Rice self-sufficiency strategic to Africa’s development

FAO

Self-sufficiency in rice for Africa will be strategic and consequential, not just in terms of meeting consumption requirements locally, but also through its multiplier effects.

CBN’s anchor borrower programme, just a gimmick, say Ijewere, others

NABG Representative, Dr. Emanuel Ijewere

A strong voice in Nigerian Agriculture Business Group (NABG), Dr. Emanuel Ijewere has described the Central Bank of Nigeria Incentive- Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) as not matched words with action just as many have alleged it of fake inputs being given to farmers and a state in North Central has signified non-continuity with the programme and eruption of crisis in Ogun state.

Editorial- Tackling post harvest losses

post harvest losses

That Nigeria is losing ten billion naira to post harvest damages alone in this dispensation of economy diversification should be a thing of concern to all and sundry.

Castor seeds import: Stakeholders protest ‘Raw Materials’ breach of protocol

Cross section

Two research institutes and other stakeholders have protested the breach of protocol on the importation of castor seeds into the country by the Raw Materials Research & Development Council (RMRDC), and this has led to the setup of a committee to harmonize all the differing observations. All these happened at the recently-held presentation ceremony of hybrid castor seeds to farmers from Kebbi state, in Abuja.

Bt cotton: Premier seeds yet to take multiplication decision

The Managing Director (MD) Premier Seeds of Nigeria, Prof. A.A Ogungbile in red cap

The Managing Director (MD) Premier Seeds of Nigeria, Prof. A.A Ogungbile has said his organization would tread on the path of market availability before the company would fully engage in the commercial multiplication of the newly released Biotechnology genetically modified cotton (Bt cotton) for the farmers.

Seed Council bags BPSR Silver certificate management, governance practice

Dr. Philip Olusegun Ojo, Director General, National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), ...

The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) has bagged the Silver Level certificate in management and governance practice administered by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).

Agric Ministry,bank set up fund for rice producers

*Ogbeh promises to organize rice fair

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Bank of Agriculture have set up a fund which they intend to manage to support farmers, millers and marketers to bring down the price of rice. This information was made available by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh during a meeting he had with rice farmers, millers and processors in Abuja.

Organic foods:Stakeholders urge govts to create jobs, others

Group picture of stakeholders during the 2018 National Organic Agriculture Business Summit held in Lagos

The various governments in Nigeria have been urged to pursue the commitment to create the 700,000 jobs in the agricultural sector using the organic sub-sector and to take advantage of several market opportunities worth 90 billion dollars for organic produce and products outside Nigeria.

FACAN boss advocates Agric Bank’s recapitalization

*Adewunmi, Cassava Commodity president canvasses use of land as collateral.

FACAN), President in Middle, Dr. Victor Iyama & the President of Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria, in white native Pastor Segun Adewunmi during the AGRIKEXPO and Agro food held in Abuja

The National President, Federation of Commodities Agriculture Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama has resounded that the recapitalization of Bank of Agriculture (BOA) would put an end to challenges facing the financing of farmers in Nigeria while the President of Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria, Pastor Segun Adewunmi canvassed for the use of land as collateral for loan with and other properties for commercial banks for effective agricultural business.

AIMS: Inputs scheme announcement premature, say stakeholders

·    *Farmers fault GESS’ replacement.

Agricultural Input Mechanization Scheme

The announcement of the Federal Government Agricultural Inputs Mechanization Scheme (AIMS)made earlier by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has been described by the stakeholders as premature and just a mere show off when actually nothing has been put in place to justify its publicity, just as many farmers have expressed their disapproval on the replacement of Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) of inputs-distribution-through-electronic-wallet scheme with a new one.