Editorial Fighting aflatoxin for a better market

The recently organized workshop by the USAID- ICRISAT for media men at Kano towards up scaling the production of groundnut commercially in the country ended with great concern for a pragmatic policy that will ensure more better agricultural produce for National and International consumptions as challenges of a fungi disease called aflatoxin infection on both human and animals can be so colossal if preventive measured are not encouraged.
 

As the groundnut up scaling is about to commence in some states of the Federation, Nigeria may stand to regain back her position in the world market when she used to be the largest exporter over America untill the position was lost due to neglect and policy summersault as there is need for standard production against any fungi diseases occasioned by mould that can short- change the market potential.

The incorrigible attitude of our local farmers to new method techniques of production is also a great challenge to fighting this fungi mould disease that would have been better addressed through effective extension officers which funding has been made moribund in many states of the federation which is a great challenge to agricultural development.

Media men were educated about the causes of aflatoxin as result of fungi infection disease on crops occasioned by moulds infections right from harvesting and post harvesting to further processing of drying in a local way which may not be too effective for dryness of all the nuts according to Prof. Olufunmilola Alabi of the Institute for Agriculture (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria who argued that the adverse impact of consuming a non healthy nuts could result to many diseases in both humans and animals that can get contaminated through livestock feeds emphasizing the need to educate our feeds producers just as farmers should be watchful of what they give to their animals. Why this issue of aflatoxin bothers mind is the inability to be easily identify with naked eyes according to scientists who stated that the good news is that it could be prevented through many ways that need to be well backed with government political will at all levels for the benefit of market acceptability and food safety in the country.

Another thing that is worrisome and worthy of asking is what the government has been doing to put in place a very stable preventive measure towards checkmating this infectious disease based on her awareness of this aflatoxicosis disease outbreak since 1961 at United Kingdom leading to enormous economic loss in poultry. We are aware that the Federal Government by then set up a screening exercise in order to protect the groundnut market interest then which must be ascertained whether the measure is still there or not since the collapse of pyramid days. 

The increasing population of Nigeria demands for more food production of which ground nut produce is very strategic based on its derivates in terms of vegetable oil and cake for home consumptions cum animals’ feeds cannot be overemphasized for its needs for standard production, processing and marketing through aflatoxin free diseases. 

In the present spirited effort of this present administration of President Mohammadu Buhari to diversify the economy from the oil sector to the real economy, it will not be also out of place to ensure the standard production of agricultural produce in the face of international markets’ rejection of our crops produce in order to achieve the repositioning of the country’s economy with respect to giving prevention of  aflatoxin and any other fungi associated diseases is functional policy through a proactive preventive measure of science measurement being put in place right from land preparation to harvesting, post harvesting and marketing for a food safety and secured nation. And this measurement must be well politically supported at all level of governments as farmers must be enlightened in this regards for the benefit of their produce’ premium.

FAO backs AFRONET on food security - Osun state promises NOAN land

Group picture at the 3rd AfroNet

In her bit to ensure absolute food security for the Black continent in the next two decades, the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has supported the call made by African Organic Network (AFRONET) on member countries to embrace the use of naturally made manure to growing crops as a policy programme that would enhance premium of produce in the world markets just as the Osun state Governor, Ogbeni, Raul Aregbesola has promised the Nigeria Organic Agriculture of Nigeria (NOAN) a landed property for the purpose of healthy crops and animal production for the citizens. 

This FAO and Osun state government’s supports  for African naturally produces foods cannot be better than now as most countries of the world are now clamoring for food safety in terms of organically produced crops and animals thereby making higher demand for such commercial production coupled the ecological advantages of member countries having comparative advantages of growing crops without any inorganic fertilizers. 

The FAO is lending her weight behind the calling for national policy on organic agricultural practice made by AFRONET on the need for African countries to initiate a frame work that would mainstream a practice of applying organically produced manuals that will enhance quality and safety of food production thereby protecting the health of people and maintaining a clean environment. 

AFRONT has made this summation at a recently concluded world conference hosted at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos tilled “ Achieving social and economic development through ecological and organic agricultural alternatives by NOAN as the President,  Mr Jordan Gama, opened the five-day ``Third African Organic Conference’’ with his remark advocating that governments of African countries should show serious commitment towards popularizing the organic agricultural practice to enhance healthy and improved food production. 

