‘Only Agriculture Can Save Nigeria’s Economy

Wheat farm

The Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Emeka Enuwa has noted that agriculture remains the only vital tool through which the country’s economy can survive the current depletion of the foreign exchange rates.

Kebbi Allocates 10,000 Hectares For Rice Production

The governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu

The governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has approved the allocation of 10,000 hectares of land to the management of AITEO Energy Resources Company for the take-off of rice production in the state.

GFCC: Meeting The ‘2050 Global Challenge’

GFCC

In a bid to meet the 2050 global challenge of feeding 9 billion people, the 5^th Global Feed & Food Congress (GFCC) has kick started in Antalya, Turkey.

Ten Questions with Ray Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America

agriculture field

The two-day event will feature more than 75 different speakers from the food and agriculture field. Researchers, farmers, chefs, policymakers, government officials, and students will come together for panels on topics including food waste, urban agriculture, family farmers, farm workers, and more. 

Watermelon farming is a money maker in agriculture. Ask 28 year old Kenyan farmer, Annie Nyaga

 28 year old Kenyan farmer, Annie Nyaga

A number of factors contribute towards turning an individual into an entrepreneur; passion, unemployment, underemployment, or the urge to make additional cash.

Ishaku Vows To Make Farming More Attractive

Dr David Ishaya

The Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, has promised that his administration would do its best to make farming more attractive in the state.

‘Free School Meals Must Come From Our Farms’

Pupils

The Federal Government has been urged to ensure that the supply of food for the proposed free school meals must be from Nigerian farms.

Mixed Reactions Trail Government’s Ranching Policy

Cow

The conflict between Herdsmen and farmers calls for urgent measures to curb the hostilities and find a lasting solution to the violence. The call by the federal government to establish ranches  as against creating grazing routes has been applauded, but new worries have stemmed from perceived implication of the policy. Ruth Tene Natsa writes

FG Says Farmers' Access to High Quality Farm Inputs Will Boost Productivity

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has stressed the need for farmers to have access to high quality inputs at all times, if Nigeria must increase its agricultural productivity.

Harlem Grown Helping to Empower Youth

Children in Harlem can learn about food justice and sustainability through hands-on educational programs in Harlem Grown's urban gardens.

Harlem Grown is an independent, nonprofit organization based in Harlem, in New York City. It was founded in 2011 by Tony Hillery, a former limousine driver who was inspired to improve access to nutritious food after volunteering at an elementary school in Central Harlem.

On Earth Day, FAO Director-General Stresses Need to Protect Ecosystems

 
UN agency launches new mountain facility to tackle hunger in highland areas

Farmers In Anambra Get Value Chain Development Training

Anambra farmer

Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture has begun the training of over 100 farmers from the three senatorial zones of the state on the benefits of Agricultural Value Chain Development in the area of rice production.

The National Grazing Bill

Senate

A national Grazing Bill which the leadership of Senate has said is not with it continues to generate heated debate. And for good reason. This bill should be questioned because of its ethno-religious implications. It is important that we know this bill, even if in a general way, so as to make useful discourse of it.

Tanzania to Export Cassava to China

Cassava

Tanzania set to export 2.0 million tonnes of cassava to China, the Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment told the ongoing parliament session.

Stakeholders Agree On Wheat Price Ahead Of Harvest Season

Wheat farm

In an effort to step up wheat production in Nigeria, stakeholders in  the wheat value chain have discussed and agreed on the price farmers would get for their wheat as the harvesting of 2015/2016 wheat season comes to a close.

The International Year of Pulses and Tropical Agriculture

Manuele Tamò, Insect Ecologist at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture's Insect Ecologist

Manuele Tamò is an insect ecologist working at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Benin. He obtained his MSc and PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Institute of Plant Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland and joined IITA in 1987.

Nigeria Approaches Netherlands For Bumper Food Production

Nigerian Government

The Head of the Netherlands Representation in Lagos, Mr Michel Deelen, on Monday said that the Nigerian Government had approached his home government for assistance in boosting its food production.

