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More than 150 poultry farmers in Kogi State are to benefit from the National Egg Production (NEGPRO) scheme of the Federal Government. The scheme has set aside N4.2 million as loans to each of the beneficiaries for the massive production of eggs. Chief Tunde Badmus, Scheme Manager, and national anchor of the programme who disclosed this recently at a Town Hall Interactive Meeting with poultry farmers in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, said the NEGPRO scheme would soon commence operations in six pilot states, adding that 150 farmers have so far been registered for the scheme in Kogi State, one of the pilot locations for the scheme. Badmus said the main purpose of the scheme is to create employment for unemployed young Nigerians who are entrepreneurial and willing to work hard while also creating employment opportunities for their peers. He said, “Intending beneficiary must have a farm that can take about 2,000 pullets, motorable and accessible, have little knowledge abou

Tor Tiv, Orchivirgh, James Ayatse, paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, has resolved to work with relevant bodies and organisations to bring down the poverty level among his people and Benue State at large through modern farming techniques. Consequently, he visited South Africa recently andaddressed the summit on Agric Investment Indaba (AAII) 2017 on the topic: “Driving Economies of Scales to Ensure Sustainability and Competitiveness in Today’s Farming Environment” as exclusive VIP Guest Speaker. The Paramount ruler, who spoke with INDEPENDENT in Makurdi noted that while the summit would immensely benefit the Benue people whose mainstay is agriculture, said it would also address the issues of poverty, unemployment and insecurity. He stressed that he was not satisfied with the level of peasant agriculture being practiced by the Tiv people “because it has not been able to take us out of poverty.” Ayatse further said the “Poverty index in Tiv nation and Benue at large i

At least 10,000 farmers from Adamawa State are to participate in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS).   Mr. Godwin Emefiele CBN Governor Alhaji Ahmadu Waziri, Adamawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, disclosed this during a town hall meeting organised for representatives of farmers’ groups in the state on the programme recently. Waziri explained that the programme, a special one under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, is designed for unemployed young people within 18 to 35 years who are not currently participating in similar government empowerment programmes. The commissioner noted that the state government entered maize and livestock as its choice areas under the programme, adding that the educated and non-educated can join the scheme as long as they are willing to embrace agriculture. Waziri said under the programme, the state government would provide land to the beneficiaries where necessary, while participants

The SIFAX Group of Companies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fesco Agalu Nigeria Enterprises Limited to organise an international agricultural exhibition and conference in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, in 2018. The exhibition, tagged Agrictech Nigeria Osun 2018, is expected to become Nigeria’s largest exhibition and conference on agriculture, farm machineries, dairy, poultry, water technology, livestock equipment, agriculture processing technologies and environmental control in the years ahead. According to Yahaya Majeed, Executive Director, Fesco Agalu, the exhibition will serve as a melting point where countries and individuals can meet to discuss business opportunities in agriculture. “It is an event where Africans meet their European counterparts without necessarily travelling to Europe. It is a platform for investors’ meeting to discuss businesses of mutual benefits. “It will also promote Osun cultural tourism, as delegation from abroad would

Bank of Agriculture (BoA) has flagged off an egg production scheme in Abia State in a bid to boost the protein component of the school feeding programme, create sustainable poultry industry and increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, recently Kabir Muhammed Adamu, Managing Director of BoA, represented by Gabriel Okenwa, Executive Director, Partnership, Strategy and Corporate Services, Bank of Industry (BoI), said one million jobs would be created in the scheme and that over 50 million eggs would be produced daily. Adamu said the scheme will empower farmers and make them employers of labour which can lead to 1.6 million profit cash at hand and massive wealth creation. He said participants of the scheme are entitled to a loan of N4.3 million to be repaid in two and half years with a single-digit interest rate. He explained that Abia was chosen as one of the pilot states due to Governo

