FG Urged To Protect Soil, Water and Forest Resources against Degradation

organic resources

In time past, farmers who used traditional methods of farming that entailed organic resources, were known to produce enough food not only to feed themselves, but also used as surplus for barter.

This is the view of a Professor of Agronomy at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUA) Umuahia, Abia State, Dr. Dominic Aja Okpara. According to Okpara, the population at that time was low, while the traditional farming systems that involved shifting cultivation or bush fallowing was fully capable of restoring soil fertility naturally because fallow periods were long enough.

He said, “The situation is now different and the major cause of the present low crop yields or low productivity of soils in South Eastern Nigeria is the high population, which has put considerable pressure on land.

“The present challenge is made more serious due to increasingly short fallow periods, soil degradation and erosion, which pose a problem to food security in the region.”

The Professor described Organic Farming as a production system, which excludes the use of synthetic and chemical inputs like fertilizers; pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives, adding that most farmers in Africa practice non-certified organic agriculture, partly because they are poor and due to the quality of the products which are tastier and free from chemical residues.

Okpara, who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, while delivering the Institution’s 23rd Inaugural Lecture on “Crop Interactions and Nutrient Management: Implications for Food Security in Degraded Ecosystems,”
noted that South Eastern Nigeria has high population densities and high level pressures on land, he held that the agricultural system has been undermined and the land degraded to the point, where the components of our agricultural system have been upset.

The second is the integration of herbaceous and tree legumes into the system, which he said should involve government in the protection of soil, water and forest resources against degradation.

He added that the presence of trees has a positive effect on many crops, either as a result of its contribution to soil fertility, retention of water or because of the resulting microclimate.

Okpara’s recommendation was that farmers should be willing to incorporate trees into their farms, as this has several benefits. He noted that a good agro forestry programme in which forestry species are grown in compatible arrangements with food or export crops, should be adopted.

He also added that the promotion of integrated systems of production, where the principles of synergy, complementarity and supplementarity, are at play in organic system, which will convert waste to wealth and the integrated nutrient management of the farm, would ensure sustainable production of the systems.

Okpara further stated that integrated crop/livestock agriculture will improve soil fertility, increase yield, produce a density of foods and improve land use efficiency.

The Songhai Integrated System, he advised, should be adopted or replicated in the States of the Federation, in order to create products and services that hold the potential to dramatically increase productivity, ensure nutritional quality and eliminate waste and pollution.

Safeguard Your Farms against Bird Flu – VCN Urge Farmers

BioSecurity

The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has urged poultry farmers in the country to safeguard their farms against bird flu by applying the appropriate bio-security measures.

The Registrar, Dr Mrcus Avong, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, while reacting to the recent outbreak of bird flu in Lagos State.

Avong stated that not all strategies mapped out for the containment of the disease were being implemented hence the need for individual farmers to safeguard their farms.

He noted that active surveillance and restriction of poultry, poultry products and by-products had not been implemented hitherto.

“The Lagos outbreak is not a new one; it is part of the ongoing spread of the disease because it started in a few States, then spread to 18 and now 21 States.

“We have not controlled the disease to the extent of declaring Nigeria free of the problem; it is still going round’’ he explained.

Avong, therefore, urged farmers to take adequate measures that would discourage wild birds and other organisms such as rodents and pests from invading their farms.

According to him, these organisms are responsible for the spread of the disease from one farm to another through their movement.

He further urged the Federal Department of Veterinary Services and its State counterparts to collaborate with the Nigerian Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in conducting proper surveillance toward inhibiting the spread of bird flu.

Plateau To Embark on Potato Farming

In order to explore the potential that abound in Plateau State as regards Potato farming and to create employment opportunity for the youth, some potato farmers are set to embark on large scale potato farming and processing in the State.

They will also engage in providing high technical knowhow and input supplies to the industry in terms of equipment leasing and hiring as well as provide storage and processing facilities with the capacity to store 12 metric tons of potatoes and process two tons per hour.

Disclosing the steps taken so far to realize the plans, the Chief Executive Officer, Vicampro Agrochemical Company, Engr. Michael Agbogo explained that Nigeria has what it takes to be the leading potato producer in Africa ahead of Egypt, who is currently the largest potato producing country in Africa.

