NiMet: Stakeholders advocate impact-based climate change information

NiMet officials Mr. James Adamu Ijampy, Dr. Mansur Matazu & Mr. Chris Togonus Daudu of (NCRI) at the two day workshop organised by NiMet & SWIFT

Stakeholders across the economy of Nigeria have called on the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to upscale its weather and climate related information to the benefits of rural communities so as to reduce losses through well-informed impact-based forecast rather than the raw data without explanation of negative impact prediction on economic productivity. This was one of the stands taken at two-day Stakeholders’ Workshop held in Abuja, recently.

Getting to the core of underwater soil

Taking a soil core from underwater

Soils all over the Earth's surface are rigorously tested and managed. But what about soils that are down in the murky depths? Although not traditional soils, underwater soils have value and function. Some scientists are working to get them the recognition and research they deserve.

Legumes such as peas and beans form intimate and mutually beneficial partnerships

Legumes

Legumes such as peas and beans form intimate and mutually beneficial partnerships (symbioses) with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, rhizobia.

Crop residue burning is a major contributor to air pollution in South Asia

 air pollution

While fossil fuel emissions in New Delhi account for 80 percent of the air pollution plume during the summer, emissions from biomass burning (such as crop residue burning) in neighboring regions rival those from fossil fuels during the fall and winter.

How the humble marigold outsmarts a devastating tomato pest

 tomato

Scientists have revealed for the first time the natural weapon used by marigolds to protect tomato plants against destructive whiteflies.

New study uses big data to analyze the international food trade

international food 

As the world population swells, the inequitable distribution of food around the globe is prompting profound moral questions.

Human settlements and rainfall affect giraffe home ranges

Bat

Giraffes that live close to densely populated towns have larger home ranges than giraffes that live far from towns, according to a new study by an international team of wildlife researchers from the University of Zürich, Penn State, and the Wild Nature Institute.

Plants short-cut evolution by taking genes from neighbors

Plant

Scientists have discovered that grasses are able to short cut evolution by taking genes from their neighbours.

Climate-friendly labriculture depends on an energy revolution

Climate-friendly labriculture depends on an energy revolution

Currently proposed types of lab-grown meat cannot provide a cure-all for the detrimental climate impacts of meat production without a large-scale transition to a decarbonised energy system, a new study has found.

Triple burden of malnutrition persists in Europe and Central Asia

Triple burden of malnutrition persists in Europe and Central Asia

In Europa and Central Asia, significant progress has been made in reducing undernourishment over the past two decades. However, new evidence shows a stagnation of this trend, particularly in Central Asia.

Plants can skip the middlemen to directly recognize disease-causing fungi

Plants can skip the middlemen to directly recognize disease-causing fungi

Fungal diseases collectively termed powdery mildew afflict a broad range of plant species, including agriculturally relevant cereals such as barley, and result in significant reductions in crop yield.

The trials of turfgrass breeders

Researcher collecting data on turfgrass research plots.

A study out of the University of Minnesota investigated the practices and challenges of turfgrass breeders and distributors. Chengyan Yue led a team of researchers that unveiled important insight regarding breeding and distribution practices and management in the turfgrass industry.

Improving ecosystems with aquatic plants

Improving ecosystems with aquatic plants

Researchers Lyn Gettys and Kimberly Moore conducted a study and a series of experiments at the University of Florida to determine whether littoral aquatic plants could be grown effectively using a variety of substrates and irrigation methods similar to techniques used by traditional greenhouses for large-scale plant production.

New species of 'golden death' bacterium digests parasitic worms from the inside out

New species of 'golden death' bacterium 

A new species of bacterium, Chryseobacterium nematophagum, has been found to digest its hosts -- roundworm parasites -- from the inside out. The findings, which are presented in the open access journal BMC Biology, suggest that the bacteria may potentially be used in future, to control roundworm infections in animals, plants, and, potentially, humans.

