COMMUNIQUE THAT EMANATED FROM THE VALIDATION WORKSHOP OF STAKEHOLDERS ON THE WAY FORWARD TOWARDS EXTENSION OF NEW INNOVATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA HELD AT THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION (NCAM) ON WEDNESDAY, 20TH JANUARY, 2021.

 

The call for Nigeria to diversify from oil has now become imperative in the face of dwindling economy that has been driven by crude oil, however in the face of declined production and low cost of crude oil, the utilization of other sources of energy such as renewable, solar, hydro, wind, etc., have taken the centre stage.

Cotton: Stakeholders lament as crop goes missing from 2021 Agricultural budget

Stakeholders in the Cotton Value chain sub sector have lamented over the disappearance of the crop from the 2021 Agricultural budget that had already been presented to the Federal Minister of Finance, saying this was a reflection of non economic attachment to the revival of Nigerian textile industry. A close source told Food Farm News. 

Rice production: NCAM advises FG to adopt ‘‘SERIF’’ technology

·        Ogun embarks on harvest

The National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) has called on the Federal Government (FG) to replicate the Japanese rice technology called SAWAH Eco- Technology for Rice Farming (SERIF) in all the states of the federation, just as the Ogun state has started harvesting its dry season rice farming being dividend of the technology.

Engr. Dr. Isaac Ozumba giving overview of reasons for 2021 Agricultural Mechanization validation workshop that is on going today 20th, 2021.

 

FG plans to release imported maize into market

There are great indications that the Federal Government (FG) will soon release about 262,000 metric tons of maize into the market to reduce the current price of N155, 000 per ton to One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (120,000.00). This was yesterday reported at 7’ O’clock news in the African Independent Television (AIT).

IAR promises a guide support for farmers against pandemic

As part of effort to ensure that farmers overcome the negative effects of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic coupled climate change challenges, the Executive Director (ED), Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru, Zaria, Prof. Mohammed Ishiyaku has promised that his institute is working to release a guide on how to surmount the challenges of pandemic seasons for increased food productivity to farmers.  

Agriculture: ‘’We have seen great margin in Ogun’’ says FCT-ADP mission leader

The combined delegation leader of Federal Capital Territory Agricultural Development Programme (FCT-ADP) and Agric and Rural Development (ARDS), Mr. Yahaya Hussaini, has described the agricultural template implementation strategies of Ogun state agricultural programme as very superb to others with a wide margin saying the broiler and fisheries project would be replicated by them. Mr. Yahaya Hussaini, a director of Planning, research and statistics at ARDS said this during a visit to under-study Ogun state agricultural programme last week at Abeokuta.

The second phase of ATASP will make poorer people richer says, Nat. Coordinator

The National Program Coordinator, Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-One (ATASP-1) Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Arabi has promised that the second phase of the programme would expand to make other states’ people at the value chains of agricultural productivity richer in their comparative advantageous crops of rice, cassava and sorghum. 

Editorial: Farming seasons: Need to take rainfall predictions serious

The impact of climate change on social economic activities of any nation especially in food security matter cannot be over emphasised more importantly where adequate precautions are not taken before time to control drainages and other provision of new improved technologies that can easily resist  drought and plenty rainfall.

IAR cotton breeder wants non Bt on farms for higher yield

 

A cotton breeder and principal investigator of 2018 Biotechnology (Bt) cotton varieties from Institute for Agricultural Research, Zaria, Dr. M.Z Mohammed has advised farmers to embrace the inter planting of the 2 newly registered cotton seeds (MAHYCO C 567 and MAHYCO C 571) that came along with the two earlier released hybrid Bt cottons package as Refuse In Bag (RIB) for maximum yield and environmental management.

Our voice will make intellectual property act stronger, says plant breeders’ President

The first national President, Nigerian Plant Breeders Association (NPBA), Prof. Chiedozie Egesi has promised that his leadership would ensure a passage of the intellectual property right bill into an act with more involvement of his members.