Federal Government and Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) recently launched a roadmap for evidence-based insurance development for Nigeria’s farmers. Speaking at introduction the roadmap in Abuja, Dr. Bukar Hassan, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, explained that the blueprint had become necessary as part of an effort to ameliorate the problem of climate change on the nation’s agricultural sector. “Our agriculture is rain-fed dependent as farmers rely hugely on the vagaries of weather and climate (onset, cessation, intensity, amount and duration). Though it has been acknowledged that climate change is a global phenomenon and a reality, its impact has been devastating, as floods or draught can wipe out the entire harvest of farmers. This was the case of our farmers in 2012 and as recently as 2017,” Dr. Hassan said. He noted that the roadmap would strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural and give the requi

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has urged African governments to quickly address growing cases of hunger and malnutrition on the continent, according to a report released a few weeks ago.   FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva The report which put the number of individuals suffering from hunger in sub-Sahara Africa at 224 million in 2016 as a result of climate change and conflict - an increase of 10 percent – indicated that cases of malnutrition had gone up to 22.7per cent from 20.8per cent between 2015 and 2016. In a related development, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) announced that the German government had agreed to release €20 million to the FAO in order to help smallholder-farmers in developing countries to fight the shock of climate change and improve on food security. Périn Saint Ange, IFAD’s Associate Vice President, said “These funds will not only help in our efforts to adapt smallholder agriculture

Mushrooms are increasingly becoming popular due to their usefulness and powerful health benefits. Their popularity will continue to soar in today’s health-conscious society because they pack a nutritious punch. Nonetheless, consumers need to be cautious with mushrooms as some species are toxic in nature. It is for this reason that consumers are always advised to buy mushrooms from reputable shops only. Mushrooms are enjoyed as delicacies by the various tribal groups in Nigeria. They are called ‘Olu or Ogiri Agbe’ in Yoruba, ‘Naman Kaza’ in Hausa, ‘Ero’ in Igbo, ‘Utun’ in Ishan, ‘Fatar’ in Arabic, ‘Ijov’ in Tiv, ‘Oru’ in Igala and ‘Mkpifia’ in Ibibio, among others. Nigerians also utilise mushroom-forming fungi as folk medicine. Oyster and shiitake mushrooms are some of the common edible mushrooms that were successfully cultivated in Nigeria on small-scale basis. The mushroom resources in Nigeria are grossly under-exploited for addressing economic and industrial development.

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated a state-of-the-art rice mill at Amarawa Village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State in a bid to demonstrate his support for local rice production and promote the country’s quest for self-sufficiency in the production of Nigeria’s number one staple food item.   L-R: Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, President Muhammadu Buhari and Mr. Sriram Venkateswaran, Chairman, FullMark Group during the inauguration of the multi-million naira state-of-the-art Amarawa Rice Mill located at Amarawa Village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State recently Owned and operated by Amarava Agro Processors Limited, a subsidiary of Fullmark Group, the 288 metric tonnes per day capacity Amarawa rice mill is the first rice mill in the country that has almost 100 percent local content as all fabrications and installations were made in Kano. Speaking during the inauguration of the factory as part of activities marking

Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has urged the Federal Government to formulate policies that will discourage reliance on agricultural machines and equipment from foreign countries and give incentives to local production of such equipment. NACCIMA President Iyalode Alaba Lawson Iyalode Alaba Lawson, National President of NACCIMA, who made the call at the just concluded 2-day NACCIMA-NIRSAL Agribusiness conference in Abuja, said the government should also promote local sourcing of raw materials for fertiliser production and accelerate the passage of the Fertilizer Quality Control Bill 2017.    She called on ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) involved in the implementation of key activities in the economy to swiftly implement agricultural programmes to boost the economy with emphasis on improving both the public and private sector efficiency. In her address, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice P

Oye Akinsemoyin, Chairman of Nigeria-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NVCCI) has said Vietnam can assist Nigeria in processing of farm produce as part of an effort to boost the export of unprocessed products and promote cooperation in the agricultural sector between the two countries.   Vietnam-Nigeria Akinsemoyin who said this at the Nigeria-Vietnam Business and Investment Forum held in Hanoi on December 4 noted that Nigeria has the potential to become a gateway for Vietnamese enterprises in the African market. According to him, Nigeria wishes to receive Vietnam's support in human resources while the two sides can take advantage of their respective comparative advantages to develop the processing industry including the processing of farm produce. He hoped that the two countries will boost the export of unprocessed products in addition to promoting cooperation in the production and processing industry. Doan Duy Khuong, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Chambe