IAR ce Cocoa, Kola goro iya girma a Arewa

Dr. Uthman Arunah

A masanin kimiyya a sashen Agronomy na Cibiyar aikin gona Institute (IAR), Samaru, Zaria, Dr. Uthman Arunah ya ce cewa koko da Kola goro da za a iya samu nasarar horar da a cikin yankin arewacin kasar a lokacin da mafi kyau agronomic ayyuka suna amfani.  Ya ce wannan a koko da Kola goro gõnaki na Cibiyar inda biyu amfanin gona ana kula ga fitina.

Our damuwa ne inganta yawan aiki na Shea kwayoyi a cikin sauran Kalam .... Modibo

Sakataren Janar, National Shea Butter Association, Mallam Adamu Modibo

The National Sakatare Janar, National Shea Butter Association, Mallam Adamu Modibo ya ce da aiki da Shea kwayoyi a cikin sauran sarrafa Kalam kuma exportable kayayyakin ne abin da za a iya tattalin arziki amfana da kasa da kuma dukan masu ruwa da tsaki a cikin darajar da amfanin gona.

Najeriya buga for $ 100 biliyan sorghum kasuwar ce NAQS

(DG), Najeriya aikin gona keɓe masu ciwo Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe

Babban Darektan (DG), Najeriya aikin gona keɓe masu ciwo Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe ya ce cewa Gwamnatin Tarayya (FG) da ewa ba zai bincika $ 100 biliyan kasuwar damar a kasashen Asiya ta hanyar fitarwa na Sorghum don jawo hankalin wani ɓangare na riba iko.

Castor shugaban kasar na son India kasuwar model a Najeriya

Group photo

The shugaban kasar, National Castor Tsaba Producers, sarrafawa Association, Mallam Ali Lawan ya ce da kwafi na man tsaba marketing model a Indiya zasu bunkasa yawan aiki a duk darajar sarƙoƙi a Najeriya.

Cuta fashewa: da dama dabbõbi kashe a jihar Kaduna

·        El-Rufai ya amince da 10m ga iko

Gwamnan Jihar Kaduna Nasir El-Rufai

An dabba cutar da ake zargin ya zama m Bovine Pleuro ciwon huhu (CBPP) ya kwanan nan kashe wata babbar lamba na shanu a wasu sassa na jihar Kaduna kamar yadda gwamnati ta amince da  10 da Naira miliyan tabbatar rigakafin  ta yaduwar.

Radical rethink needed to tackle obesity and climate change, report

Radical rethink needed to tackle obesity and climate change

Public health experts have called for a radical rethink of business models and food systems in order to tackle obesity, undernutrition and climate change. Governments must limit the political influence of powerful food and beverage corporations and prioritise the public good over commercial interests, according to a new report published by The Lancet Commission on Obesity in January.

International Women’s Day — so much more than just celebrating By Ingermarie Vennize

Ingermarie Vennize

It is one day of the year where women and lots of men are making the case that everybody is losing out by suppressing half the world’s population. A day to highlight positive changes and inspire others.

Disease outbreak: Several cattle killed in Kaduna state

·       El-Rufai approves 10m for control

Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai

An animal disease suspected to be Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP) has recently killed a huge number of cattle in some parts of the Kaduna state just as government has approved  10 million naira to ensure prevention of  its further spread.

UN General Assembly says 'yes' to peasant rights declaration

UN General Assembly

The United Nations have finally adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. 

Scientists call for a shift to healthy diets from sustainable food systems

Scientists call for a shift to healthy diets from sustainable food systems

Feeding a growing population of 10 billion by 2050 with a healthy and sustainable diet is possible but we need to change dietary patterns, improve food production and reduce food waste. This is the message of a major new report published by the EAT Lancet commission in mid-January.

Honeybees' waggle dance no longer useful in some cultivated landscapes

A honeybee performing a waggle dance

For bees and other social insects, being able to exchange information is vital for the success of their colony. One way honeybees do this is through their waggle dance, which is a unique pattern of behavior, which probably evolved more than 20 million years ago.

