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Tag: Agriculture

  • Delta Govt launches initiative to encourage civil servants in agriculture

    Delta Govt launches initiative to encourage civil servants in agriculture

    The Delta State Government has inaugurated a five-man committee to develop an Action Plan for implementing agricultural projects among civil servants.

    Inaugurating the committee on Wednesday in Asaba, the State Head of Service, Dr Mininim Oseji said it was necessary to constitute the committee to oversee and encourage civil servants to engage in agriculture.

    Oseji said the committee would find the best strategies to implement agricultural programmes that are in line with the ‘MORE Agenda’ of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.

    She emphasised that the aim of the committee is to oversee and encourage civil servants to engage in agriculture.

    The head of service explained that the committee is expected to  implement projects that promote agricultural development among civil servants.

    According to her,  the committee is also expected to identify challenges and find solutions to ensure project success.

    ”The committee is also expected to collaborate with relevant partners to leverage resources, expertise, and support as well as monitor and evaluating project progress, ” she added

    The members of the committee include, Mr Maxwell Ause, Permanent Secretary (HoS) as Chairman; Mr Kingsley Olumukoro, Permanent Secretary (Directorate of Establishment and Pensions); and Mrs Obianuju Osadebe, Permanent Secretary (Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources)

    Others are Mr Paul Okpue, Industrial Agriculturist and Chief Facilitator, while Mr Michael Okocha, Director of Training (Directorate of Establishment and Pensions) will serve as Secretary.

  • FG backs agricultural research reform

    FG backs agricultural research reform

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural research system through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).

    The fund plays an important role in addressing challenges within the sector and driving innovation for sustainable development.

    This was stated in a release signed by the Communications Lead of the fund, Nike Babalola, during the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

    The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, commended NADF for conducting a comprehensive Baseline Survey and Needs Assessment Study of 16 Agricultural Research Institutes and 17 Federal Colleges of Agriculture across the country.

    He emphasised that any country that fails to reform its research system is wasting its time.

    The minister stressed the need to prioritise continuous improvement in the nation’s agricultural research capabilities.

    He noted that the last comprehensive review of Nigeria’s agricultural research system was conducted during the tenure of President Shehu Shagari.

    The minister also commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the assessment, describing it as a step towards achieving world-class standards in agricultural research.

    The Executive Secretary of NADF, Muhammed Ibrahim, reaffirmed the fund’s mandate to address agricultural finance challenges and enhance Nigeria’s agricultural potential.

    “No nation has ever achieved greatness without investing in knowledge, discovery, and innovation.

    “The baseline survey provided critical insights into the state of Nigeria’s agricultural research and training institutions.

    “NADF was established to address agricultural finance challenges and enhance the potential of Nigeria’s agriculture and food systems, with the goal of promoting sustainable development and food security,” he stated.

    Ibrahim described the validation exercise as a defining moment for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

    “This is not just another meeting; it is an opportunity to lay the foundation for a stronger, more innovative agricultural sector. We believe in the power of research and education to transform our agricultural landscape.

    “This is a call to action to ignite change and create a future where Nigerian agriculture stands tall on the pillars of knowledge, technology, and innovation,” he said.

    The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Sharubutu, reaffirmed NADF’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural research system.

    “Today, we have a father and a mother who have come to deliver us from the shackles of inadequate facilities, infrastructure, and resources,” he said.

    The meeting brought together key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including government officials, researchers, and representatives from agricultural institutions.

    The validation exercise marked a step in addressing the challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural research system and aligning it with national and global priorities.

    The survey, conducted by NADF in collaboration with the ARCN aimed to identify strengths, gaps, opportunities, and constraints within the country’s agricultural research and training ecosystem.

    The key findings revuurgent areas for improvement, including infrastructure, funding, curriculum enhancement, research support, technological integration, and industry linkages.

  • Abdelrahman Amir: Bridging Cultures and Innovating Agriculture from BGI to Africa

    Abdelrahman Amir: Bridging Cultures and Innovating Agriculture from BGI to Africa

    In the rapidly evolving world of agriculture, young minds like Abdelrahman Amir are emerging, driven by a deep love for his homeland and a fierce commitment to his continent. With every step he takes, he is determined to turn this vision into reality, channeling his passion into the fields that sustain his culture, his region, and his continent.

    Abdelrahman Amir, a 22-year-old agriculture student from Alexandria University in Egypt, has always felt a deep connection with the land. Growing up in a country where agriculture plays a significant role in the economy, culture, and heritage, Abdelrahman naturally gravitated towards a major in agricultural sciences. “Agriculture really takes a huge place in the Egyptian economy, culture, and heritage,” he reflects. “Choosing to study agriculture was the best choice.”

