Akwa Ibom to launch Agriculture Master Plan

Udom Gabriel Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom State government has said it would soon commence an agro-based master plan in rural communities aimed at diversifying its economy from oil dependency.

FG to train youths, women on aquaculture – Minister

Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, says the Federal Government will set up training centres across the country to train women and youths on aquaculture.

Economic diversification: Bayelsa commercialises palm estate

palm estate

The Bayelsa State Government has confirmed its decision to partner with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Manufacturing and Marketing Company of Nigeria Limited (MAMCON) over the cultivation of rice farms and commercialization of the state’s palm estate.

Sokoto, Morocco collaborate on solar energy, fertlizer

Governor Aminu Tambuwal

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, said on Monday that the state government would collaborate with the Kingdom of Morocco in the areas of solar energy and agriculture.

farmers/herdsmen crises: ortom, sultan express optimisim

cows

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has expressed hope that the lingering crises between farmers and herdsmen would end as soon as grazing is outlawed by the House of Assembly.

AGRICULTURE: A FORBIDDEN KINGDOM FOR NIGERIAN YOUTHS- By Kunle Oguntegbe

youths

Renowned Development Economist, Arthur Lewis once said, ‘if Agriculture remains stagnant, industries cannot grow’. For an agrarian economy with a total population of 183 Million, 70 percent of which are youth, isn’t it amazing to know that only 23 percent of the youth are involved in Agriculture? What an irony!
Prior to the discovery of oil in the 1950s, Nigeria used to be a top exporter of food and agro-allied products. However, due to the economic mismanagement, laziness on the part of the youth, relative neglect of agricultural resources as well as population upsurge amongst others, the country has lost her top position among agro-food exporting countries in the universe.

RUFIN: EMPOWERING RURAL FARMERS

Beneficiaries of RUFIN in Agbowa-Ikosi, Epe LG in a group photograph

 

The Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) is a loan agreement between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Agric, manufacturing sectors to enjoy single digit interest – CBN

farmers

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured that the manufacturing and agricultural sectors will enjoy single digit interest rates as it would fast track lending of a reserved special intervention fund earmarked for the sectors.

Fortified rice raises risk of hookworm infections

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  fortified rice

  Added nutrients may inadvertently help parasites grow
• Health benefits and risks must be weighed up for children
• Deworming could ensure fortified rice does not boost infections

Eating fortified rice increases the risk of hookworm infections, a study in Cambodian schoolchildren shows, suggesting that the rice’s added nutrients inadvertently help parasites grow.

Kenyan seed storage facility to bolster maize R&D

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  seed storage facility

  Insect pests and environmental stressors are negatively affecting maize farming
• A large facility for storing maize seeds has been launched to help smallholders
• An expert says farmers and researchers should collaborate to spur food security

A seed storage cold room facility to support maize research and improve livelihood of African smallholders has been launched.