‘We are fed up!’: 35,000 march in Berlin for sustainable farming

‘We are fed up!’: 35,000 march in Berlin for sustainable farming

Thousands took to the streets of Berlin last Saturday, 19 January, to demand a new food and farming policy that benefits small farmers and protects the environment. Farmers, consumers, conservationists, beekeepers and food activists joined the march which was led by 171 tractors and ended in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

Castor President wants India market model in Nigeria

Group picture

The President, National Castor Seeds Producers, Processors Association, Mallam Ali Lawan has said the replication of oil seeds marketing model in India would enhance productivity at all the value chains in Nigeria.

Czech supermarkets must donate unsold foods, court confirms

supermarkets 

Supermarkets in the Czech Republic must donate unsold products to food banks. On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court dismissed an appeal against a new amendment to the national Food Act, aimed at reducing food waste.

Triple burden of malnutrition persists in Europe and Central Asia

Triple burden of malnutrition persists in Europe and Central Asia

In Europa and Central Asia, significant progress has been made in reducing undernourishment over the past two decades. However, new evidence shows a stagnation of this trend, particularly in Central Asia. According to a report released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on December 11th, almost 14.3 million adults, and some 4.7 million children in Europe and Central Asia suffered from severe food insecurity in the three-year period from 2015 to 2017.

69.8 million hectares farmed organically worldwide in 2017

 hectares farmed organically

Organic farming is on the rise across the globe. A total of 69.8 million hectares were farmed organically at the end of 2017, representing a growth of almost 11.7 million hectares or 20% compared to the previous year.

The prospects of American strawberries

The prospects of American strawberries

A comprehensive review led by Jayesh Samtani of Virginia Tech and Curt Rom of the University of Arkansas encapsulates an understanding of the challenges, needs, and opportunities of strawberry growers across the United States.

DNA traces on wild flowers reveal insect visitors

DNA traces on wild flowers reveal insect visitors

Researchers from Aarhus University, Denmark, have discovered that insects leave tiny DNA traces on the flowers they visit.

Cities could play a key role in pollinator conservation, study

Cities could play a key role in pollinator conservation

Cities could play a key role in conserving pollinators, new research shows. According to a study published in the journal “Nature Ecology and Evolution”, residential and community gardens in urban areas are pollinator ‘hotspots’.

Nigeria sets for $100 billion sorghum market says NAQS

Director General (DG), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe 

The Director General (DG), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe has said that the Federal Government (FG) would soon explore $100 billion market opportunity in Asian countries through export of Sorghum to attract part of the profit potentials.

Massive decline in insects could lead to catastrophic collapse of nature

insects

More than 40% of insect species could become extinct over the next few decades, leading to a “catastrophic collapse of nature’s ecosystems”, a new study has warned.

WFP News Release- WORKING WITH WOMEN AND GIRLS ACCELERATES PROGRESS TOWARDS FOOD SECURITY

 WOMEN AND GIRLS 

 Abuja – Putting women and girls front and centre in policy decisions and in programmes to tackle hunger and poverty is vital for reaching our goal of a Zero Hunger world by 2030. Reducing inequalities and removing barriers that exclude women from influencing development in all sectors advances food security. 

New biochemical pathway that may develop more resilient crop varieties

New biochemical pathway that may develop more resilient crop varieties

By manipulating the CHLORAD pathway, scientists can modify how plants respond to their environment. For example, the plant's ability to tolerate stresses such as high salinity can be improved.

Foreign bees monopolize prize resources in biodiversity hotspot

Non-native honey bees 

Hike around the natural habitats of San Diego County and it becomes abundantly clear that honey bees, foreign to the area, are everywhere.

