Farmers Call For More Support

farmers

Owing to the Federal Government’s desire to diversify the economy, farmers in Abuja have called for more allocation of lands to enable massive production of food.

‘RICE CULTIVATION SHOULD BE SEEN AS A BUSINESS’ – OSINAME

Dr. Olumuyiwa Osiname

Dr. Olumuyiwa Osiname served as Team Leader for Rice Transformation under Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, while the latter was the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria.

In this interview with AgroNigeria, he shares from his wealth of experience and discusses the challenges facing rice cultivation in Nigeria, and also feasible solutions.

‘Ban On Imported Poultry Will Boost Local Industry’ -GM, Arewa Enterprise Ltd

Salihu Jibrin Salihu

Salihu Jibrin Salihu, General Manager of Arewa Enterprise Ltd., spoke on poultry farming,prospects as well as challenges in the business and the need for the government to take agriculture to its rightful place.

Rice exporters brace for fluctuations amid oil volatility, climate change

Rice

WITH UNPREDICTABLE oil prices and climate change, Thai rice exporters foresee fluctuations in their business this year, expecting export volume to decrease slightly to 9 million tonnes worth US$4.3 billion (Bt154 billion).

‘We can harness ecological agriculture potentials and save Africa’ – Fatunbi

Fatunbi

Interview with Dr. Oluwole Fatunbi, (Programme Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa Challenge Programme; Forum for Agricultural Research (FARA),) speaks on relationships with the government, organizations across Africa, efficacy of ecological agriculture, FARA strategic support and challenges faced. 

Why Nigeria continues to have bird flu outbreaks – Veterinary Association

Dr Edgar Amos Sunday

Dr Edgar Amos Sunday is the National President of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, which is the professional association of all veterinary doctors in the country. In this interview, he said fighting diseases such as bird flu is difficult. Excerpts:

FG Seeks State Governments’ Support To Improve Agricultural Production

farmers

The federal government has called on state governments to support its efforts in improving agricultural production in the country.

Consume Natural Products -Nutritionist

Consume Natural Products

Nigerians have been urged to consume more of natural products, as it reduces the risk of cancer.

Rural Farmers In FCT Beg FG For Land Allocation

farmers

Rural farmers in the federal capital territory (FCT) have begged the federal government for land allocations to enable them embark on massive production of food.

FMARD Partners Surveyor General In Grass Growing Programme

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The federal ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in its efforts to resolve the incessant crises between farmers and cattle rearers has resolved to collaborate with the Surveyor-General’s office in mapping out areas for its proposed Grass growing programme.

Women can compete with big agric businesses

Inyang Archibong

Inyang Archibong, the I’TRIX Managing Director, speaks to our reporters on how the Nigerian business environment has been friendly to women in recent time.

Cattle Breeders take measures to contain cattle rustling

Cattle Breeders

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said it will introduce weight bill for transporters carrying cattle, as a major way of checking cattle theft, reports the Guardian.

Climate Smart Agriculture: Nigeria on Hot Seat

Climate Smart Agriculture

–  FG May Introduce Carbon Emission Tax… 

Thailand Approves $42 Million In Loans To Help Rubber Farmers

Rubber Farmers

Thailand’s cabinet on Tuesday approved 1.5 billion baht (42 million dollars) in soft loans for rubber production and processing to boost rubber use and support farmers hit by falling prices.

Popular pesticide may hurt bees, EPA warns

U.S. beekeepers reported losing 42 percent of their colonies in 2014. (Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture)

 Two decades after approving imidacloprid, the agency is re-examining how this and other 'neonicotinoid' pesticides affect beneficial insects.

The Colossal Hoax Of Organic Agriculture

A label stating ‘Produce of USA’ is wrapped around a bunch of organic carrots at a farmers market

Consumers of organic foods are getting both more and less than they bargained for. On both counts, it’s not good.

Imo mounts bird flu, Lassa fever surveillance

birds

The Imo State government has mounted increased surveillance across its borders, in a bid to guard against bird flu and Lassa fever disease spreading into its 27 local government areas, the Guardian reports.