Agbogo lamented the country’s over-dependence on oil stressing that “the need for food overrides the need for energy; we need to diversify our economy and get serious with agriculture because as the population of the World increases, food and water would become scarce.”

He noted that security of lives and properties as well as cheap, available and sustainable food supply are critical components to having a better World.

Sokoto State Procures N1.2bn Fertiliser

Sokoto State Government said it has procured more than 9, 000 metric tonnes of assorted fertilisers worth N1.2 billion for distribution to farmers for 2015 farming season.

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, who disclosed this at a meeting with members of commodity associations in Sokoto on Sunday, said that the fertiliser comprises of NPK and Urea.

The governor also promised that the state government would continue to provide adequate subsidised fertiliser and other agricultural inputs to farmers in the state.

”This is considering its importance in the agricultural value-chain,” he said.

Tambuwal expressed the determination of his administration to boost food production, increase farmers’ income and ultimately improve on the quality of farm yield from the state.

According to the governor, the ultimate goal is to stimulate economic growth and ensure reduction in poverty level among farmers and rural populace.

”All over the world, governments come in to assist farmers with various subsidies, as such Sokoto Government will not allow market forces to determine price of such an important commodity (fertiliser).

“In that regard, the state government has procured about 9, 000 metric tonnes of assorted fertilisers which comprise NPK and Urea at the cost of N1.2 billion for distribution to farmers for this year’s farming season,” he said.

Tambuwal said that the NPK would be sold at a subsidised rate of N1,700 while Urea is to cost N1,800 per bag.

He said this year’s supply had doubled the amount given to the state last year.

The governor urged the people, especially the youth, to avail themselves of those opportunities available in the state and embrace farming. (NAN)

FADU Charges Cocoa Farmers on Increased Yield

Cocoa

Farmers’ Development Union (FADU) has advised Cocoa farmers in Ondo State to allow all the training and techniques acquired reflect in their production output.

The programme coordinator of the union, Victor Olowe stated this at the Annual Farmers’ Day celebration held in Akure, the State Capital.

In justifying the training received, he charged farmers to strive towards surpassing their 250kg per hectare to 1000kg per hectare of cocoa harvest.

He explained that the social lives of the farmers will improve when their income is enhanced, adding that this can only be achieved if the output of the produce increases.

“It is our desire to see you live good and fulfilled lives like other professionals and business men in the country” Olowe said.

The Programme Coordinator of the Union, commended the Federal Government over its various intervention activities geared towards ensuring production of good quality and certified cocoa to meet the global growing demand.

He therefore appealed to cocoa farmers to cooperate with government, in order to actualize the 1000kg per hectare target before the end of the year.

According to him, the overall objectives of the project is to create a growing, sustainable and efficient value chain for certified cocoa, thereby improving economic, social and environmental conditions of the Nigerian cocoa farmers in Ondo and Osun State.

“The project came up as a result of poor handing of Cocoa production in Nigeria. You will recall that Nigeria before now was the leading producer of cocoa in the World but today all our neighbors in the West Africa Sub-region have exceeded our production level” Olowe noted.

Don clamours for Relief Package for Livestock Industry

Livestock

Federal Government of Nigeria has been called to increase financial support package for the livestock industry in the country in order to save it from critical situation and imminent bankruptcy.

Making this call during a chat with AgroNigeria, a former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abiodun Adeloye observed that cost of animal feed has risen relentlessly while demand for poultry products has slowed down, which is now forcing many farmers to leave the industry in droves.

While urging the government to help struggling farmers cope with disease outbreaks, falling prices and lack of resources, he pointed out that livestock producers were feeling the pinch of prices of corn, soybeans and other livestock feed that increases on a daily basis, with severe losses which has never being experienced in the sector, staring them in the face.

“There is need for tripartite links between livestock farmers, feed suppliers and banks to help the livestock sector solve long lasting problems such as increased input costs, unstable prices and outlet for their products.

“The livestock sector, mostly consisting of small-scale house hold farming, out dated techniques and a shortage of investment for farming, has been experiencing a difficult time, as farmers struggle to access loans and could not conform to environmental protection regulations”  he said.