    Now, Abdelrahman is an intern at BGI Bioverse, a subsidiary of BGI Group specializing in biological sciences with a focus on sustainable agriculture. With the help and support of his colleagues, Abdelrahman has found a perfect alignment between his passion for sustainable agriculture and the innovative solutions being developed at BGI Bioverse. “My responsibilities include helping the international affairs team achieve their goals in promoting the innovative solutions provided here at BGI Bioverse,” he shares. These innovations are practical solutions with the potential to significantly impact the world, particularly in regions like Africa and the Middle East.

    One of the projects Abdelrahman is most passionate about is the desert soilization technology – “Sand Mask”. This groundbreaking technology transforms sand into a soil-like substance suitable for cultivation, addressing the pressing issue of desertification. “We traveled to Inner Mongolia to study the survival rate, growth rate, and irrigation needs of plants that could be used in future projects,” he recalls. This project holds particular significance for Abdelrahman, as 95% of Egypt is desert, and with the fast-growing population, the need for innovative land reclamation methods is more urgent than ever.

    Another innovation Abdelrahman has been closely involved with is the promotion of perennial rice in Africa. This variety of rice, which can be harvested for multiple years without replanting, offers a sustainable solution to food insecurity in resource-scarce regions. “In Africa, where resources are not abundant, such a solution can provide more production, contributing to the well-being of African citizens,” he notes. Abdelrahman has been part of the team researching the African rice market to ensure the successful implementation of this crop across the continent.

    Abdelrahman said the working environment at BGI has been different from his previous internships. He praises the supportive environment fostered by his supervisor, Dr. Ren Xi, and the entire team at BGI Bioverse. “Dr. Ren is never late to answer any of my questions or teach me something new, despite his busy schedule. My colleagues are always willing to help, even though they have their own tasks to manage,” he says. This collaborative spirit, coupled with encouragement from Dr. Yin Ye, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of BGI Group, has made Abdelrahman’s internship a truly enriching experience.

    Reflecting on his time at BGI Bioverse, Abdelrahman highlights the knowledge he has gained about desert soilization as one of the most rewarding aspects. “Learning about desert soilization technology is crucial for Egypt, where water scarcity and the need to reclaim desert land are significant challenges,” he says. Abdelrahman hopes to bring this knowledge back to Egypt and apply it to help his homeland, as well as the broader Middle East and Africa.

    Beyond his professional pursuits, Abdelrahman is a man of many talents. He is a registered musician with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, playing the oud, a traditional Middle Eastern instrument. In China, he has found joy in hiking and exploring the landscapes of Shenzhen, a city he has called home for nearly a year. “The green trees and beautiful mountains here are a stark contrast to the landscapes back in Egypt,” he says with a smile.

    As he looks to the future, Abdelrahman is driven by his vision: to leverage the skills and technologies he has learned at BGI Bioverse to make a meaningful impact in Egypt and beyond. His journey is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and the unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.

  • Minister inaugurates committee to revamp Co-operatives Sector

    Minister inaugurates committee to revamp Co-operatives Sector

    The Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has inaugurated a Technical Working Group on the reform and revamping of the Co-operatives Sector of the economy.

    The Minister performed the inauguration recently after delivering the keynote address at a virtual roundtable of multi-stakeholders in Co-operatives drawn from different parts of the country and the Diaspora.

    “We want to have the Co-operative Movement breathing more life and taking its pride of place in our national economy,” the Minister said during the inauguration.

    According to him, “It is trite that if Co-operatives work, the economy will not just be robust but the economy will be equitable, because Co-operatives have the capacity for proper redistribution of wealth through the activities of Co-operators in the society.”

    Senator Aliyu Abdullahi reminded members of the Technical Working Group of the direct linkage between a revamped Co-operatives Sector and the Eight-Point Agenda encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “When Co-operatives are working, they can guarantee a shared value of prosperity, because the Co-operator is good at sharing and that is why he co-operates.”

    The Minister explained that repositioning Co-operatives will support livelihoods and contribute to the realization of President Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda. “This is because under Co-operatives, it is possible for us to support food security, economic growth and job creation; contribute to inclusivity, where we are able to bring in the women, youth, and even the elderly into the Co-operatives fold, and above all guarantee access to capital, because the mobilizing capacity of Co-operatives is definitely deep and wide,” the Minister stated.

