Pages

Thursday, 31 March 2016

Commission hopes new CAP grants will boost number of young farmers

A young farmer with his cows in a meadow
The new Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2014-2020 is expected to provide nearly 180,000 young farmers with an installation grant, an EU spokesman has told EurActiv.

Rice Production: Dangote Group adopts Brazilian Model


Dangote
Dangote
President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has opted for the Brazilian model in rice production through the hiring of Brazilian expert, Vanguard reports.

Kebbi State Governor blasts Commercial banks on agric financing




Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
 The Governor of Kebbi state, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has decried the attitude of the commercial banks towards financing of agricultural activities as ignorance to the reality of the sector on the part of the financial Institutions.

Dangote tomato company commences production in Kano


picture dang
Dangote Tomato Processing Factory in Kadawa, Kano State
The newly-established Dangote Tomato Processing Factory in Kadawa, Kano State has begun a test run of its facility.According to reports,the factory has the capacity to process 120 tonnes of fresh tomatoes per day at full capacity, an official has said.

World Water Day: will the next big conflicts in Africa be on water usage? Strong focus on water at African Utility Week in May,2016

water
water
“The next big conflicts in Africa will be on water usage” was the chilling prediction made earlier this year by the recently departed Dr Lawrence Musaba of the Southern African Power Pool and last year’s recipient of the African Utility Week Lifetime Achievement Award.

NCGA National Corn Growers Association : -Nigerian Relationship Fosters Corn and Ethanol Markets, Biotech Acceptance Abroad

Image result for image of corn
Corn
The National Corn Growers Association welcomed Edwin Uche, director of the Nigerian Corn Growers Association, yesterday for a series of meetings designed to further understand NCGA's structure and benefit to U.S. corn farmers.

Wednesday, 30 March 2016

World Food System Summer School 2016 –Applications Now Open!

Apply now for World Food System Center's two-week immersive summer program.
ETH Zurich World Food System Center is now accepting applications for its 2016 “Organic Agriculture and Food Systems” summer program.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN NIGERIA: Active Project or Talk-Show?


uyo pix
Professor Kingsley Akpabio-
The Vice-Chancellor in collaboration with Shell Professorial Chair in Biodiversity and Climate Change, University of Uyo recently organized a 1 Day Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation and Challenges of Climate Change in the University of Uyo.

Water: Agric’s Friendly Tool


Water
Water
Loathe him. Accuse him. Fault his style.
However, one thing you can’t take away from him is his brusqueness. He cares less if any ox is gored while driving home truths to any quarter-be it the authorities, foes or friends.

Why Farming Was Successful 60 years ago- Buhari


Buhari NEC Retreat 22jpg
Why Farming Was Successful 60 years ago- Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that farmers’ access to small scale credits, inputs and extension services contributed to their success sixty years ago.

Trade distortion affects our crops yield says Kebbi state Governor



Sen. Abukarka Bagudu

The Kebbi State Governnor, Sen. Abukarka Bagudu has said that the low crops yield in the country was intentionally created by other competing countries so as to increase the cost of productions thereby making our produce not competitive in the global markets of rice and wheat.

Oni of Ife encourages on local consumption to create employment

His royal Highness, Ooni of Ife Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi
His royal Highness, Ooni of Ife Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi has emphasized on the need for Nigerians leaders to give local government a priority as a way of addressing youth employment and empowerment.

Nigeria To Announce Policy On Imported Food Items

Audu Ogbeh Agric Minister economy on Imported food
Chief Audu Ogbe,

The Nigerian government is set to decide on ban of food items which put the health of citizens at risk and discourage local production and sufficiency.

Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Cassava ethanol to replace petrol as fuel


cass
Cassava
Cassava Growers in Cross River State are in talks with relevant stakeholders to find ways of using ethanol extracted from cassava as an alternative to petrol.

Revolutionizing the Meat Industry: An Interview with American Ostrich Farms

Food Tank interviews Alexander McCoy, the Found and Chief Executive Officer of American Ostrich Farm
Located on a 120-acre farm in Boise, Idaho, American Ostrich Farms (AOF) is working to provide an unexpected source of protein to American consumers. Ostrich meat is both high in protein and iron and low in fat and cholesterol. Food Tank had the opportunity to speak with Alexander McCoy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AOF.

Customs re-imposes restriction on rice importation.


alli
Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd)
Nigeria Customs Service has re-introduced the restriction order on importation of rice through land borders across the country,The Nation Reports.

Rodrigo Castellanos on Addressing Food Waste and Soil Degradation

Every year, 1.3 billion tons of food waste go to landfills around the world.
Each year, 1.3 billion tons of food waste go to landfills around the world, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) “Loss and Waste Facts Report,” while 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost through misuse. These two challenges, food waste and soil degradation, are compounded when the world is on a clear trajectory to reach 10 billion people, most expected to be living in cities.

NiMet predicts cloudy, dust haze weather conditions for Tuesday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet)
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted partly cloudy weather conditions over the central states of Abuja, Lokoja, Makurdi and Lafia on Tuesday morning.