Proffering solutions, Adeloye advised financial institution to offer farmers loans with preferential interest rates, considering their strategic importance to the economy coupled with the fact that today, increased in our population growth does not commensurate with food production.

The Digital Farmer

The Digital Farmer

I walked into his Uyo office, on a warm Tuesday afternoon, a little ahead of schedule to keep an appointment for a chat to know him better. A sonorous and resonant voice of a radio presenter, full of energy and passion filled the office and captured my attention:‘’…a training will be given to some on farm … management solutions. So we will turn out farm…solution specialists. We have soft wares and security solutions that can manage farms and change agriculture into an enviable venture…. This is E-Commerce Crew on Planet Radio 101.1 fm Uyo; my name is Nsikak Usoro’’. My host, Mr Nsikak Usoro, who is in his late thirties was live on air training Nigerian youths and the general public on the new focus that is taking agriculture to an enviable height – digital agriculture.

Who is Nsikak Usoro?
Mr Nsikak Usoro is a young successful agricultural entrepreneur, a computer scientist, a graduate of the University of Calabar, an e-commerce consultant, a radio programme presenter, a born horticulturist; an indigene of Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He is the state facilitator of Dream to Destination Project and has a training outfit, Untteligs Nigeria Enterprise which focuses on Information technology training, enterprise education, and Farms. The enterprise with a farm of its own, is involved both in actual agricultural production and in training.

Involvement in Commercial Agriculture
Mr Nsikak Usoro is a born horticulturist who embraced flower propagation from childhood. However, his entry into commercial agriculture took place a few years back when he came back to the state in response to a call by the state government for computer scientists to come home and support an IT project aimed at linking the thirty-one(31) local government areas of Akwa Ibom State to the web.

He came back for IT services but picked interest in commercial fishery and pepper cultivation at the end of his participation in Integrated Farmers’ Scheme of the Akwa Ibom State government, Batch 6. He has participated in and benefitted from a number of agro training programmes since then and these include National Directorate of Employment (NDE) training, 300 Unemployed Graduates Training by Mobil Producing Nigeria, and also had hands-on experience in the University of Uyo Farms. He is the proud owner of Untteligs farm which focuses on fishery and fish processing.

Enthusiastic Agricultural Entrepreneur
High and self-sustaining returns brought about by the application of new technology in agriculture keeps him fulfilled, optimistic and excited about agriculture. Before the last administration in the state, most Akwa Ibomites viewed agriculture as the vocation of the underprivileged and untaught but now, according to Mr Usoro, there has been a re-orientation. The immediate past government coined the expression ‘Digital Farmers’, a legacy to the nation, and drummed it into the citizens of the state that where there is a change of attitude, many things change and one consequently, can change the nation.

Even as change of attitude is needed in the fight against corruption in the country, same is needed in agriculture. There must be a complete paradigm shift from traditional agricultural practices and mentality to technologically driven agriculture in all areas of farming – production, processing, marketing, and utilization.

For every agricultural activity, there is a better way that eliminates drudgery and a digital farmer, instead of abhorring farming explores such opportunity through mechanization, use of improved seeds, fertilizer application, and efficient farm management.

Dream to Destination Project, great Opportunity for Nigerian Youths
Nigerians have dreams but most business dreams simply end up in the cooler -unfulfilled. Dream to Destination Project International is an initiative, a non-governmental intervention working with entrepreneurs to ensure that their business dreams come to reality. They offer trainings on Enterprise Education in Agriculture, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agriculture, Mentorship and the Development of Entrepreneurs, Business Plan Writing among others.

They also provide information on current sources of funds for agribusiness and in partnership with Aquila-Track Nigeria are providing soft wares on farm management solutions to graduates and young school leavers. This is a new technology coming into the country which will enhance farm management consultancy services.

Technology increases agricultural output on a geometric progression and consequently guarantees upsurge in marginal profit and returns on agro investment. Discover and embrace new technological approach to agriculture and become a part of Nigerian youths who have realized that agriculture can be both exciting and lucrative. Be a farmer, be digital!

Data-Driven Agriculture: Key to Youth Involvement in Agric

Youth Involvement in Agric

New Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are driving change in agriculture by providing farm related data and information to help producers and farmers increase yields and improve income, but the absence of infrastructure and low level of literacy is hampering the deployment of such technologies across the agric value chain.

