has been largely termed a success, it has been severely challenged by late delivery of inputs, poor network in rural areas, omission of names from beneficiary lists and in recent times it is being threatened by politicians, civil servants and business men whose only interests is profit. In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, a farmer, Mrs Mary Audu, lamented that after registering for the process in Kachia local government area of Kaduna State, she had only been able to access the scheme on two occasions as she never gets the alert anymore.

“When the scheme started, I was getting alert and was even able to access some subsidised seeds and fertilisers in 2012. But after that I did not get again. When I learnt that people were collecting, I went back to the centre were I had registered but was unable to get. Interestingly, they found my name on the list but I didn’t get the text message and could not access the fertilisers.What is annoying is that people I know who are not farmers are able to get their inputs even though they are not registered; they are connected and have people who put their names on the list. They buy at the subsidise rates and sell to us at higher rates while we the farmers can barely get those inputs.”

Also speaking with LEADERSHIP, the chief executive officer, Interproducts Link Limited, and national chairman, Agro Dealers, Alhaji Shuaibu Bello, revealed that over five million farmers had benefitted from the scheme in 2014 alone. Rating the scheme a success and giving it a pass mark, he observed that “while government had done all it could to ensure the success of the scheme, it was still challenged by late delivery and some manipulative politicians who send in dealers without proper screening.

“Even though I give the GES a pass mark, there are lapses, especially where alerts are concerned. Also some people want to take the work backwards because some of the dealers were allowed in without proper screening. Now politicians have started planting their own people who want to come in and do things their own way because they feel they have been put there by these politicians trying to compromise the GES and there is little or nothing we can do about it.”

Australia To Partner Obafemi Awolowo University in Agricultural Development

In line with the need to boost food production in the country, the Australian Government has proposed a partnership with the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State for the implementation of mechanized agriculture on its premises.

Disclosing the intention of his government during a courtesy visit to the University Vice Chancellor – Professor Bamitale Omole. the Australian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson stated the decision was made based on the importance of the university to the overall success of the programme.
According to a statement released by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju the 1,240 hectares of teaching and farming land of the university under the programme, will be put to judicious use for mass production of food.

In commendation of the university management, Richardson acknowledged the inclusion of compulsory farm activities for the year four (4) students of the Faculty of Agriculture in the curriculum, thus exposing them to the beauty and gains of farming, as well honing their entrepreneurial skills.

Rice: Stallion Group Targets Over N30 billion in Production Investments

The Stallion Group, a major investor in the Nigerian rice industry in line with its commitment to align with the country’s food security agenda, has intensified efforts in expanding its operations in the country’s fully integrated rice value chain.

The Group according to a press statement, was leveraging on the policy impetus provided by the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda, with a target investment exceeding N30 billion in the rice supply chain.

Speaking on their expanded investment efforts, Chairman of Stallion Group, Sunil Vaswani said “sensing the need for local self-sufficiency and alignment with Nigerian government’s ambitions for food security, Stallion is working to improve farm yields and bring in sustainable and scalable growth to farmers.”

The Chairman disclosed an increase in local production of upto 430,000 MT per annum, with a target for local rice production at 1.5 million tonnes through the establishment of more milling capacities and structured farming activities.

Furthermore, the Group has established fully integrated rice mills at strategic locations, to promote milling and paddy cultivation in selected areas.

Stakeholders Task Presidency On Increased Mechanization Funding

In a bid to drive increased development of the sector and well being of the local players, the National President of the Agriculture and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), Comrade Simon Anchaver, has called on the Buhari administration to focus more on mechanized farming by improving on the funding of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM).

He stated this in Ilorin during the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Trade Group forum and courtesy visit to the centre headed by Engr. Ikechukwu Azogu, the Executive Director.

Anchaver commented on the need to increase the funding of Nigeria’s foremost mechanization institution, considering the agricultural sector’s strategic role in the 21st century agro-driven economy. 

“The leadership at NCAM needs more encouragement and proper funding by the federal government to enable it record more successes and be able to help in repositioning the country’s status on the food production index table among the committee of Nations.

“Oil prices instability and economic meltdown being experienced intermittently by even First World Nations is forcing global leaders to prioritize agriculture and our own President Muhammadu Buhari cannot afford to miss out on this juicy opportunity to revive agriculture so that it can be the new driver of our growing economy,” he said.

Furthermore, he urged for the revival of all the 37 Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) and also join hands with the state governors to adequately provide the requirements of the ADPs.

Describing ADPs as the engine room for the attainment of food security in Nigeria, the National Chairman of ADP Trade Group Forum, Comrade Jibril Abdul Nggada, stated however that the ADPs were confronted with a lot of challenges which hinder their effectiveness. The problems, he said, include poor counterpart funding and shortage of field staff.