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that leads international efforts to defeat hunger, has raised the alarm that the recent increase in the number of hungry people in the world requires immediate action to reverse the situation. FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva who said this while addressing members of the FAO Council today noted that the latest hunger figure - 815 million people - marked the first increase after more than a decade of steady decline. Obesity and overweight are also growing, in developed and developing countries, posing another cost of current food systems, he added. FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva addressing the Council. Photo: ©FAO/Giuseppe Carotenuto "The most important thing to do now is to build the resilience of poor people to face the impacts of conflicts and climate change," making sure that humanitarian assistance is combined with development actions to ch

Senate President Bukola Saraki has said the $22 billion annual expenditure on imported foods into the country is unacceptable.   Senate President Bukola Saraki Speaking at a public hearing on the National Fertilizer Quality Control Bill, National Livestock Bill and legal framework for the inclusion of cassava policy bill, Saraki said Nigeria’s livestock production is also grossly inadequate. Saraki, who was represented by the deputy minority leader, Emmanuel Bwacha, said the Senate will through legislation address the challenges for the country to attain food security. “Nigeria’s livestock production is also grossly inadequate. We spend some $22 billion on food imports annually, with chicken alone accounting for N600 billion of that sum. Cattle, the most valued of our livestock products, meets only 60 per cent of our demand. “It was recently revealed that a Nigerian cow produces only one litre of milk on average per day. When we compare that to the 50 litres output

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has said the state government is prepared to adopt public-private partnerships (PPP) in agricultural and economic ventures as part of an effort to boost economic activities in Sokoto State.   Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto State Governor Tambuwal, who gave the assurance at a parley with newsmen in Sokoto recently, said such partnerships would be geared towards enhancing revenue generation and employment opportunities for citizens of the state. He listed some of the partnerships to include the Anchor Borrowers Scheme and other agricultural projects of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in addition to the schemes of commercial banks which were targeted at boosting agricultural production in the state. He said other ventures were those relating to solid minerals exploitation, tomato farming and processing as well as textiles and agro-allied industries. Tambuwal said a mechanised cattle breeding and dairy farm was established by his ad

Osun State Government has said it would collaborate with the Eti-Oni community in the state to hold a cocoa festival in order to encourage farmers and expand the economic base of the state.   Source: guardian.ng The festival which also aims to boost cocoa production among farmers is expected to attract several players in the private sector of the economy. Oloni of Eti-Oni, Oba Thompson Adedokun, who disclosed this to journalists at the Ministry of Agriculture, Government Secretariat in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, explained that the festival is an initiative of the Eti-Oni Development Group and an avenue for the celebration of the cultural heritage of Eti-Oni. Oba Adedokun said this year’s celebration is tagged, “The Royal Origins and Traditions of Cocoa for Sustainability,” adding that the community is celebrating 121 years of continued production of cocoa. He encouraged stakeholders to support the government in the area of value adding to agriculture produce

Foreigners are currently taking over Nigeria’s agricultural sector as a result of the excessively high interest rates being demanded from indigenous agriculturists by Deposit Money Banks, the Federal Government has said.   Senator Heineken Lokpobiri Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development  Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organised in Abuja by the Danish Embassy in Nigeria on value development in the country’s food and agriculture sector, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said the major challenge inhibiting the desired development of the country’s agricultural sector was poor access to finance. Lokpobiri stated, “The major challenge bedevilling this industry is access to finance. Agricultural financing in Nigeria is too costly; for even at nine per cent you can’t find it. They will ask you for all forms of collateral, the CBN will say bring your father’s house, bring this, bring that. “But if

Pakistan is to stage an agricultural machinery exhibition in Nigeria to showcase its technological achievements in agriculture. Mr. Asim Khan, Head of Chancery, Pakistan High Commission, said the proposed exhibition “is a fallout of the recent 6th D8 Ministerial meeting on industrial cooperation’’. Participants at D8 ministerial meeting emphasised the need for exchange of technology to boost agricultural production in member states. The diplomat explained that made-in-Pakistan agricultural machinery to be exhibited would include rugged tractors and other equipment that could boost small and medium enterprises growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Khan said Pakistan is determined to assist Nigeria’s efforts for self-sufficiency in food production. He added that the single country agriculture equipment show would also be a channel to make durable and efficient farming equipment available to Nigerian farmers at reasonable cost. He disclosed that Ghulam Jatoi, Pa