ICTs, such as mobile phones, satellite data, among others – are transforming agriculture. With gadgets, such as mobile phone, computers and others, farmers receive data on crop prices and market information. They also enjoy stable year-round prices, while eliminating middlemen and lowering transaction costs.

The Chief Executive Officer, Hastom Global Services Limited, Mr Debo Thomas, is one farmer who is benefiting from accessing data online.

He is into cashew and plantain farming in Ogbomosho, Oyo State. Thomas accesses data on commodity prices, and other agricultural services through his smart phone and tablet. For him, Information and Communication matter in agriculture for those growing crops, raising livestock, or fish farming. This is because farmers seek information from one another and from other stakeholders across the value chain.

Apart from personal contacts, Thomas has used his phone to seek information on the most effective planting strategy, where he can get improved seedlings and feeds, and how he can acquire farmland. With data gleaned from his phone or laptop, he is on top of the situation as up dated agric information helps him to cope with market changes.

He believes that provision of agricultural services through ICTs could be a game changer that will attract young people to farming. He explained that having better market information would help young farmers to decide what to plant and where best to sell it. While the government may not be able to attract everybody to farming, he noted that youths who decide to go into farming can serve as good ambassadors for farming, aided by the increased use of ICT that creates a more favorable image of farming activities.

Thomas, however, lamented that farmers in the rural areas are cut off because of no internet connection. For him, lack of connectivity means that they may be unable to market their products sufficiently or access market data or agricultural research provided through online and telecommunications platforms.

He is of the opinion that farming policies should be part of a wider agenda for rural development by creating an enabling social environment with services to make rural areas good places to live in. Thomas said agricultural technologies and innovations are important for rural development and food/nutrition security.

Besides, the sector needs better policies to attract young people to stay in the rural areas, in addition to providing better infrastructure and internet. The CEO sees data driven agriculture as vital for youth employment and food security, noting that once farmers have the information they need to improve their productivity, access to financial transactions, they will be able to make much money from farming ventures.

He also noted that lack of adequate data in agriculture would hinder foreign direct investment and the government’s   efforts to reform the sector. To them, quality data yield not only has sectoral benefits, but also real economic returns.

Thomas therefore urged the government to promote suitable agricultural technologies that can be used by farmers and agro-entrepreneurs to boost food production and development.  From mobile technologies that easily connect markets to agricultural products, to identifying agricultural value chains, the stakeholder believes that the agriculture sector must of a necessity identify ways   of scaling up existing technologies to connect farmers to opportunities and investors.

FG Urged To Build Cocoa Industries

cocoa

The Federal Government has been urged to build cocoa factories to address youth unemployment and food security in the country.

The Operating Officer (COO), Centre for Cocoa Development Initiative, Inc, Robo Adhuze, gave the urge recently at the Just-International Cocoa Conference in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.
He said establishing new cocoa processing industries and revamping others would increase economic opportunities through sustainable and competitive cocoa production, marketing and agro-enterprise development.

Adhuze  lamented  that cocoa processing has declined substantially, appealing to the government to breathe a new life into the industry by making dedicated attempts to revitalize the processing segment through financial support to  ailing businesses.

He called on the government to create the foundation for a modern, viable cocoa industry that will flourish and attract new investors, enhance rural livelihoods and encourage self-employment, and maximize the country’s opportunity to receive a premium price for the product in the World market.

The COO urged the government to take steps to boost cocoa production by supporting farms to move from traditional crop growing agriculture to agro-processing.

He added that the level of public sector investment was low, reflecting that the government is not committed to boosting cocoa production.

Adhuze, therefore urged the government to support farmers, by providing more access to extension services and training in best practices, adding that it would have an impact on the domestic cocoa industry.

According to the President of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Organisers of the event, Sayina Riman, the conference was convened to help critical stakeholders in the industry discuss price risk management project, which had over the years critically impacted against smallholder farmers and other developing economies globally.

Executive Director, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Prof. Malachy Akoroda, said cocoa had great economic potential for the country given the high demand for it around the world.