Agriculture Sector: Nigerians, Investors Await Year Of Dividend

Chief Audu Ogbeh

To see an image of what a sector looks like in the economy, visit the capital market. This is what informed LEADERSHIP’s visit to the capital market which showed that the agriculture sector is hardly profitable for now and without any form of dividend.

Traders Lament Lack Of Storage Facilities For Products

food bank

Traders at the boundary market between Kogi and Benue states have called on the states and federal government to enhance storage facilities for the food produce that are wasted after being unsold, which have been valued to be substantial.

Kebbi Govt. Commences Aerial Spray Against Quelea Birds

aerial spray

The Kebbi Government has commenced aerial spray of farm lands against quelea birds in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.

FG To Introduce Soil Test Kits To Farmers Nationwide – Official

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is to introduce soil test kits to farmers nationwide as part of efforts to boost food production, an official has said.

Katsina To Embark On Soil Survey

Aminu Bello Masari

As part of efforts to boost crop production and subsequent food security, Katsina State government is set to embark on soil conditioning survey.

Agriculture, Key To Achieving 2030 Agenda For SDGs – FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) director general, José Graziano da Silva has said food and agriculture is key to achieving the 2030 agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)
He said succeeding the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the ambitious 2030 Agenda is a global vision for people, for the planet and for long-term prosperity.

Dairy: Nigeria Intensifies Talks With Denmark’s Arla Foods

Chicken

In line with the government’s plan on food security, Nigeria has begun talks with one of the world’s largest dairy companies, Arla Foods, on the development of the dairy sector in Nigeria.

RURAL FARMING: ARMTI kicks off village initiative in Ilorin

Youth farmer

The Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State, has kicked off its Village Alive Development Initiative (VADI) aimed at promoting agricultural businesses which are beneficial to individuals and communities.

Farmers, Cattle Rearers Laud Nyako Over Promise To Build Earth Dams

herdsmen

Farmers and herdsmen in  seven local government areas that make up the Adamawa Central senatorial district have praised the senator representing the area, Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako, for his avowal to construct 14 earth dams from his constituency allowance.

First Lagos International Agric Show Begins April 25

First Lagos International Agric Show

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has announced that the 1st Lagos Agricultural International show and exhibition is organized to align with the federal government's focus on the sector.

AfDB President Adesina pledges support to Malawi,urges sustained reforms

African Development Bank

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina  commenced a two-day visit to Blantyre, Malawi, on tuesday where he pledged to continue supporting Malawi’s efforts at diversifying  its economy and on the long run fight poverty and ensure sustainable growth .

Researchers, Investors Support Oyo’s Agric Rebirth Initiative

Dr. Nteranya Sanginga

Top officials of agriculture research institutes, finance institutions, agro-allied business investors and other stakeholders have expressed their readiness to support the Oyo State government agricultural initiative programme.

Gov Bello Assures Farmers On Sustained Value Chain Agricultural Devt

Alhaji  Abubakar Sani Bello

Niger State Governor, Alhaji  Abubakar Sani Bello has expressed commitment to developing sustainable value chain in the agriculture sector of the state.

‘Nigeria Loses N2trn Annually From Shipping Business, Fisheries’

Cat Fish

With a coastal stretch of about 900km, Nigeria is one of the countries in the world blessed with immeasurable marine and aquatic resources.

CBN Disburses N16.4bn to Farmers

Farmers

The Central Bank of Nigeria has so far given out N16.4 billion to 78,000 farmers. This disbursement was done through its recently launched Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme.

Africa Makes Great Strides Towards Zero Hunger, Despite Hurdles-FAO

FAO

The Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) José Graziano da Silva  said Africa has made great strides in tackling hunger – and achieving a 30 percent drop in the proportion of its people facing hunger over the 1990-2015 period.

Oyo State Embraces Farming To Stave Off Economic Crisis

Tomato Farm

As a result of the persisting economic woes facing the country, the Oyo State Government has decided to diversify its economy into farming and mining with a view to improving the financial status of the state.

KWSG Plans 5,000 hectares for

grazing reserves.