Food Production: Indian Ambassador Urges Nigeria To Adopt Integrated Farming, Drip Irrigation

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Ajjampur Ghanashyam has urged Nigeria to introduce Integrated Farming and Drip Irrigation to boost food production in the country.

Ghanashyam gave the advice at a Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that drip irrigation, currently being practiced in India, would help to improve dry season farming in Nigeria, especially in the Northern parts of the country.

He said that the introduction of drip irrigation and integrated farming would encourage export.

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“Agriculture is one area in which there is tremendous potential. India has 1.5 million square kilometers of land which is arable.

“We grow sometimes three crops from the same piece of land because of desperation and when there is an emerging need, you have to innovate. That is what happened to us.

“Today, in some northern states, we are doing drip irrigation because water is a problem in those states.

“Drip irrigation is one subject which we have developed in India and now it has become very popular. Exactly what is required in Northern Nigeria.

“We are now developing a concept called integrated farming. Integrated farming means the farmer has his field, but takes out a part of his land to grow vegetables and fruits and takes out a little bit more area around his house to have a goat farm, poultry farm and have a bee keeping corner.

“So when the crop fails, he has vegetables he can sell, he has fruits and he has poultry, eggs and chicken which he can sell, he does not become desperate and think of the wrong thing.

“Nigeria with its available land can feed itself, feed the rest of Africa and still have surplus to export to China and India.

“That is the quality of your soil. You have the capacity and competence to do it. It is just that someone has to get up and start saying, yes, now is the time to start.“

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Ghanashyam said that integrated agriculture had the capacity to improve the living standard of Nigerians if properly deployed.

He added that the farming method serve as an alternative to oil.

The high commissioner said that India was currently working closely with some Northern states in Nigeria to promote drip irrigation, but observed that the availability of water was a challenge.

According to him, Africa owns 60 per cent of the arable land in the world and 20 per cent of the land mass of the world.

He said that Nigeria had one-quarter of the wealth in Africa and 20 per cent of Africa’s population.

Ghanashyam said that the volume of trade between India and Nigeria stood at 17 billion dollars between 2014 and 2015 and had remained so in spite of the fall in the prices of oil.

He appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to sign a Turn Around Maintenance agreement with the National Oil Company of India as part of efforts at increasing oil production in Nigeria.

He called for the incorporation of the policies of the Federal and state governments to suit foreign businesses in Nigeria.

“Most times, Federal and state government policies do not support, complement or supplement each other and this is affecting foreign businesses in Nigeria,“ he said.

Late Rainfall, Fasting, Push Up Prices Of Potatoes, Tomatoes In Plateau

The late arrival of the rains and the ongoing fasting period pushed up the prices of Irish potatoes and tomatoes by about 200 per cent in Plateau, a market survey revealed.

The survey, conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend in Bokkos, found that a bag of Irish potatoes that sold for between N5,000 and N6,000 not long ago, was now being sold at between N16,000 and N17,000.

Similarly, a basket of tomatoes that used to sale for between 1,500 and N2,000 was now sold at between N4,500 and N5, 000 in Bokkos markets.

Mr Samuel Mallo, the Chairman of Traders and Marketers Association, Mai-katako market chapter, in Bokkos Local Government, blamed the hike on the late arrival of the rains this year.

He said “the late arrival of rainfall this year has greatly contributed to the hike in prices of Irish potatoes and tomatoes in both Bokkos and Mangu local government areas.

“All the potatoes you see being sold in Mai-katako market today are irrigated ones and not the seasonal ones, which resulted in massive shortage and hike in its price,’’ he explained.

According to Mallo, under normal circumstances, the seasonal varieties should be in the markets and at a cheaper rate at this time of the year.

Also, Malam Nuhu Usman, a potatoes dealer from Kano State, lamented the hike in the price of the commodity, which he said had affected his purchasing power.

He said “I used to buy between 150 and 200 bags at times like this, but I am not sure I can afford 35 bags of Irish potatoes today.’’

Usman expressed fear that the high prices could affect his sales in Kano, but prayed that buyers would understand and buy it.

Another dealer from Katsina, Mr Akilu Sani, also said he could only buy 15 bags of potatoes out of the 30 bags he used to buy at the Maikatako and Bokkos markets.

Sani, however, said it was not the fault of the farmers as the late arrival of the rains had ensured the total absence of the seasonal farming produce.

NAN reports that Bokkos and Mangu local government areas were prominent for Irish potatoes farming, with the commodity produced in large quantities and attract buyers from all parts of the country.

The markets also attract foreign buyers from Chad, Niger and Benin Republic.