“Cocoa is number one non-oil export earner for Nigeria even when it is not enjoying desired state support, push and encouragement for local farmers. The product has great hope. There are great demands for cocoa bye products in Western and Eastern countries but capacity to supply is limited,” he said.

Akoroda noted that the quality of cocoa produced in Nigeria, is the best globally because of the high-breed species.

He said it had been impossible for farmers to plant, nurture and have high-yield specie in six months, adding that even in 18 months, there could be unimaginable and bounty harvest compared to what can be obtainable with old species.

“Anyone can plan this specie and make real good profit, so say, in five years, it is possible for the farmer to make as much as N15 million in profit”, the expert said.

He, however, lamented that pricing had been the major challenge because of factors such as fertiliser, transportation and politics, in the World market.

Riman said cocoa business could change the economic fortunes of Nigeria, adding that it is more sustainable than oil because there is possibility that oil can dry up but cocoa will not.

BOARBI: IFAD/FG Partner for Financial Inclusion

From Left: Executive Directors, Bank of Agriculture Ltd (BOA), Muhammad Adamu; Babatunde Igun, and IFAD Country Programme Manager, Atsuko Toda

 

Determined to expand the scope of Nigeria’s financial inclusion, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is collaborating with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Ltd to implement the Bank of Agriculture Rural Business Initiative (BOARBI).

The Initiative seeks to strengthen Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) and other member-based Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) in such a way as to enhance access of the rural population to the financial services of these institutions in order to expand and improve agricultural productivity and Macro-Small Rural Enterprises (MSREs).

Given its mandate, IFAD had instituted the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) with a loan agreement of US$27.2 million between it and the Federal Government in order to alleviate poverty with a particular focus on rural poor, especially women, the youth, and the physically disadvantaged.

Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna during the stakeholders meeting, the Executive Director of BOA, Mr Babatunde Igun said “as part of ways of enhancing our resources, we partner with various organisations, government and international institutions. We are here today to witness a top level discussion between us and one of our partners – IFAD under a programme called Rural Business Initiative (RBI) which is anchored by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank of Nigeria. BOA is one of the key institutions providing the basics for the implementation of this project. Currently we have BOARBI and we are putting plans in place which will enable us reach the poorest of the poor in the rural areas.

“The general impression in Nigeria or anywhere is that the rural dwellers are poor – the rural poor and the urban poor.  This programme is to introduce the poorest of the poor to access micro-credit with some as low as five thousand naira to ten thousand naira with which they can do businesses as this will help to deepen financial inclusion which is one of the programmes of the Federal Government.

The programme is being implemented alongside three participating institutions namely: the Bank of Agriculture (B0A) Ltd, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Federal Department of Cooperatives (FDC),” Igun said. “We use peer pressure that is why we are encouraging them to be in groups.” On the interest rate, he said “interest rate is just about 2.5 percent and the loan is collateral free.”

According to IFAD Country Programme Manager for RUFIN, Atsuko Toda, BOA has its usual lending operation in the rural areas. “BOARBI is a special initiative where we promote a much more interactive interface with the rural population. We will have smaller loans as entry level and we will work with groups ensuring we closely monitor repayment. The whole idea is to build the trust between the BOA and its clients in the rural areas through the Rural Business Initiative.

“Our projection is that if we can establish a relationship with trust, using the rural business plan we can extend financial services through the rural area, as financial inclusion in rural area is still a massive challenge. There are 40 million people who are bankable at the moment and currently the bank of agriculture has 350,000 clients in the rural area, which is just a drop in the water. We believe that the bank of agriculture can play a much larger role to reach out to this rural population,” Toda said.

It is important to stress here that the objective of the programme is to develop and strengthen member-based MFIs and establish linkages between them and the other formal financial institutions in order to expand and improve agricultural productivity and boost micro/small rural enterprises.

It is estimated that about 345, 00 households of which at least 138, 000 (40 %) will be households with a woman as head will benefit directly from the programme. These families include smallholder farms and rural entrepreneurs such as farmers, craftsmen and petty traders, women, the physically challenged and the youth.

The programme covers 12 states which include: Adamawa, Bauchi, Kastina, Zamfara, Benue, Nasarawa, Lagos, Oyo, Anambra, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Edo.