STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE- WHY WE NEED TO MAKE GLOBAL DIALOGUES ON FOOD SYSTEMS REFLECTIVE OF OUR SITUATIONS - KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE INCEPTION DIALOGUE ON THE UN FOOD SYSTEMS SUMMIT HELD ON TUESDAY, 23RD FEBRUARY, 2021

I am most delighted to be with you this morning for this very crucial dialogue on the Nigeria Food System in collaboration with the United Nations to raise global awareness and shape global commitments towards mobilizing food systems to address hunger, reduce diet-related diseases and strengthen plenary health.

Wheat seeds importation, not to under mind local production, says former ED LCRI

The former Executive Director (ED), Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) Dr.Oluwasina Olabanji has said that the recently imported 1,000 metric tons of quality wheat seeds by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and  Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (NFMAN) from Mexico  was not meant to spite the local varieties multiplication process , but rather to step up the wheat programme expansion towards increased cultivation from the present 250,000 hectares to 1.2 million in the country .

Nigeria not ready for SDG-2 food security, says Prof. Ajayi

·         VP Prof. Osinbajo commends

One of the speakers at the yesterday’s summit on food actionable programmes against hunger, Prof. Rasaq Sanusi Ajayi has said that Nigeria is not following the path of Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) to attain food security.

Lack of fund hinders animals’ vaccination

·        OIE donates 200,000 anti rabies

The yearly animal vaccination across the nation may have been hindered due to lack of fund and which might lead to low productivity in the running years. Food Farm News reliably gathered this from a reliable source in the ministry.

Cocoa: FG earns N135B despite Covid-19 pandemic

Despite the bottlenecks created by the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the cocoa sector has earned the country a sum of 135 Billion Naira from export into the international market, said the Executive Director (ED) Cocoa Research Institute (CRIN) Dr. Patrick Adebola.

Cashew: FG encourages stakeholders on increase productivity

The Federal Government (FG) through the Permanent Secretary (PS), Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI) Dr. Nasiru Sani Gwarzo has advised the new leadership of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) to ensure inclusive cooperation model that would  ensure development of the sub-sector for more economic earnings and job creations  for the entire nation. Meanwhile the proper handover of leadership was also conducted as Mr. Tola Faseru (Ex president) formally handed over to the new leadership of Hon. Ojo Ajanaku.

AFAN hails Nigeria’s exit, asks for re-positioning of Agriculture

The recently announced exit of Nigeria from economic recession by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has been commended by the President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Architect Kabiru Ibrahim who said that Agriculture in Nigeria must be re-positioned to forestall return to another recession through involvement of major stakeholders.

FG plans to establish jute bag factories, says Agric Minister

The Federal Government is determined to put in place a funding plan that will ensure establishment of jute bag factories across the states, just as kenaf cultivation is expected to be galvanized.

Nasarawa Governor solicits Agric Minister’s collaboration for food security

The Governor of Nasarawa state, Engr. Abdullahi Sule has called for the Federal Government (FG) agricultural policies that would positively impact in the employment creation and commercialization of Agriculture in his state.

FG promises support to apple productivity, institutes 7man committee

The Federal Government (FG) has advised the stakeholders of apple produce to steadfastly focus in putting a well structured association that cut across the six geo-political zones so as to be able to benefit from many Government programmes and support to increase productivity towards import mitigation and more economic earnings, just as seven man committee was constituted to draft a comprehensive constitution within one month.

FG, USDA parley to galvanise $10 million opportunities in cashew productivity

 The Minister Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), West Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop cashew productivity towards creation of ten million dollar opportunities and national food security as well.

COVID-19: FG releases 2021 inputs to Bornu farmers

 The Minister of state, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has distributed agricultural inputs to Bornu state small scale farmers as part of effort to mitigate impacts of 2020 covid- 19 pandemic disease and flood  on food security. This was contained in a press release made available to the media on Monday this week.

Avian Influenza resurfaces in Nigeria

 The deadly notorious bird disease known as Avian Influenza (AI) has again resurfaced in the country as some states have reported the outbreak experience that had led to the lost of birds and investments of poultry farmers.  

Let farmers speak with one voice, says AFAN president

The president of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Architect Kabiru Ibrahim has advocated for one voice for farmers, saying it was through this means that they can positively impact on food security in the country. Ibrahim made this known in a private chat with Food Farm News.

NCAM boss wants support for farmers through mechanization subsidy

The Executive Director (ED), National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Engr. Yomi Kasali  has advised the states Government to step up support for farmers through subsidy extension to agricultural mechanization technologies like is done for fertilizers, just as Mrs J.A Ogunseyin from Ekiti Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) suggested that loan given to farmers be tailored along technologies from NCAM.

World actors advocate for inclusive solution against hunger in Nigeria

 Actionable programmes to solve food challenges in Nigeria through collective efforts of all stakeholders in the food value chains towards enhanced sustainable food security in the next ten years were the major highlights at today’s webinar virtual meeting that was held with over 100 journalists on Nation Food System Dialogue (FSSD), organised by United Nations (UN) and Nigerian Government.

Gombe farmers get FG inputs to mitigate covid-19, flood disaster

The Federal Government (FG) through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has distributed several inputs to small scale farmers in Gombe state so as to mitigate the impact of covid-19 pandemic of last year cum the flood negative impact on food security.

This was contained in press release made available to journalists from the office of director information, FMARD.

President Buhari reappoints NAIC boss for second term

 

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) Mrs. Folashade Joseph has been reappointed for the second term in office by President Muhammadu Buhari with effect from April 11, 2021.

We are not averse to reconciliation, says AFAN President

The President, All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Architect Kabiru Ibrahim has said his leadership is quite disposed to reconciliation with Faruk Mudi Rabiu’s faction as long as the exercise would respect the constitutional principle of the Association.