South Africa: Operation Phakisa to Transform Agricultural Sector

Jacob Zuma

Government will on Friday unveil the Operation Phakisa segment that focuses on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.This segment is meant to enhance and transform the agricultural sector while accelerating land reform.

Nigeria, others commend SARDC-SC , AFDB, demand sustainability

Wheat

·       * Farmers, community seed producer honor

Nigeria yesterday 27^th, 2017 played host to other African countries participating in the wheat production under the Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops (SARD-SC) towards checkmating import bill of over 50 billion dollar annually with Nigeria spending 4 billion as stakeholders commended the project and advised for its sustainability that would withstand competitiveness in the global market.

South Africa: KZN in Control of Fall Army Worm

Army Worm

KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Themba Mthembu has assured farmers and the people of that province that the department is in control of the Fall Army Worm.

Nigeria: Stay Away From 'Indian Garri', NAFDAC Warns

NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and drug Administration, NAFDAC, has begun investigations into the alleged importation of "Indian garri" in the country, even as Nigerians have been cautioned against consumption of the product.

Hunger looms, FCT farmers cry for help against farm destruction by cattle

 cattle

The efforts of Government to ensure food security may continue to face challenges as long as the rate at which the devastating activities of the herdsmen through their cattle are not properly checked by the security authority in Abuja and its environs.

Ethiopia: Premier Lays Baeker Integrated Agro-Industrial Park Cornerstone

Industrial parks operated or owned by IPDC.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn laid a cornerstone for Baeker Integrated Agro-Industrial Park yesterday in Humera, town of western Tigray State.

2017 African Development Bank Annual Meetings - "Transforming Agriculture for Wealth Creation in Africa"

Reflecting the significance of agriculture in Africa and in the Bank’s development work, the 2017 Annual Meetings will be held on the theme: “Transforming Agriculture for Wealth Creation in Africa.”

Ahmedabad, India — The 2017 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group will be held on May 22-25, 2017 in Ahmedabad, India. The Annual Meetings are Bank's largest annual event and serve to raise the profile of the institution on the global stage.

AGRF Nairobi Communiqué - Decisions and Commitments from the 2016 African Green Revolution Forum.

AGRF

The Sixth African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 5 to 9 September, 2016. It attracted more than 1500 delegates from 40 countries.

Zimbabwe: Dineo Aftermath - Stranded Zimbabwe Families 'Airlifted to Safety'

Stranded Zimbabwe Families 'Airlifted to Safety'

Two Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopters were deployed to airlift to safety at least 50 families stranded by floods this weekend in the southern district of Tsholotsho, a minister said.

Nigeria, Three Others May Lose 1.4 Million Children to Famine in 2017 - UN

Nigerians face famine.

The United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF, on Monday said that 1.4 million children suffering from severe malnutrition could die this year from famine in Nigeria and three other countries. The three other countries are Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

African Green Revolution Forum Today

AGRF

Today, across Africa, big things are happening on the millions of small family farms that are Africa’s main source of food, employment, and income.

Farmers express anxiety as IITA hands over aflasafe for commercialization

IITA

 Nigerian farmers have expressed fear over the Institute of International Tropical Agriculture ( IITA) preparedness  to commercialize aflasafe into mitigating aflatoxin  infestation of grain crops saying the decision should be given a second thought especially in the face of adulteration that ravaging of seeds production sub sector.

South Africa: Agriculture to Assist in SA's GDP Growth - Treasury

Jacob Zuma

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is set to play a crucial role in the growth of the country's gross domestic product, according to the 2017 Budget Speech.

Kenya: 3 Million Kenyans Need Relief Aid

3 Million Kenyans Need Relief Aid

Close to 3 million Kenyans are in need of relief assistance, official said. The Secretary of Communication and State House Spokesperson, Mr Manoah Esipisu, in his weekly address to the media in Nairobi on Sunday, said the number had doubled from 1.3 million in August 2016.

Kaduna state joins wheat race, says Lake Chad Institute boss

Kaduna State governor

The Executive Director, Lake Chad Research Institute, Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji has said that Kaduna state Government in its economy diversification efforts was about to finish planting five thousand hectares of wheat to upscale productivity towards substituting import bill of four billion naira annually.