 Mr. Morgan added that it was very imperative for policy makers at the conference to uphold the sensitizing of the continent on the need to embrace organic agricultural practice with farmers taking advantages of the premium produce crops to make more money based on high demand markets saying the presence of key African representative at the conference was a blessing to the continent. 

Speaking in affiliation to the use of organic agricultural practice to enhance food security in the continent, the FAO representative Ms. Allison Loconto who commended the effort of Nigeria towards revolutionizing agricultural sector to enhancing food security said that “The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Friday pledged continued supports to African countries in creating economically and efficient food system through ecological organic agriculture” Commenting further on Nigerian agricultural activities, Ms Loconto of FAO said that “one of the research projects the FAO has been working on in Nigeria is in collaboration with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

We have been looking at the community based farming system programme which is on organic agriculture. The project involves developing organic agriculture curriculum which is being integrated into the system for bachelor’s degree.Both students and lecturers under the project have been working with small farm communities around the university to do farm experimentation and to engage the communities in the organic practices. From the point of view of FAO, the investment in research and participatory training can help to build the agriculture sector”.

 She stated further that “FAO member states have been requesting the UN organization (FAO) to provide them with technical assistance and to invest in organic agriculture. There are some member states, which have been making commitments to this efforts and FAO has been supporting them in this. In Latin America and Africa, there have been requests for supports and this is why FAO is holding this International symposium, in order to play up organic agriculture on agenda. This type of awareness among UN member countries are necessary to sensitize the governments particularly in Africa, so that they can become aware of the potentials of organic agriculture in tackling problem of food shortage’’.

 FAO is looking at agricology and ecological agriculture as one of the ways to reduce the negative environmental impact and the pressure on the environment. We are working towards creating socially sound and economically sound efficient food systems by supporting the ecological organic agriculture. Agricology and ecologically organic agriculture practice is currently being focused” said she. 

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state who was represented by Dr Adeleke Ipaye, the  Commissioner for Local Government expressed willingness of the governor’s administration to partner with the NOAN pointed that his boss has realized the potential of organic agriculture in the  improvement of  living standard through production of healthy and nutritional food for the population as “the governor also pledged to give landed property to NOAN in the state, free of charge for the organic agriculture practice” 

Others who spoke on the occasion includes ,Dr Henrique Pacini, an official of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), during an interview with food farm news said that dealing in organic agricultural products could increase income of rural communities saying that his organization has been working in developing organic market since 2004 for healthy nutrition and lifestyle. 

Mr Musa Muwanga, Chief Executive Officer, National Organic Agriculture Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU), said that agriculture was the backbone of most African countries saying "Agriculture is the primary activity of more than 60 per cent of the population in Africa accounting for more than 30 per cent of the GDP in many sub-Sahara countries. Agriculture's ability to generate income for the poor, particularly women, is more important for food security than the ability to increase local food supplies," 

Miss Kate Kibara, the Chief Executive Officer of Kates Organic Limited, Kenya, however urged the Nigerian government to harness the potential in the ecological organic agriculture to encourage youths into skill acquisitions saying that over 40% of the Africa’s population is made up of youth who are mostly unemployed thereby resulting to escalating social challenges and problems. 

Kibara, however, observed that challenges such as lack of capital, access to land, lack of business opportunities and limited capacity and experience had hindered youths desiring to engage in agriculture as a means of livelihood. 

The meeting which attracted over 220 participants, including farmers from various countries of the African continent ran for 5^- 9 October with the following recommendations to all members and donor partners

*Endorse and support the implementation of the African EOA Strategic Plan *Mainstream EOA in their policies, investment plans and programmes, based on the local needs in consultation with the ecological organic agriculture stakeholders and other like-minded organizations in their countries

*Allocate at least 1.0% of the 10% total public expenditure to agriculture for the implementation of the African EOA Strategic Plan.

*Develop seed systems and training programs for women the youth and other stakeholders to generate planting material resources and breeds of livestock to promote ecological organic agriculture.

*Document and recognize the role of women and youth and to include the contribution household food security towards GDP.

*Domesticate the African model Law for the protection of the rights of local communities, farmers and breeders, and for the regulation of access to biological resources

*Take steps to remove trade barriers within and across borders in order to deepen access to national, regional and global markets and expand their market share

*Africa’s development partners and donors to increase support to the AU led Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative, including the expansion of the Initiative to other African countries beyond the eight countries being supported.