TADAN Harvests 2016 First Tilapia Fishes

Tilapia Aquaculture Developers

Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria has harvested the first set of tilapia fishes at a ground-breaking ceremony in Iseyin, Oyo State, last Saturday.

Fulani herders kill 20 in Nigeria in grazing rights spat: police

Disputes over grazing rights have led to tensions between herdsmen and farmers

Gunmen believed to be ethnic Fulani herders have killed a policeman and 19 civilians and torched homes in Nigeria's northeastern Adamawa state in a spat over grazing rights, the police said.

Unilever : Unemployment - Saraki Urges Unilever to Increase Investment in Nigeria

Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Thursday urged the Unilever Group to increase their investment in Nigeria with the aim of providing more employment opportunities in the country.

TILAPIA ASSOCIATION SET FOR 1st HARVEST OF 2016, Unveils Tilapia in Cages

Tilapia

The Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria (TADAN), has announced its readiness for the first harvest of the year. With barely three weeks into the New Year, TADAN has declared that the first set of tilapia fishes are set for the market.

Ondo State Government has revamped two of its moribund industries- Ifon Ceramic Industry now Golden Ceramic of Ifon and Araromi Ayesan Oil Palm.

Ondo State Government

In its resolve to provide employment for the youths in the state, the Ondo State Government has revamped two of its moribund industries. They are Ifon Ceramic Industry now Golden Ceramic of Ifon and Araromi Ayesan Oil Palm.

Cross River Govt to create 20,000 Agric Jobs

Prof. Anthony Eneji

The Cross River State Government has pledged to create more than 20,000 jobs through agriculture this year. The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Anthony Eneji revealed.

Poultry Farmers Lose N140m To Bird Flu Within A Week In Enugu – Official

Bird Flu

Enugu State poultry farmers have lost about N140 million to the bird flu resurgence within a week, says an official of the state Ministry of Agriculture.

Livestock: FG To Embark On Commercial Production Of Grass – Audu Ogbeh

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has said that agribusiness in the livestock sector will be improved and expanded to include commercial production of grass for feeding cattle.

There Won’t Be Food Scarcity In 2016 – AFAN

Kabir Ibrahim

The president of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Kabir Ibrahim, in this interview with  Ruth Tene Natsa, assures that Nigeria will not experience food scarcity in 2016, but rather is on its way to self-sufficiency in food production.

Dangote, Bill Gates commit $100m to malnutrition in Nigeria

malnutrition

Dangote Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation yesterday announced a combined commitment of $100 million to help Nigeria tackle the problems of malnutrition.

Kogi Govt. Gets N150m Agric. Devt. Programme – FADAMA Official

farmers

The World Bank-assisted Fadama III Additional Financing project said it has designed a N150 million agricultural development programme for Kogi under FADAMA III programme.

World Bank To Assist Oil Palm Processors In Edo – FADAMA Coordinator

Oil Palm farm

The Growth Employment (GEM) Project, a World Bank assisted project, has promised to give grant to oil palm processors in Edo to boost production of quality palm.

Establishment Of Sugar Factories Will Enhance Devt In Jigawa – Farmers

sugarcane

Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, a large scale farmer in Hadejia, Jigawa, on Sunday said the establishment of sugar factories in the state would provide job opportunities and enhance speedy development of the state.

AFAN Tasks FG On Agricultural Transformation

farmers

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Jigawa on Sunday urged the Federal Government to speed up action in transforming the agricultural sector.

Wheat Farmers Cultivate 3,000 Hectares Of Irrigable Land In Kano

Alhaji Faruk Rabiu,

No fewer than 3,000 hectares of irrigable land is being cultivated by farmers in Kano state under the current dry season farming.

Smuggling: Customs impound Fedex poultry truck

Customs officers

The Nigeria Customs Service has impounded a Fedex Courier Express truck for allegedly conveying 100 cartons of smuggled frozen turkey.

One crop, two ways, multiple benefits

Right, faba bean was cut for 'green manure' just after the flowering stage. The remaining plants cover the soil, add nitrogen and other nutrients, and improve soil conditions. The plants on the left were allowed to grow to the dry bean stage, then harvested.