Strategies to Feed Africa & Provide Jobs for Youths - AfDB As part of the African Development Bank's High 5 Agenda, the Bank in 2016 elaborated on two of its strategies to transform agriculture and to provide jobs for youths on the continent. Its "Feed Africa" - a strategy for agricultural transformation in Africa (2016-2025) seeks to eliminate extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition in Africa by 2025 and make Africa a net food exporter while moving the continent to the top of export-orientated global value chains where it has comparative advantage. The Bank also sees the potential benefits of Africa's youth population unrealized. In its Jobs for Youth in Africa - Creating 25 Million Jobs and Equipping 50 Million Youth (2016-2025), the Bank aims to catalyze the best set of options for Africa to promote transformative and inclusive growth, where the youth are the drivers of the required transformation and responsible for their own positive economic and social outcomes. More about the AfDB in this

Families queue for food in Badbado IDP camp, Mogadishu

As a devastating drought grips Somalia, UNICEF and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) are warning that only a massive and immediate scale-up of humanitarian assistance can help the country avoid falling into another catastrophe.

Industry Bank boss says cassava processors well assisted

The Acting Managing Director BOI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju

The Bank of Industry (BOI) has said the processing of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) embarked upon by the Federal Government during the last administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been well supported across the six geo political zones of the federation to ensure the needed processed quantity to millers for 10% inclusion to all bakeries.

‘Poultry farmers’ registration is the responsibility of both Vet and Animal scientists’

Prof. Eustace Iyayi

Recently, Food FarmNews recently had a chat with the Registrar/ CEO, Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) Prof. Eustace Iyayi on various issues and most especially on the mandates of NIAS. Excerpts…

We have enough windmill technology for grazing reserves says Jet Age Solution

windmill technology for grazing reserves

An indigenous company, Jet Age Energy Solution Nigeria Limited has said it has enough windmill power borehole that would serve the whole nation's grazing reserves saying the durability of the technology is very overwhelming when compared to any other technology like solar panel.

NAIC compensate poultry farmers with N80M

Managing Director (MD) of (NAIC) Mr. Bashir Haliru Binji, and
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Manzo Maigari, 

The Managing Director (MD) of Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) Mr. Bashir Haliru Binji, over 100% compensation has been paid to about few farmers that took cover against bird flu attack. He said this during the question and answer session at the Avian Influenza Consultative Meeting recently held at Abuja.

AFDB President, farmer’s slate for honor at Nigeria conference on SARD-SC wheat project

African Development Bank (AFDB) President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina

Between 27^th February- 2^nd March, 2017, Nigeria wheat value chain under the implementation and coordination of Lake Chad Research Institute( LCRI) in collaboration with ICARDA will give award to the African Development Bank (AFDB) President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and some other farmers just as  achievements towards  import substitution of $4 billion annually will be show case to the cross section of the 12 participating African countries in the Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops (SARD-SC) in Africa.

FG, other partners ready to mainstream NAIP to CAADP-Malabo declaration compliance

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Rural development, Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Federal Government through her Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and other stakeholders in collaboration with other international organizations will between 22^nd-24 February, 2017 brainstorm on appropriation of National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP) of the Nigeria  following guidelines of  CAAP- African Union (AU) Malabo Declaration on Agriculture and post harvest losses.

SAA 2000 AGENDA PUTS NIGERIA`S FOOD PRODUCTION AND AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES ON THE INCREASE

farmer

                          

SAA Global 2000’s partnership with rural farmers and cooperative groups who are into rice, wheat, maize and cassava farming in Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Cross River and Benue have been recording increased crop production from 1-2tons P/H to 4-2 P/H and singled out Cross River State where 5-8 tons of rice production was recorded as against 2-3 tons per H/A towards achieving its mission to eradicate hunger on the face of Africa realistic.

KANO TRAINS 660 YOUTH AND WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

The Kano State Commercial Agriculture Development Project under its Capacity Building and Empowerment Program recently trained 660 women and youth in Poultry, Dairy, Fisheries, Rice and Maize.

The 16-days Training program which took place at Audu Bako College of Agriculture Danbatta focused on the training of farmers and there after assist them to develop their capacities to plan and execute investment plans.

‘When we import rice, maize and sugar, we are basically creating jobs in other countries …’

President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Chief Kanayo Nwanze

President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Chief Kanayo Nwanze on the Channel TV Sunrise programme speaks on many issues affecting agricultural development in Africa and Nigeria saying policy inconsistency, dilapidated infrastructures and many others are major cause of the unemployment challenges.Excerpts…

Conservation agriculture cannot always be a win-win situation

Conservation agriculture

Conservation agriculture (CA) according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations is “a concept for resource-saving agricultural crop production that strives to achieve acceptable profits together with high and sustained production levels while concurrently conserving the environment”
Agriculture according to the New Standard Encyclopedia is “one of the most important sectors in the economies of most nations” (New Standard 1992).