Farmcrowdy, an agricultural technological firm, has launched a digital application known as farmcrowdy for farmers in a bid to ameliorate the challenge of food shortages and make the business of agriculture attractive and beneficial to farmers. Onyeka Akumah, Chief Executive Officer of Farmcrowdy Onyeka Akumah, Chief Executive Officer of Farmcrowdy, explained that the application is Nigeria's first digital platform focused on giving people the opportunity to invest in agriculture by connecting farm sponsors with real farmers, particularly small scale farmers. According to him, Farmcrowdy is currently empowering more than 2,000 farmers in eight states across the country. Akumah who spoke at Farmcrowdy first year anniversary and the recent launch of the application in IOS, windows and Android platform in Lagos, disclosed that more than 4,000 farmers are also in the process of signing on to the platform while the company is prepared to give interested Nigerians all the

Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), has urged officers and men of the Nigerian Army to join other Nigerians and invest in agriculture.   Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ogbeh who gave the advise while speaking at a sensitisation programme organised by FMARD for the Nigerian Army in Abuja recently said, the ministry would love to see the soldiers participating actively in agriculture production and see agriculture as a business. “Food security is an integral part of national security; that is why the army, whose mandate is to provide national security, cannot afford to avoid attending to food security. “Active participation of the army can never be seen as an incursion into an unfamiliar ground but a step in the direction that agrees in principle with one of its core mandate, which is ensuring peace,’’ he said Ogbeh, who was represented by Mrs. Winifred Ochinyabo, Special Adviser to Ogbeh on Specia

Fifteen companies in the food and agriculture sector from Denmark have earlier in the week signed agreements with interested Nigerian businesses to explore possibilities of doing business in this country. The firms are part of a trade delegation led by Esben Lunde Larsen, Denmark’s Minister for Environment and Food, to a symposium in Abuja, the Nigerian capital. The Danish firms deal in logistics and cold chain; breeding and genetics; agro-industry inputs and equipment; ingredients and drinks; food and grain analysis and equipment; seed processing and grain logistic; and agriculture financing. Danish ministerial visits to Nigeria over the past year underlines “broad spectrum of common issues and areas for cooperation between our two countries,” said Danish ambassador Torben Gettermann. “The clear signs that Nigeria is on its way towards renewed economic growth carries with them the potential for broadening and increasing our commercial relations,” Gettermann said.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) belongs to the palm family (Arecaceae). Grown in abundance in Nigeria, Malaysia, Polynesia and southern Asia, Spanish explorers named the plant cocos - meaning 'grinning face', because of the three little eyes on the base. Source: spoonuniversity.com Classed as a fruit and frequently confused for being a nut, the coconut is actually a one-seeded drupe.  In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is known as kalpa vriksha which means 'tree which gives all that is necessary for living' because nearly all its parts are useful - the water, milk, flesh, sugar and oil. Even the husks and leaves are used as materials in furnishings and decoration. Palm trees produce coconuts up to 13 times a year and although it takes a year for the coconuts to mature, a fully blossomed tree can produce between 60 and 180 coconuts in a single harvest. Coconuts are highly nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 and minerals including iron,

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has appealed to the Federal Government to increase its allocation to federal universities of agriculture in the country. Ikpeazu who made the call while speaking at the eighth convocation and silver jubilee celebration of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), commended President Muhammadu Buhari for refocusing attention on agriculture as a way of assuring economic growth in Nigeria. Speaking on the government’s directive to federal tertiary institutions, including MOUAU, to revert to their core mandates, the governor noted that “As Abia citizens, our desire would have been for this university to continue to train our children in different areas of academics, irrespective of their inclinations. “This is because we do not have any other federal institution that can fill the gap except this great institution.” He added that the global challenges of survival faced by graduates of such institutions would re