    The Technical Working Group is tasked with, among other roles, reviewing existing laws and regulations governing Co-operatives in Nigeria, and to make recommendations for repeal or reenactment where appropriate.

    The Technical Working Group will equally examine international best practices in Co-operatives development and governance, scrutinize the structure and management capacity of Co-operatives institutions in the country, as well as recommend sustainable access to finance, technology, and markets for Co-operatives. Rebuilding trust and promoting youth integration and participation in Co-operatives are also part of the group’s task.

    Under the coordination of the Special Assistant on Cooperatives and Farmers Welfare in the Office of the Honourable Minister of State, Victor Oyegoke, membership of the Technical Working Group is drawn from Federal and State establishments as well as interest groups in the Co-operatives Sector. The Group has 45 working days to submit its report.

  • Ebola is cause of tomato scarcity – Agriculture minister

    Ebola is cause of tomato scarcity – Agriculture minister

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has disclosed that the rise in the price of tomatoes is a result of an infestation known as Tomato Ebola, which reduced its availability.

    Kyari stated this in a post on X.com while responding to a user who asked that something be done as “the cost of tomatoes is out of control; it’s like they are charging us per seed.”

    In his post, the minister wrote, “A significant number of our tomato farms have been affected by a severe infestation known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato Leaf Miner. This has drastically reduced the availability of tomatoes and contributed to rising costs.”

    Kyari added that the ministry has outlined plans to combat the issue, which include deploying agricultural experts to affected areas to control and eliminate the infestation and supporting farmers with resources and guidance to recover their crops quickly.

    “We understand the impact this has on your daily lives and are working tirelessly to resolve the situation and restore the supply of affordable tomatoes. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time, he added.”

    Recall that in May that the prices of basic food commodities such as rice, beans, maize, plantains, and tomatoes surged by 25.34 per cent to 40.01 percent as of March 2024.

  • Senate wants 10% allocation of annual budget revenue to agriculture

    Senate wants 10% allocation of annual budget revenue to agriculture

    The Nigerian Senate has urged the executive to ensure allocation of at least 10 per cent of total annual budget revenue to agricultural production.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture Production, Services and Rural Development, Sen. Salihu Mustapha (APC-Kwara) made the call in Abuja on Monday, at the joint budget defence session of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

    Mustapha said the Senate and House committees on agriculture production, services and rural development were concerned about the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

    He, however, said that despite the challenges, the sector remained the largest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the non-oil sector with over 20 per cent.

    He decried that the budget allocation to the sector remained a far cry from the 10 per cent of the nation’s budget in accordance with the Maputo declaration, to which Nigeria had committed to.

    “The agricultural sector has the largest potential to lead millions of Nigerians out of poverty and provide the much needed food security.

    “It is, therefore,  imperative that the sector should be given the utmost priority in national economic policies and future budgets.

    “I, therefore,  call on the executive to exercise the political will to allocate at least 10 per cent of the national budgets and revenues to the agriculture sector,” Mustapha said.

    He said the budget defence process was not only important but also sacrosanct.

    He said both chambers of the 10th assembly had demonstrated readiness and commitment to work together in order to pass the 2024 Budget in good and desirable time.

    Mustapha commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the executive for its desire, to revert to Jan. to Dec budget cycle.

    This, he said,  would enable the Federal Government to provide the laudable objectives of physical infrastructure and socio-economic services to our people.

    “By this commendable effort, both the public and the private sectors will benefit from a budget cycle that is not only reliable but also
    predictable for planning and execution of their fiscal and financial policies and programmes.”

    He assured of the committee’s willingness and commitment to treat the budget process with the sense of urgency and responsibility it deserved.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security,  Sen. Abubakar Kyari listed the ministry’s achievement in 2023 to include procurement and distribution of 324,718 kilograms of certified maize seeds to farmers clusters in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    Kyari said the ministry distributed 2,300 tomato production, pests and diseases management packs to 2,300 resourced poor smallholder tomato farmers in 10 tomato producing states affected by Tuta Absoluta in 2022 dry season production.

    He listed the states to include Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue.

    He also listed establishment of Rubber Rural Resource Centres (RRRC) with processing technology with a capacity of 1.85,  including installation and training of farmers clusters in Ogun.

    “Procured 3,000,000 doses of Anthrax Spore Vaccine for the prevention and control of Anthrax in Nigeria, conducted disease surveillance and investigation for trans-boundary animals and zoonotic diseases such as Anthrax, Avian Influenza, Rabies, Bovine Tuberculosis and African swine fever.”