Non availability of disaster fund hinders bird flu compensation

Chief Audu Ogbeh

*Minister to write Governors, insists on solution, farmers demand compensation without border

* Farmers demand compensation without border

*Disagreement of farmers’ registration

The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh has disclosed that non availability of agriculture disaster fund has been the reason why the ministry could not fulfill all the outstanding payments of 2015-2016 that was promised to poultry farmers who suffered losses as a result of an outbreak of Avian Influenza popularly known as Birds flu within this period.

CEREAL CROP PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA – PROSPECT AND CHALLENGES IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE ROLES OF GOVERNMENT, WOMEN AND YOUTH – A PAPER PRESENTED BY DR. TUNDE AROSANYIN

CEREAL CROP

THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR OF ZERO HUNGER COMMODITY ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA IN OUAGADOUGOU, BARKINA FASO AT AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

 

 cereal crops are grains usually cultivated farm land for food, cash and livestock feed. In Nigeria, major cereal crops cultivated are Maize, Rice, Sorghum, Millet and Wheat. The country is endowed with a land mass of 923,000m sq km of which 45% is arable for cereal, tree crop and tuber crop farming. Other climatic features such as annual rainfall are average of 1,150mm; 8 hours sunshine per day, humidity and temperature of 21⁰c were very favorable to cereal production.

GMO:NBMA will not Compromise Safety, counter opinions disagree, call for national debate

Dr. Rufus E. Ebegba

Dr. Rufus E. Ebegba, Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has said that the responsibility of the Agency is to safe guard the health of Nigerians in the practice of modern biotechnology and the use of genetically modified organisms.

Simple motorized weeders demonstrate the imperatives of cassava mechanization

IITA modified simple motorized weeders being used on a cassava field in Ibadan

Gasoline powered simple weeders adapted for weeding in cassava farms hold promise and may take off the burden of weeding faced by small-scale farmers in Africa.

Joint Private sector partnership will boost food security – Minister

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has said that private sector partnership in the agriculture sector remained vital for the country to attain food sufficiency.

‘Poultry farmers are going through tough time in Nigeria’

Poultry farmer

Mr. John Dassar is the Plateau State chapter chairman of Poultry Association of Nigeria. In this interview conducted by Food Farm News he spoke on the struggle of the bird raisers to keep afloat in these lean times, the contagious and zoonotic bird flu and what the government should do to help the farmers. Excerpts…

Zero hunger plan to emancipate Nigeria from poverty, hunger, says Obasanjo

 

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said the Synthesis Report of the Nigeria Zero Hunger Strategic Review provided a framework that would unlock the potential of Nigeria and emancipate her from the shackles of hunger and poverty. He made the statement at the recent launch of a strategic plan and roadmap to achieve zero hunger by 2030.

Editorial- Reversing post harvest losses

Reversing post harvest losses

The rate of post harvest losses among farmers across the country calls for concern. A visit to various food markets and even farms attests to this facts. It has been estimated that about 60 percent of produce ends up being wasted.  This a critical issue more so when Nigerians are crying of hunger.

Kenya: Government Declares Drought a National Disaster

Kilifi County Commissioner Joseph Keter (left) and county Kenya Red Cross manager Hakima Masoud (right) verify an SMS text from one of the beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme launched in Kaloleni. Add caption

The Government has declared the current drought affecting 23 arid and semi-arid counties and pockets of other areas a national disaster.

Hydroponic growing the future of Agriculture

Hydroponic

*Hydroponics technology will improve Nigeria’s food security and driving growth

In this context, one of the most promising developments has been the rapid increase of investment in hydroponic agricultural activity across the globe in recent years. Hydroponic farming, which involves growing plants in nutrient-rich water instead of soil, has the potential to transform not only regional food security, but to generate a considerable amount of economic growth across the region.

South Africa and EU Spar Over Chicken Meat Imports

chicken

S. African poultry industry workers marched to the European Union's headquarters in Pretoria, accusing the EU of dumping cheap chicken in the country. The EU says it is not the cause of the industry's woes.

FG to launch N10bn Initiative for Women In Agriculture - PMB

President Muhammadu Buhari

The  Federal Government has kick started the Agricultural Policy through which it intends to achieve some key targets among which is using women to unlock food potentials via the launching of a N10
Billion Women in Agriculture Environment Impact Fund (WAEIF) in Abuja. This was made known via a press release issued by the Deputy Director (information) in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. A.B.Lere-Adams.

