South West Obas, others challenge Governors, money bags for non-research development

   Group Picture at IAR&T Cropping/REfILs group picture with traditional obas from Ibadan and Ile-Ife.

·         *Scientists decry poor OFAR, TRM performance, hail  Ekiti, Lagos, ask for funding

The just concluded 30^th annual event of South West, Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage System (REFILS) with the theme “ Diversification and Sustainability of Agricultural Production: the role of mechanization” that took place at Institute for Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan had in attendance royal fathers, farmers, scientists, researchers, academia and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) at the input value chains who all out-rightly frowned at the governors and rich people in the zone for not investing  in agricultural development with reference to research and technologies transfer that may result in shortages just as scientists have described the last and previous years (On- Farm Adaptive Research)  OFAR and (Technology Review Meetings) TRM at all the states in the region as being very poor with the exception of Lagos and Ekiti states.

China pledges 6.7billion dollars to Nigerian agriculture

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (R) With The Chinese Ambassador To Nigeria, Mr Gu Xiaojie

The People’s Republic of China through its office has restated its promise to help develop the Nigerian Agriculture. The commitment was made   during the recently held China-Nigeria Agricultural Modernization Cooperation Forum 2017, held in Abuja.

FG to establish Agro-Rangers against cattle rustlers

Chief Audu Ogbeh.

·       *FMARD set to deploy agric plantation

In combating insecurity as regards food production across the country, the Federal Government has disclosed that it intends to launch a new department called Agro-Rangers, to fight multiple taxation of food; farmers- herdsmen clashes and to put a stop to the activities of the cattle rustlers.

Press release- FG unveils strategy to tackle nutrition, boost economy- Lokpobiri

                  

The FG has reiterated its readiness to ensure a safe food for all and sundry in Nigeria including the unborn babies and their mothers while pregnant. This commitment was made by the Minister of State, Federal Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri during a high level Round table on Scaling up food system intervention for nutrition through public-private partnership in Abuja.

Rivers’ governor lauds Ogbeh for insulating agric from politics

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has lauded the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh for displaying maturity by ensuring that the issues of food production are insulated from politics. He said this in his welcome address at the 42^nd National Council on Agriculture meeting held at Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Starting a Cocoa Farm This Season

Cocoa

Cocoa, according to the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), was introduced by the Portuguese into the Gulf of Guinea from where it got to Nigeria around the last quarter of the 19th Century. The introduced variety was the Amelonado.

Rice Production in Nigeria Increases to 5.8 Million Tonnes

Rice

Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, President Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has said annual rice production in Nigeria has increased from 5.5 million tonnes in 2015 to 5.8 million tonnes in 2017.

Goronyo disclosed in Abuja.

Board Chairman Interview - Seychelles Fishing Authority Should Take Hard Decisions Quickly

Fishing Authority

With limited land resources, Seychelles is dependent on the ocean and for many years the fishery sector has been the 115-island archipelago's second-largest part of the economy, after tourism. As one of the key players in the sector, the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) plays an immense role in promoting sustainable and responsible fishing.

Boxes of Stolen Chicken Portions Stashed Under Bed, Couches in Cape Town

 Chicken

More than 100 boxes of stolen chicken portions were recovered just hours after being taken off a hijacked truck in Nyanga, police said on Wednesday.

Kenya Mulls Specialty Teas Auction At Coast

Tea

Kenya plans to open up a specialty and orthodox tea auction in Mombasa in a move expected to make the country the pioneer purple tea sales host.