    He said the ministry registered over 2,351 fertilizer operators across the country using the National Fertilizer Management e-portal platform which generated direct and indirect employment over the years.

    Kyari, however, decried inadequate budgetary provisions to execute critical projects and programmes that would stimulate national agricultural production.

    According to him, less than two per cent of the national budget was committed to agriculture as against 10 per cent agreed by Africa Heads of State at the Maputo declaration.

    He also decried inadequate overhead costs allocation to the ministry to meet its operational needs.

    According to him, effect of climate change and unprecedented flooding in most parts of the country, has greatly interfered with agricultural activities in most agrarian communities.

  • More women are needed in agriculture, says Amina Malah

    More women are needed in agriculture, says Amina Malah

    The Women Leader of the National Association of Wheat Farmers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NAWFPMAN), Hajiya Amina Malah, has called for the need of more women participation in wheat farming and processing.

    Malah made the call in an interview with NAN on Friday in Maiduguri.

    The Women Leader said women had made their mark in farming activities and should not be left behind in the tapping opportunities provided by the renewed commitment to wheat production in Nigeria.

    She said agriculture remains a leading window that would provide job opportunities for millions in Nigeria also mentioning that women needed to get their fair share in the sector, particularly the lucrative ones like wheat production.

    She  also disclosed that the association started a programme known as “1000 Women in Wheat farming”, to encourage women participation, adding that so far, over 1000 women had registered across the country to join the wheat revolution.

    “We said 1000 women for a start but we already have more than that number.

    “We are grouping them in clusters as more women continue to register to tap from the many potentials of wheat farming, processing and marketing,” Malah said.

    She urged all those engaged in farming who were supported with any form of loan to always repay for others to also benefit.

  • New Yam Festival conforms with Christian teachings – Catholic priest

    New Yam Festival conforms with Christian teachings – Catholic priest

    An Enugu-based Catholic priest, Very Rev. Fr. John Amadi, has said that the New Yam Festival celebrated in Igbo land is in conformity with Christian teachings.
    Amadi made the assertion on Saturday while delivering a homily at a concelebrated Holy Mass at the St. Cyril Catholic Parish, Egede, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State to mark the 2023 New Yam Festival, (Akani).
    According to him, the Catholic Church has always supported the observance of certain cultural heritage that do not conflict with Christian teachings.
    The cleric likened the New Yam festival to the church tradition of annual harvest and thanksgiving service where Christians come in thanksgiving to God for successful end of the farming season and for bountiful blessing from God.
    “The New Yam festival is a celebration of dedication and hard work as exemplified in the parable of the Talent.
     “The parable of the Talent teaches that success is a product of hard work and dedication to duty,”.
    He admonished the people of Egede Town to embrace peace, unity and hard work for their well being and overall development.
    The cleric remarked that Egede, being a land of great men and women of valour, who have excelled in different spheres of life, needed peace and unity to take their place in comity of progressive societies in the state.
    Speaking on the essence of the New Yam festival, the traditional ruler of Ibute Egede, His Royal Highness, Igwe Ikenna Okwesili, who performed the Iwa-ji, (the cutting of the new yam) described the festival or Akani as the time the community began to eat the new yams of the year.
    Okwesili noted that the eating of the new yam signalled the end of famine and food shortage each year as hunger reduced.
    He remarked that Egede had been agog for days because of the age-long Akani (Iri ji) which enjoyed impressive glamour, that attracted indigenes of various communities, including those in the Diaspora, their friends and well-wishers.
    In a welcome address, the President, Egede Progressive Movement, Dr. Chidi Uzuegbu, stated that the event was put together to bring about peace and unity amongst the various parts of Egede.
    Uzuegbu pointed out that the Akani festival had always been a melting and meeting point for friends and relatives who shared age-long blood familial and cultural bond and ties to renew their oneness and solidarity.
    He informed the gathering that this year’s New Yam festival also offered them the opportunity to honour a Statesman and worthy friend of Egede, the former Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, whose administration benefitted the people of Egede immensely.
     He said that Chime’s administration built the only access road, the Eke, Ebe, Egede, Affa, Akpakwume/Nze road as well as being the administration that gave Egede indigenes the number of government appointments such as Special Advisers and Permanent Secretaries.
    Earlier in his keynote address, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Eddy Ndibuagu commended the leadership of the Egede Progressive Movement for working assiduously towards the advancement of the peace, unity and progress of Egede people.
     Responding, former Gov. Chime expressed gratitude to the Egede Progressive Movement, and entire people of Egede for their gesture of goodwill and recognition saying that he was humbled by the honour done to him.
    He equally remarked that he was not in Egede because of what he did for the people as a governor but to share his solidarity and good friendship with his people.
    Other distinguished guests who graced the occasion include the Senator representing Enugu West, Osita Ngwu who was represented by Uche Alor, the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, Prof Jide Chime, and Secretary of Udi Local Government, Collins Amalu amongst others.
    Other major highlights of the celebration was cultural display by various dancing groups and  the presentation of special Awards to some illustrious sons and daughters of the town.
    It was gathered that in the past and typical in all Igbo communities, it was a taboo for any indigene to eat new yam before the traditional “Iwa ji or Akani ceremony is performed by the royal father.
    Big tubers of roasted yam are usually brought to public glare, before the traditional ruler, along with a bowl of oil bean salad, known in local parlance as Ukpaka.
    The Ukpaka is usually garnished with palm oil, pepper and other delicious condiments that ultimately make the eating of the new yam pleasurable and memorable.
    NAN
  • 52nd Independence: Bangladesh, Nigeria to deepen cooperation in agriculture, ICT