‘Virtually everything is being adulterated in Nigeria’-Poultry nutritionist

Prof_Ogundipe[1]
Professor S. O. Ogundipe
Professor S. O. Ogundipe is a poultry nutritionist. He holds a Master’s Degree in poultry Science and Ph.D in Poultry nutrition and management. He worked at the Ahmadu Bello University from 1970 till his retirement in 2006. Currently, he serves on contract as a lecturer with the Department of Animal Science. He also owns an agricultural company called Rebson. He speaks with AgroNigeria on his company’s foray in feed mill operation, challenges of the industry and possible solutions. Excerpts:

Monday, 28 March 2016

Farmer Friday: Gayle Thorpe of Thorpe’s Organic Family Farm

Thorpe’s Organic Family Farm rests on 2,300 acres of certified organic land in East Aurora, New York and supports a CSA serving more than 350 members.
Gayle Thorpe owns and manages Thorpe’s Organic Family Farm with her husband, Mike, their six children, and their grandchildren. The farm rests on 2,300 acres of certified organic land in East Aurora, New York and supports a CSA serving more than 350 members. The CSA is in its 14th year, and there are summer and winter programs with both packages that fit large and small families.

Food shortages: Don't panic, Mutharika tells Malawians

President Peter Mutharika
President Peter Mutharika has called on Malawians to "not panic" over food shortages, claiming that there is "more than enough maize" available in the country's depots, local newspaper Nyasa Times reported.

Home News POLITICS BUSINESS SPORT LIFE BLOGS VOICES Advertise with us Business Intelligence Law Reports Home » Features » Meat Scarce, Herders Out Of Job As Army Shuts Cattle Trade In Maiduguri Meat Scarce, Herders Out Of Job As Army Shuts Cattle Trade In Maiduguri

cattle trade

The Federal Government push to strangle the Boko Haram insurgency has shut down the cattle trade that sustained the city of Maiduguri, leaving many residents with no livelihood, including many of the two million people displaced by the war, reports Reuters.

Olam bets on Africa reward as on-the-go food demand to climb

Food Inflation (22) (Large)
Olam International
Olam International, one of the world’s largest food traders, is hunting for more investments in Africa as it looks to benefit from the continent’s increasing appetite for everything from instant noodles to lollipops.

What does “agriculture” mean today? Assessing old questions with new evidence.

agriculture
One of global society’s foremost structural changes underway is its rapid aggregate shift from farm based to city-based economies. More than half of humanity now lives in urban areas, and more than two-thirds of the world’s economies have a majority of their population living in urban settings.

Sunday, 27 March 2016

Africa Can Learn From India in Quest to Support Farmers

Indian Patriot
African governments can learn from the Indian experience of starting farmer credit cards that have so far enabled over 90 million small scale farmers to access to loans.

Agric Academy Launched in Kwara

COMRADE DAVID
L – R: Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Agric Academy, Kwara State, Comrade David Kayode Ehindero; Oba of Basanyin, HRH Oba Abdul-Lateef Ajidupe, Perm Sec, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Kwara State, Hon. Adefila Olaitan, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Bamidele Adegoke, Chief Speaker of the occasion, Dr (Mrs) Adedayo Vide, Deputy Director, Engineering, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization Ilorin, Engr. (Dr) Isaac Ozumba, Rep., MD Lower Niger River Basin Dev. Authority, Engr. Bello Abdukareem and Rep, Minister of Water Resources, Engr. (Mrs) Esther Oluniyi at the conference.

In order to solve Nigeria’s agricultural challenges, an academy has been launched in Kwara State. This Academy which was launched today is the brainchild of Agric House Ilorin, under the auspices of the Agriculture and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), Kwara State Chapter during the Conference of Agricultural Practitioners and Stakeholders (CAPAS).

Nigerian Agric is a $40 billion/annum business-Experts

CONTAINER
export
Stakeholders in the non-oil export sector have reiterated the potentials for agricultural exports to attract billions of dollars into the Nigerian economy, with some claiming it can bring in as much as $40 billion annually.

‘It is time for West Africa to stop cattle roaming’

Ogbeh
Chief Audu Ogbeh
A strong call has been made for West African countries to stop the constant cattle roaming across the region. This call was made by Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,Chief Audu Ogbeh in Abuja.

We can’t continue the importation of food items – Pres. Buhari

pmb
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressly noted the current administration’s plan to discontinue with food importation.

Saturday, 26 March 2016

NGO solicits govt’s support for women in Agriculture

Image result for image of women farmers
farmer
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Building the Nation Initiative, based in Asaba, has urged government at all levels to support women in agriculture to boost food production in the country.

Kenyan Farmers to Benefit From Innovative Insurance Program

 UHURU MUIGAI KENYATTA
The Government of Kenya today launched the Kenya National Agricultural Insurance Program, which is designed to address the challenges that agricultural producers face when there are large production shocks, such as droughts and floods.

