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 President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an order to undo Obama-era climate change regulations, keeping a campaign promise to support the coal industry and calling into question U.S. support for an international deal to fight global warming. US President Donald Trump CNN Flanked by coal miners and coal company executives, Trump proclaimed his “Energy Independence” executive order at the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency. The move drew swift backlash from a coalition of 23 states and local governments, as well as environmental groups, which called the decree a threat to public health and vowed to fight it in court. The order’s main target is former President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which required states to slash carbon emissions from power plants – a key factor in the United States’ ability to meet its commitments under a climate change accord reached by nearly 200 countries in Paris in 2015. Trump’s decree also reverses a ban on coal l

Cros Agro Allied Limited, a Nigerian agribusiness company, has announced plans to invest $65 million in Nigeria’s potato sector. In the long term, this should help create over 30,000 jobs in the potato value chain, generate up to $300 million in foreign exchange and create outgrower opportunities for 5,000 farmers. Olusegun Paul Andrew, CEO of Cros Agro Allied, who made the announcement said: “this investment commitment is in line with our overarching goal to help build sustainable and inclusive agribusiness in Nigeria. This project seeks to contribute to the government’s target of increasing potato production to reach 450,000 metric tonnes in five years.” In the same framework, the company has also outlined plans to increase its processing capacity, mainly by acquiring new equipment and farm machinery. These will be used to support the production of potatoes which it plans to increase by expanding its production area to 900ha. According to Andrew, the company w

Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, says foreign exchange from agriculture and solid minerals could service the country’s debt and loan profile.   Ogbeh made the assertion on the sideline of the National Agribusiness Youth Training Programme funded by the Federal Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abuja on Tuesday.   The minister said that most funds for the training of youths in agriculture were borrowed from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Chief Audu Ogbeh Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development   He said the Federal Government was designing a strategy through agriculture to enable the country earn enough foreign exchange to service its debt in due course.   According to him, after satisfying our needs in local staples for the grains mainly, we have to design a scheme from which we shall earn enough foreign exchange to settle debts.   He said the Federal Government w

Abdulhameed Aliyu, MD/CEO NIRSAL  As part of the effort to make agribusiness more attractive to the youth population and increase access to credit by farmers, the Nigerian Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) has said it will release a whopping sum of N60 billion in fresh lending for agricultural purposes in the current financial year. Delivering a paper entitled “Powering Nigerian Agriculture Through Innovative Financing: The NIRSAL Edge” at the BusinessDay Agribusiness & Food Security Summit 2017 last week, Aliyu Abbati Abdulhameed, Managing Director of NIRSAL, said the agency is working to reduce the break-even interest rate to agribusiness borrowers from 22 per cent to between 7.5 per cent and 10.5 per cent before the end of the year. He assured Nigerian farmers that NIRSAL is well equipped to deliver on its mission to play a greater role in the effort to revamp the country’s agriculture sector by resolving the longstanding proble

Ademola Adeshina, inaugural chairman of Africa Apiculture Platform (AAP) and first national chairman of Nigeria Apiculture Platform (NAP), has said investments in honey production or apiculture can revive the Nigerian economy because it has enormous potential for job creation which will, in turn, increase the income of rural dwellers. Bee Keepers during launch of NAP Adeshina who is also the chairman of A & Shine Honey Limited said rural farmers should be encouraged to introduce three to four bee hives to one hectare of farm during the farming season in order to fully appreciate the value of bee keeping. He said any farmer who follows the advice cannot regret taking the action because the bees will help to pollinate crops on the farm thereby increasing harvests and the farmer can also make money from selling the honey. He disclosed that plans are underway to stage the first-ever Honey Show Exposition in Nigeria this year. The aim of the planned expo, he said, is to at

 Cassava farmers will soon smile as the five-year effort which began in 2014 to minimise the menace of weeds on cassava farms is nearing completion. This was the view of scientists who met this week this at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to review the Cassava Weed Management Project which is being funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates’ Foundation. Dr Alfred Dixon, project leader, said the project seeks to address weed menace and increase cassava productivity in order to minimise the drudgery of hand weeding by farmers, a task that is particularly reserved for women and children. Declaring that the prosperity of Nigeria must be a collective effort, Dixon said weeds contribute between 50 per cent and 90 per cent in yield losses to cassava farmers because weed control takes between 50 per cent and 80 per cent of labour budget. Dr Hauser Stefan, a member of the Project Team, said the project is employing th

Akin Akinbola, MD/CEO Promosalons Nigeria Promosalons Nigeria, official representative of Promosalons France in Nigeria and organizer of Nigerian business delegation to SPACE in conjunction with Bretagne Commerce International , a highly recognized Animal Production Trade Show  in Rennes, France has said 16 French companies will visit Nigeria on trade mission from Tuesday, 28th to Thursday, 30th March 2017. The visiting companies, in conjunction with ADEPTA ( French Association for the Development of International Trade in Agricultural and Food Processing Techniques), will be taking part in Agrofood 2017 Trade Exhibition taking place at the Landmark Convention Centre, Lagos . Their presence at the fair, according to Promosalons Nigeria in a statement signed by Mr. Akin Akinbola,   Managing Director of Promosalons Nigeria, presents a great opportunity for Nigerian companies in agribusiness to secure business partnerships with the visiting French companies, as partic