Nitrogen fixation is one of the best examples of cooperation in nature. Soil microbes  naturally occurring bacteria in the soil work with plants to pull nitrogen from the air. They turn the nitrogen into a form the plant is able to use. In return, the plant lets the microbes eat some of the sugars it makes.

In Sikkim, PM Narendra Modi bats for organic farming, names two orchid varieties

PM Modi unveiled three new varieties of Orchid developed in Sikkim.

Citing the successful example of Sikkim, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday batted for expansion of organic farming across the country as part of efforts to transform the agriculture sector entailing better remuneration for the farmers.

Oyo State Fish Farmers Receive 150,000 Fingerlings

Fingerlings

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the University of Ibadan (UI), has distributed 150,000 catfish fingerlings to fish farmers in Oyo State.

Climate Change: Buhari urges global cooperation

Climate Change

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for greater global cooperation against the devastating effects of climate change, reiterating Nigeria’s readiness to partner with global players to combat the scourge, the Daily Times reports.

Soil frost affects greenhouse gas emissions in the Arctic

Marina Becher, doctoral student at Umeå University.

Soil frost is a nearly universal process in the Arctic. In a recent dissertation by doctoral student Marina Becher at Umeå University, it is shown that the frequency and extent of soil frost is important for the release of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from arctic soil.

Manure applications elevate nitrogen accumulation and loss

Researchers in China studied the co-application of manures and chemical nitrogen fertilizers in high-input greenhouses. They said the environmental risks may outweigh the benefits.

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and nitrogen fertilization  including the application of manures  is a major management strategy in agriculture across the globe. 

EU Commits $20m Euro To Great Green Wall Programme

European Union

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), has said that European Union has committed the sum of 20m euro to the implementation of the Great Green Wall programme in Nigeria and five other African countries.

Cattle Fever Ticks Vaccine Developed

cow grazing

A new vaccine that could control and help prevent a re-infestation of cattle fever ticks had been developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Cross River Govt To Create 20,000 Jobs Through Agriculture

Prof. Anthony Eneji

The Cross River Government says it will create more than 20,000 jobs through agriculture this year.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Anthony Eneji, made this known on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.

Can Dangote beat imported tomato pastes in Nigeria’s market?

Dangote

According to media reports on Sunday, the much-anticipated Dangote Tomato Paste plant located in Kano, northern Nigeria, is now ready for operation. The plant, worth $20 million, is expected to produce about 430,000 tonnes of paste, which is a significant ingredient in most local Nigerian dishes such as jollof rice, stew and soups.

Civilizations rise and fall on the quality of their soil

Great civilization have fallen because they failed to prevent the degradation of the soils on which they were founded. The modern world could suffer the same fate.

 Great civilization have fallen because they failed to prevent the degradation of the soils on which they were founded. The modern world could suffer the same fate.

US Scientist Develops Biodegradable Antimicrobial Wash to Reduce Health Risks in Fresh Produce

fruits

An Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, and his collaborators have developed an antimicrobial wash that reduces the risk of foodborne pathogens contaminating fresh produce.

El-Rufai Launches Free School Feeding in Kaduna

Free School Feeding in Kaduna

Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has launched the Free School Feeding Programme in the state.

14 Million Face Hunger in Southern Africa – UN

Southerrn Africa

Southern Africa is in the middle of a drought that has been exacerbated by an El Nino weather pattern, causing about 14 million people to go hungry, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Monday.

FACAN insists on more support for agriculture, says it an bring 300,000 dollar monthly

FACAN Atakeholders

The National President, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) Dr. Victor Iyama has insisted that more political support priority must be given to Agriculture by the Nigeria Government in her pursuit of economic repositioning from crude oil to multi facets economy as the sector could earn three hundred thousand dollars to the country every month.

FG appoints new Acting MD of NAIC

Mr. Bashir, Haliru Binji

The Federal government of Nigeria has appointed Mr. Bashir, Haliru Binji as the new acting Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) with effective from January, 2016 after the voluntarily resignation of Mr. Bode Opadokun .

Food Imports Push Inflation To 9.6%- Statistics Bureau

food import

Imported food items within the food & non alcoholic beverages divisions; alcoholic beverage, tobacco and kola has increased the country’s inflation rate to 9.6 per cent for a second month running.