Mile 12 Market Re-opened, LASG reels out Riot Act

mile 12
The popular Mile 12 Market in Lagos State
The popular Mile 12 Market in Lagos State, where a clash between Hausas and Yorubas left no fewer than 5 people dead two weeks ago, has been re-opened by the Lagos State Government.

Group to Build N7bn Poultry Farm in Nigeria

birds
Chicken
Multi-Net Group, Nigeria has hinted its plan to build in Nigeria a ‘world-class’ poultry farm at a cost of N7bn.

Italy: Food security worsens in Southern Africa

FAO
The FAO report released on Wednesday says 34 countries, 27 of them in Africa, are currently in need of external assistance for food due to drought, flooding and civil conflicts.

Friday, 25 March 2016

GHANA- Why OIL PALM?


The OIL PALM
The oil palm tree is a tropical perennial crop with excellent benefits. Per hectare, it is the most productive oil crop in the world, being 10 times more productive than soybean and other oil bearing seeds.

Cassava farmers in Cross River partner stakeholders on ethanol production

Cassava
The Cross River chapter of the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association says it is collaborating with some stakeholders to produce ethanol from cassava to be used as an alternative to petrol.

South Africa: North West Agricultural Development Honours Agricultural Advisors

president-jacob-zuma
North West Department for Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development honours agricultural advisors. The Department for Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development has honoured agricultural advisors for the hard and commitment.

Farmer wants govts to provide silos for storage of farm produce

Standard Agro Farms
Mr Taiwo Falana, Director, Standard Agro Farms, on Monday called on the three tiers of government to provide more silos where farmers could store their produce after harvesting.

Herders suffer as Nigeria army shuts cattle trade to fight Boko Haram

Herders
A Nigerian government push to strangle the Boko Haram insurgency has shut down the cattle trade that sustained the city of Maiduguri, leaving many residents with no livelihood, including many of the two million people displaced by the war.

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Kenyan Researchers Step Up Trials for Genetically Altered Crops in Bid to Fight Hunger

genetically modified maize
National field trials for genetically modified maize (BT maize) have reignited interest in the bid by government and private companies to use science to produce more food cheaply.

Agatu Killings: Miyetti Allah Demands Cattle Routes, Grazing Reserves Law

law
The National Assembly
The National Assembly has been called upon to urgently make laws that will address issues of grazing reserves and cattle routes nationwide.

Gambia: National Assembly Select Committee Embarks On Agric Tour

Agric Tour
The National Assembly Select Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and NGO Affairs on Wednesday 9th March commenced a nationwide tour to assess and gather firsthand information on Vision 2016 farms, horticulture and aquaculture centres, agriculture projects, activities and programmes.

Cocoa Farmers in Cross River Lament Low Price, Export Opportunities

CAN
Cross River State cocoa farmers have decried poor pricing, lack of herbicides, processing plant, challenges with export and funding as their major challenges in the cocoa business.

ECOWAS countries urged on implementation of RCoE action plan

ecowas
ECOWAS

As ECOWAS decision makers and head of national institutions of the National Centres of Specialization (NCoS) of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) converged in Abuja to deliberate on a regional action plan for the transformation of the NCoS into Regional Centres of Excellence, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Shehu Ahmed, has charged delegates from member countries to match their words with actions; saying gone are the days when Africa countries will attend workshops like this only to fail in implementing its outcome.

Wednesday, 23 March 2016

Romania wants to boost consumer confidence in organics

Orange
The Bucharest government wants to give organic farming a boost and  at the same time  increase consumers’ confidence in the sector.

Oxfam: Land disputes escalating poverty and conflicts

Five billion hectares of common land around the world lacks legal protection.
Failure to protect land rights could lead to worldwide conflict, poverty and human rights violations, a report by Oxfam has warned. EurActiv Germany reports.

Made in Nigeria: Dangote’s tomato paste factory kicks off operations in Kano

Dangote tomato paste factory
The highly anticipated Dangote tomato paste factory, located in Kano, northern Nigeria, has commenced operations in an attempt to curb the import of tomato pastes into the Nigerian market.

SON Holds Export Certification Seminar In Benue

SON in Benue
food and agro-allied products
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has convened a food and agro-allied products sensitisation workshop for Benue State farmers and small scale business on global best practices.

DANGOTE TOMATO FACTORY OPENS IN KADAWA, KANO STATE

DANG
DANGOTE TOMATO FACTORY OPENS IN KADAWA, KANO STATE
Dangote Farms Limited has officially opened its tomato factory at Kadawa in Kano State. The factory located along the expressway into Kano City  has a 1200Mt daily capacity of fresh tomatoes  conversion into 200Mt of paste.

Improving Rural Livelihoods Boosts Agrarian Economies

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)
For two decades, Dickson Kamau only grew maize on his 0.5 hectare (ha) of land earning himself the nickname Kamau wa mbembe or Kamau who owns maize in his native Kikuyu language.