*All African stakeholders and development partners to engage in and support NOARA’s research agenda which is to support the scientific, innovative and traditional knowledge dimensions of ecological organic agriculture.

*FARA to partner with NOARA in identifying and addressing major research priorities that will help make ecological organic agriculture more productive, profitable and sustainable.

*National, regional and international organizations committed to supporting healthy and productive food and agriculture systems to continue and step up their efforts to sensitize the society about the multiple benefits of ecological organic agriculture.

*Ecological organic agriculture actors at the country level to liaise and work with the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Country teams to mainstream EOA in the CAADP investment plans.

UAM develops high yielding and early maturing cowpea, farmers count blessings

Dr. Lucky O. Omoigui

The University of Agriculture, Makurdi has successfully researched an early maturing and high yielding cowpea cultivars as farmers in the state have given positive testimony to the new improved technology through increased productivity.

Food farm news authoritatively gathered that the University of Agriculture, Makurdi scientists have developed high yielding cowpea cultivars that are early maturing (about 65 days) and medium maturing (about 75 days) and have consumer preferred traits such as seeds size, seed coat texture and colour.

Speaking to food-farm news, Dr. Lucky O. Omoigui, Plant Breeder/Molecular Geneticist University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria, explained that the development was fast-tracked using molecular tools.

Dr. Omoigui described the UAM developed cowpea as absolute resistant to two parasitic weeds (Striga and Alectra Spp.) and other major diseases and pests.

He added that the developed cowpeas are well adapted to sole or intercropping especially in the dry savannas of Nigeria where Striga and Alectra are the major production constraints.

Following this development of the cowpea cultivars which hitherto was only cultivated and grown in the Northern parts of Nigeria, Dr. Omoigui expressed delight at the high yields of these cultivars now which ranged from 1.9 tons to 2.4 per ha, pointing out the successes recorded extensively in Benue and Jigawa States where farmers adopted the newly developed varieties for cultivation.

Cowpea Farmer on the farm

The University DON disclosed that the seed delivery component of the TL3 project is being piloted in five Local Government Areas of Benue State namely: Buruku, Makurdi, Guma and Gboko.

According to Dr. Omoigui, the project is a partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundations and it is aimed at bringing about significant increases in yield of cowpea of different classes among farmers, promote and strengthen seed/input marketer through linkages to private seed companies, create awareness to popularize the improved stress-resistant cowpea cultivars and capacity building of the various actor in the cowpea value chain. Consequently, there is a fast growing populating among Benue Farmers in the cultivation and growth of cowpea in the state.

When Food-Farm News visited a number of Farming communities in Makurdi and Guma Local Government Areas, it was an expression of Joy and satisfaction by the farmers.

At Ucha Community in Makurdi Local Government Area, Mrs. Veronica Iorshav, TerunduTerfa and Mr. Kor Aga James who were met working on their Farms respectively, professed that the introduction of cowpea and improved soybeans have reduced poverty among the farmers. The Farmers eulogized the enormous benefits of cowpea farming to include finance and consumption of the beans by cake-baking, moi-moi, porridge and ordinary cooking with just a little salt and oil makes a meal.

The farmers also commended the high yields of the newly developed variety which can be planted three times in a season.

Food-Farm News also visited Ortese Community in Guma Local Government Area where community based organization farmers was working on a model farm. The farmers are taught on how to plant, apply fertilizers and pesticides.

Dr. Lucky Omoigui who took Food-farm news on the tour explained that the import was to contract growers to seed companies for distribution to member farmers.

Dr. Omoigui however lamented the lack of farm equipment such as tractors and other farm implements for hiring as a real obstacle faced by farmers towards expanding their production. He was collaborated by a cross section of farmers spoken to who posited that manual labour farming using hoes and cutlasses do not allow the crops to grow at once since land cannot be cleared and ploughed simultaneously. They also stressed that manual farming limit them to what their strength can carryout.

Mrs. Joyce Nyiev and her husband Mr. Patrick Nyiev who were caught on their Farms in Guma Local Government called on the Government of the day to provide farmers with modern farming imputs like Tractors, Sprayers and employ Agricultural extension workers to assist the farmers who are ready to boost food production and increase their economic status.

The UAM have in addition established a pilot learning farm at NYSC farm along Makurdi – Lafia Road in Guma Local Government. Over 30 farmers are contracted to work on the farm where 5 varieties of cowpea are planted. The farm provides a basket of options where farmers are expected to learn and adopt the best out of the five varieties. On this farm, techniques of fertilizer application, spraying, property weeding and good crop management, spraying regime when to spray and how to spray are being demonstrated for farmers to acquire.