In a bid to reduce the indiscriminate grazing by cattle, Kwara State Government plans to earmark 5,000 ha of land for grazing reserves.

National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation develops `Garri' Frying Machine

garri’ frying machine ’

The National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) had developed a `garri’ frying machine called `NCAM Mechanical Cassava Fryer’ to aid cassava farmers enhance their production.

Stakeholders Call For Repositioning Of Nigerian Commodity Exchange

market view

In order for the country to fully diversify into the agriculture sector and boost revenue in the non-oil sector, stakeholders have called for the repositioning of the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX).

Agriculture Road-map To Exponentially Grow GDP- Minister

Chief Audu Ogbe

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, has said that some of the key objectives of the Agriculture road-map includes increasing the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Introducing the Food Rescue Locator

While there are several large databases and directories for food banks, community dining rooms, food pantries and the like, there is no large database or directory for food rescue groups.

While there are several large databases and directories for food banks, community dining rooms, food pantries and the like, there is no large database or directory for food rescue groups.

NiMet predicts low rainfall as Agric, Water meets on irrigation farming

Agric Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Director General/CEO, NIMet, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi & the Mc at the 2016 SRP

The Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet)’s Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) official released for 2016 has indicated shorter rainfall as both Agriculture and Water Resources Ministries would meet on using irrigation modalities to checkmate vagaries of climate change based on expert’s advice from Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR).

Redressing The Challenge Of Herdsmen/Farmers’ Clashes

 Herdsmen

With the global challenge of climate change and receding water in the north, herdsmen are forced to drive their cattle in search of vegetative lands to feed on. Unfortunately, in the search for feed many farmers have cried out that their farms are being destroyed as the animals feed, and in some cases their crops are stampeded and ultimately destroyed.

FG Urged To Communicate Directly With Farmers

tomatoes

An agriculture economist, Dr Thaddaeus Thompson, has called on the federal government to directly communicate policies with farmers as the country gears up for the diversification of its economy through agriculture.

Stakeholders Call For Re-positioning Of Nigerian Commodity Exchange

GRAINS MARKET AT KAFIN MADAKI DISTRICT IN GANJUWA LGA OF BAUCHI STATE 

In order for the country to fully diversify into the agriculture sector and boost revenue in the non-oil sector, stakeholders have called for the re-positioning of the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) .

30 Indigenous Crops Promoting Health and Contributing to Food Security

indigenous fruits

According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), just twelve crops provide 75 percent of the world’s food. Three of these crops, rice, maize, and wheat contribute to nearly 60 percent of the protein and calories obtained by humans from plants. Since the beginning of the 20^th century, some 75 percent of plant genetic diversity has been lost.

Agriculture Roadmap To Exponentially Grow GDP

Chief Audu Ogbe

The minister of agriculture and rural development, Chief Audu Ogbe, has said that some of the key objectives of the Agriculture Roadmap includes increasing the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Addressing a Food Oasis with Right-Size Retail

right-size retail.

When residents of the Historic South Atlanta neighborhood set out to build a food oasis, the secret ingredient was right-size retail.

SON shuts down Yogurt factory in Kaduna

Tosco Standard Yogurt

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Kaduna has sealed the Kaduna office of Tosco Standard Yogurt, a multi-billion naira business over lack of good manufacturing practice.

Osun Farmers Express Hope despite NiMet’s Prediction

NiMet

Despite the predictions of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), farmers in Osun State have expressed their optimism to record bumper harvest.

FG,UNDP,BMGF lunch a centralized knowledge Management Framework for agriculture

Stakeholders at the jointly organized a multi-stakeholder workshop

In a bit to ensure free flow of information and data’s among agric stakeholders, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the United Nation Development Programme ( UNDP) and the World Bank have jointly organized a multi-stakeholder workshop towards ensuring the implementation and lunch of the Knowledge Management (KM) Framework of the Nigerian Agricultural sector.

Gov Udom Assures Cocoa Farmers Of Better Incentives

Governor Udom Emmanuel

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, has said that his administration would continue to encourage cocoa cultivation in the state by providing incentives to farmers with at least five hectares.