Gambia's Aquaculture On the Path of Sustainable Development

Senghore feeding the fish in one of his ponds

The Gambia continues to face escalating food and nutrition deficits, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). As in most African countries, improved agriculture practices ensure food security, while agriculture itself is a prime source of income generation and poverty reduction for many rural households living below the poverty line.

Southern Africa Battles Army Worm Invasion

 Army Worm

Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe are urging farmers to act fast with pesticides to halt the spread of army worms now threatening crops. Army worms are a common pest, but this year's invasion has sparked particular concern.

Kenya: Number of Kenyans Facing Starvation Rises By 1.4m

United Nations World Food Programme

The number of Kenyans in need of relief food has risen to 2.7 million from 1.3 million last year, a government agency has said.

IITA boss warns against paying lip service to agriculture

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; Director General, I ITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga; and the Director of Policy and Program, World Food Programme, Mr Stanlake Samkange in Abuja.

There are negative consequences if Africa continued to pay lip service to agriculture, and failed to invest in the sector, the Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Nteranya Sanginga has warned.

FG inaugurates committee on the restructuring of Agric Bank

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh  has inaugurated the National Council on Privatization (NCP), Steering committee on the restructuring and recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and the project delivery team  at the minister’s conference room, Abuja. The launch brought together stakeholders from different sectors to oversee the affairs of the bank, as it is being repositioned by the newly appointed committee members.

Kenaf production, a veritable platform says vice president's aide

Kenaf

Stakeholders, including agriculture experts, agronomists, academia, political appointees, financial experts, farmers and other relevant organizations recently met  in Ibadan to discuss ways of improving production of Kenaf and improve revenue generation among farmers.

JUST NAME IT - WE'VE DONE IT IN "HIS" NAME- By Sani Sagagi of Sasakawa 2000

Sani Sagagi

We made plans, held daily meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, bazaars, exhibitions, press conferences, foreign trips, study tours and visits, uncountable foreign investor-teams came, we conducted baselines, thematic, commodities and markets studies,

Rwanda: Madhvani Group Speaks Out on Plans to Satisfy Country's Sugar Demands

Sugar

In recent years, sugar production in the country has not matched supply which has in turn had an impact on the trade deficit.

Bayelsa Farmers Acquires 40, 000 Hectares Of Land For Rice Farming

Rice

Rice Farmers in Bayelsa State has confirmed the acquisition of over  40, 000 hectares of land in the efforts to boost local cultivation of rice in the state.

South Africa: Poultry Task Team Making Headway

The Department of Trade and Industry

Pretoria — The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) says the task team set up to deal with challenges in the domestic poultry industry has made progress since its inception.

Adamawa Trains 240 Farmers On Dry-season Farming

Adamawa farmers

The Adamawa Government on Friday said it had commenced the   training of 240 farmers in various dry season farming.

‘I came to Nigeria to see what is common and different between the Nigeria and Burkina’ Faso agriculture, so that we will see if there is room for exchange …’

Ouedraogo Inoussa is the director of LAVODEC (Entrepec agricole) and President de L’union Nationale des Cooperatives des Entrepreneurs Agricole du Burkina’Faso, and Alhaji Yakubu Mishelia Debiro, MD Debiro Farms

Ouedraogo Inoussa is the director of LAVODEC (Entrepec agricole) and President de L’union Nationale des Cooperatives des Entrepreneurs Agricole du Burkina’Faso. He was in Nigeria to buy ginger and also see how his country could benefit from Nigeria and vice versa especially in cooperative related matters. In this interview he tells how cooperative administration is structured in Burkina Faso. Listen to Audio Interview.

‘I came to Nigeria to see what is common and different between the Nigeria and Burkina’ Faso agriculture, so that we will see if there is room for exchange …’

Ouedraogo Inoussa is the director of LAVODEC (Entrepec agricole) and President de L’union Nationale des Cooperatives des Entrepreneurs Agricole du Burkina’Faso, and Alhaji Yakubu Mishelia Debiro, MD Debiro Farms

Ouedraogo Inoussa is the director of LAVODEC (Entrepec agricole) and President de L’union Nationale des Cooperatives des Entrepreneurs Agricole du Burkina’Faso. He was in Nigeria to buy ginger and also see how his country could benefit from Nigeria and vice versa especially in cooperative related matters. In this interview he tells how cooperative administration is structured in Burkina Faso. Excerpts…

Africa: AU Members Urged to Prioritise Agriculture

Maize is the staple food of several African countries.

Addis Ababa — The African Union (AU) has called on the member states to prioritise agriculture in order to grow their economies.