    52nd Independence: Bangladesh, Nigeria to deepen cooperation in agriculture, ICT

    The Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Masudur Rahman has expressed the desire of his country to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in the areas of agriculture, textile and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

    Rahman said this on Sunday evening in Abuja at a reception to mark the 52nd Independence and National Day celebration of Bangladesh.

    He said considering the peculiarity between both countries in terms of demography and diplomatic pursuits, Nigeria and Bangladesh needed to further strengthen cooperation from all fronts.

    “Today Bangladesh and Nigeria, having tremendous synergies in demography, colonial legacy, democratic and secular traditions and diplomatic pursuits under the ambit of the UN and it’s specialised bodies, the OIC, the D-8 and the Commonwealth are poised to deepen further our existing bilateral cooperation.

    “Both countries are eyeing to expand cooperation in agriculture, education, communications and digital economy, export-led sectors like garments/textiles, SMEs including defense training and exchanges,” he said.

    Rahman also stressed the need to explore other areas of untapped potential and mutual interest.

    “I am hopeful that Bangladesh and Nigeria will strive further to tap the unexplored huge potential existing in the two countries and people, to elevate the bilateral cooperation to the next level of incentivized trading and business,” he added.

    The envoy paid homage to the visionary leadership of the ‘father of the nation’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his struggle for independence and bequeathing an independent and prosperous nation to its people.

    He noted that the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina had gradually moved the country into a digital middle-income developing country from where it was at independence.

    He said the country was on the road to achieving all SDGs and transforming the country into a higher middle-income country before 2030.

    The high commissioner therefore called on the international community to continue to partner with Bangladesh in its quest for rapid development.

    The occasion was graced by diplomats, captains of industries, the academia, defence attaches among other dignitaries.

    The Independence Day of Bangladesh is celebrated on March 26 as a national day.

    It commemorates the country’s declaration of independence from Pakistan in 1971.

  • CBN disbursed N12.65bn as agriculture intervention since January – Emefiele

    CBN disbursed N12.65bn as agriculture intervention since January – Emefiele

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has disbursed N12.65 billion to the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), its flagship agriculture intervention scheme from January till date.

    The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele said this on Tuesday in Abuja, when he read the communique issued at the end of the 290th meeting of the apex bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

    According to Emefiele, the total sum that has been disbursed under the ABP since inception in 2015 is N1.09 trillion.

    “Between January and February 2023, the bank disbursed N12.65 billion to three agricultural projects under the ABP.

    “It brings the cumulative disbursement under the programme to N1.09 trillion to more than 4.6 million smallholder farmers cultivating or rearing 21 agricultural commodities on an approved 6.02 million hectares of farmland,” Emefiele said.

    He said that the CBN had also disbursed huge sums as intervention to various other sectors of the economy.

    “The CBN also released the sum of N23.70 billion under the N1.0 trillion Real Sector Facility to eight new real sector projects in agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

    “Cumulative disbursements under the Real Sector Facility currently stands at N2.43 trillion disbursed to 462 projects across the country, comprising 257 manufacturing, 95 agriculture, 97 services and 13 mining sector projects,” he said.

    He said that the apex bank also released N3.01 billion under the Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility (NEMSF-2) for capital and operational expenditure of electricity distribution companies
    (Discos).

    He said that the facility was aimed at improving liquidity status of the Discos, and aiding their recovery of legacy debt.

    “This brings the cumulative disbursement under the facility to N254.39 billion,” he said.