Our concern is enhancing productivity of Shea nuts into other derivatives....Modibo

National Secretary General, National Shea Butter Association, Mallam Adamu Modibo

The National Secretary General, National Shea Butter Association, Mallam Adamu Modibo has said the processing of shea nuts into other processed derivatives and exportable products is what can economically benefit the country and the entire stakeholders at the value of the crop.

IAR says Cocoa, kola nut can grow in the North

Dr. Uthman Arunah

A scientist at the Department of Agronomy of the Institute of Agricultural Institute (IAR), Samaru, Zaria, Dr. Uthman Arunah has said that cocoa and kola nut could be successfully cultivated in the northern part of the country when best agronomic practices are applied.  He said this at the cocoa and kola nut orchard of the Institute where the two crops are being monitored for trial.

A very small number of crops are dominating globally: That's bad news for sustainable agriculture

Soybeans

A new U of T study suggests that globally we're growing more of the same kinds of crops, and this presents major challenges for agricultural sustainability on a global scale.

Future of food ‘under severe threat’ from biodiversity loss

 Future of food ‘under severe threat’ from biodiversity loss

The plants, animals, and micro-organisms that are the foundation of food production are in decline, putting the future of our food, livelihoods, health and environment under severe threat. This dire warning has been issued by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in a report released on February 22.

Global crop diversity in decline as just four crops dominate, study

Global crop diversity in decline as just four crops dominate

Crop diversity around the world is declining, presenting a challenge for both the environment and food security. This is the result of new study from the University of Toronto Scarborough, published in the journal PLOS ONE on February 6.

Photos speak at the advocacy group meeting on access to quality seeds by stakeholders from Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and F.c.t holding at Kaduna State.

Photos speak at the advocacy group meeting on access to quality seeds by stakeholders from Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and F.c.t  holding at Kaduna state

The advocacy group meeting is on the validation of Access to Quality seeds by small scale farmers from Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and FCT. This advocacy group is being supported by Partnerships to Engage Reform and Learning (PERL)-Engaged Citizen Pillar (EPI) of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). See more images below.

Experts present new vision for sustainable food systems in Europe

Experts present new vision for sustainable food systems in Europe

A group of leading food experts have mapped out a new vision for reforming European food systems in a report launched on February 7th. EU food and farming systems require a fundamental change of direction in order to address climate change, halt biodiversity loss, curb obesity, and make farming viable for the next generation, says the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food).

Stakeholders say NAADI pro-activeness will checkmate food imports

·       Akure, Bauchi centres soon

Stakeholders have suggested that active utilization of agro processing centres across the country would be effective to reduce high import bills that are being expended on foods annually in the country, just as centres for Ondo and Bauchi states will soon be opened for operations towards market competitiveness through value addition.

Guinness initiative benefits 6,000 farmers, others, says company boss

Group Picture

With investments in Agriculture, local manufacturing and backward integration, the Guinness Nigeria Local Raw Materials (LRM) initiative has benefited over 6,000 subsistence farmers, rural traders and various stakeholders in the production value chains. This was disclosed by Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Baker Magunda, at the launch of a programme tagged “Grow with Nigeria” in Abuja.

Agric research institutes warn farmers against early planting

 

Prof. Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar & Prof James Adediran

With the recent rainfall in some parts of the country, the two major Agricultural Research Institutes in Nigeria, covering the North and South ecologies overall bosses have warned farmers against using the early down pours in February and March as yard stick to embark on planting, saying they should be patient till end of March when steady rainfall would have been available to sustain the survival of any crop from subsequent heat that may follow the early rainfalls.

Joint News Release- FOURTH AFRICA DAY OF SCHOOL FEEDING CELEBRATED IN ABIDJAN, COTE D’IVOIRE

School Feeding

ABIDJAN – The fourth edition of the African Day of School Feeding, celebrated under the theme “Investing in home-grown school feeding for achieving Zero Hunger and sustaining inclusive education for all, including refugees, returnees and internally-displaced persons in Africa” was officially opened today by His Excellency Daniel Kablan DUNCAN, Vice President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and celebrated under his distinguished patronage.