The farm is established as a foundation of seeds for distribution to farmers. Over 30 laborers work on the farm where not first employment is offered but farming techniques imparted as well.

The farm is a UAM – IITA partnership collaborative project Tropical Legume 3 (TL3) and is funded by Bill and Melinda Gate foundation.

About 115 – 120 cowpea farmers have benefited this year across Makurdi, Guma, Buruku, Gboko and parts of Ukum LGAs of Benue State.        

BOA advocates e-credit for farmers

Prof Danbala Danju Md/CEO Bank of Agriculture

Agent and ATM networks, mobile phone banking, and the debit cards can all be used to reduce the costs of lending to rural and agricultural clients, while making it easier for rural farmers to access financial services.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Agriculture, Danbala Danja made this assertion in his presentation on the topic: Optimizing the financial support for Agriculture and Agro-business in Nigeria Availability, Accessibility and Limitations.

Danbala Danja who spoke at the sensitization programme on ECOWAS Trade Liberalization scheme held at Royal Choice Inn Makurdi, Benue State, further argued that the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) where farmers were provided inputs like seedlings, fertilizers and chemicals was a bold step in the right direction. 

He lamented on the fall in budgetary allocations to the agricultural sector from 1.7% in 2013 to 1.44% in 2014 and to 0.9% in 2015 which are against 10% of the total annual budget of a member country in which Nigeria is a signatory at the Maputo declaration which according to him is unacceptable.

The MD/CEO Bank of Agriculture observed that the agricultural policies of ECOWAS countries are more competitive than complimentary stressing those countries of the community export the same primary produce including livestock on hoofs, meat, fish nuts and cereals.

There are specific areas where Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries stand to benefit by the harmonization of their agricultural policies, he said. One such area according to Bala Danja is in the development of the large river valleys such as those of Nigeria and the Chad Basin, adding that the harmonization of processing and distribution of livestock products would also help reduce the price disparities prevailing between the countries of the sub-region.

Speaking on the Nomads who control the bulk of the cattle in West Africa, moving freely across National Boundaries in search of food and water, he suggested a possible solution would be the establishment of common grazing reserves which cut across national frontiers at a cost to be borne by ECOWAS.

Danbala Danja who was represented by the Manager, Bank of Agricultural Makurdi Benue State Mr. G. T. Asema, noted that 70% of the country’s poor lives in rural areas and directly or indirectly depend on agriculture as their main source of income and employment.

Despite their socioeconomic importance, smallholders tend to have little or no access to formal credit, which limits their capacity to invest in the technologies and inputs they need to increase their yields and incomes and reduce hunger and poverty, both their own and that of others, he stated. 

He posited that funds should be deployed in consonance with appropriate commodity value chains so that optimum satisfaction can be derived by creditors and agro entrepreneurs alike.

Welcoming participants Amb. Bulus Z. Lolo Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs stated that the workshop was aimed at assessing Nigeria’s participation and involvement in the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme, targeted at appraising the challenges being encountered by the Nigeria Business Community in the course of the implantation scheme.

The scheme is thereby programmed to promoting intra-community goods by ensuring removal of import duties and prohibitions/restrictions on goods originating or produced in any of the member states.

Ambassador Bulus lolo, Permanent Secretary Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, who spoke at Royal Choice Inn, Makurdi noted that challenges like bureaucratic bottlenecks and relative low awareness among the Nigerian Business Community in the bountiful opportunities inherent in the scheme and how to tap into it are further worsened by the negative consequences associated with smuggling of goods made outside the West African sub-region.

He challenged the region’s young entrepreneurs, whose enterprises are being nurtured to become the backbone of Nigeria’s industrial and private sector growth and need to be fully abreast with the opportunities available in the scheme, among other ECOWAS programmes.

The Under Secretary African Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amb. Godwin Agamah, had on the occasion enjoined participants to assist in ensuring that member states comply with the provisions of ETLS especially on the issue of Rules of Origin.                                  

He pointed out that the sub-regional body is a huge market that is vital to our national and sub-regional development.

Amb. Agamah urged members of the region to desist from allowing companies to hide under ETLS to sell products that are manufactures in third countries, but rather fast-track the completion of sub-regional infrastructure especially in the transportation sector so as to boost the scheme.