The demand for the hydroponic technique used by some local agricultural farms to increase production of vegetables has increased and more than 200 individuals and entities have asked for installation of this modern soil-less farming method at their homes or farms in last three days. “In the last three days of the fifth Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition "Agriteq 2017", we have received more than 200 applications from various individuals and commercial entities asking this technology and green-houses at their homes and farms as it is more healthy than traditional agriculture,” said Ali Ahmed from The Global Farm for Agricultural Supplies pavilion at the 'Agriteq 2017'. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution. Hydroponics does not use soil, instead the root system is supported using an inert medium such as perlite, rockwool, clay pellets, peat moss, or vermiculite. The Global Farm for Agricultural Supplie

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has trained no fewer than 50 farmers from rice clusters. Mr Wellington Omoragbon, a Director in Edo Ministry of Agriculture, said the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has trained no fewer than 50 farmers from rice clusters in the state. FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva Omoragbo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Sunday that the training was in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI)’ He said that farmers from Illushi, Anegbete and Agenegbode Local Government Areas of the state participated in the training aimed at building their capacity on field management of seeds and padding production. ”It is a new initiative designed to sustain rice development and production in the sub-Sahara Africa.“It is designed to empower small scale rice farmers and to support them with improved seeds and agro-chemicals at 80 p

 United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through one of its programmes- known as Lead and other partners, has trained 80 women and young people in the areas of management and agriculture, to help push for food security in Africa. The five-day leadership short course was organised to inspire, energise and mobilise innovative leaders, champions, and thinkers who are committed to creating new approaches to achieving food security on the continent. Carla Denizard, Regional Director Africa Lead, said former President Barack Obama had the vision of developing and empowering leaders in Africa to ensure food security and promote agricultural production. “In Nigeria, this is the first time we are kicking the ‘Champion for Change training’, we have trained today about 80 women and youths in the principles of change management on the cadre of the comprehensive African development programme on strategic leadership, planning, monitoring and evaluation and how t

Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Morocco on the supply of phosphate has created 50,000 new jobs in the country. Baru added that the MoU also resulted in the production of about 1.3 million tonnes of fertilizer in the country.   He disclosed this while speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with Princess Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD-Nigeria). “The Moroccans have already supplied a cargo of phosphate which has been delivered to various blending plants across the country. Already, 11 blending plants have come into production because of the supply. I am happy to inform you that this development has translated to the creation of about 50, 000 jobs,” Baru said. He explained that the partnership will lead to a massive expansion in the nation’s agricultural sector and the e

Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agric and Rural Devt, The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced the appointment of new heads for the Bank of Agriculture. The new heads include an interim managing director and other executive directors. Disclosing this in a statement signed by Mrs. Blessing Lere-Adams, Deputy Director of Information at the ministry, the Federal Government said the appointments would support the vision of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the agricultural sector. The new heads include Kabiru Mohammed as interim MD/CEO; Prince Akenzua (South-South), Executive Director, Corporate Finance; and Okenwa Gabriel (South-East), Executive Director, Partnerships and Strategy. Others are Ameh Owoicho (North-Central), Executive Director, Credit and Empowerment; and Bode Abikoye (South-West) Executive Director, Credit and Empowerment.  “These appointments are as a result of the Federal Government’s determination to reposit

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Reps Following a motion by Rep Rotimi Agunsoye on Need To Protect Nigerians From The Harmful Effects of Fanta and Sprite Beverages Produced By Nigerian Bottling Company, the House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to establish whether carbonated soft drinks produced in Nigeria by Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC), 7-Up Bottling Company and others are fit for human consumption. Also, the committee will also liaise with the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ascertain the chemical composition of all carbonated drinks produced and marketed in Nigeria. Making his submission on the floor of the House, Agunsoye said, ”recent publications on two or three products of the Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd which could cause severe and or terminal harm on unsuspecting members of the public. ”Sprite and Fanta, which are products of the Coca-Cola Company are said to contain unhealthy concentr

The Women Agricultural Advancement & Sustainability Africa (WAASA) recently organised a free training seminar for farmers under its monthly farmers’ hangout series. Anchored by Chi Tola Farms Limited and supported by Dizengoff, the theme of the training was "FROM FARMS TO BRANDS". The initiative focused on helping farmers especially women to achieve agro-allied productivity excellence. Mrs. Chi Tola, founder of WAASA and owner of Chi Tola Farms which is into large scale mushroom production said the monthly farmers’ hangout series started last year and has witnessed over 700 participants. below are pictures from the training session

The federal government is partnering with Poultry Association of Nigeria to address the rise in the price of maize across the country. Heineken Lokpobiri Minister of State for Agric and Rural Development This was disclosed by the minister of state for agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri after he led the poultry farmers association to a meeting with the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa yesterday. The minister of state expressed the readiness of government to tame the astronomical increase in prices of maize which is critical to the sustenance of the nation’s poultry sub-sector. He highlighted smuggling and hoarding as challenges hindering availability of maize to poultry farmers across the nation. He said, ‘‘we had a meeting with the acting president over some concerns in the poultry industry Poultry industry is  one of the most organized in Nigeria and one of the most important input of the industry is maize and soya beans and because of what

Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has said its programmes for young graduates and women would be more flexible and accessible with a view to getting them involved in agricultural production. To this end, the bank is set to revamp some of its youth-based programmes, one of which is its Youth in Agriculture Development in Nigeria (YAN) programme. The YAN programme presently attracts low interest rates as beneficiaries can now access up to N1m agric loans for a start, and also take even more instantly on repayment. A similar procedure which also applies to the women in agriculture loan scheme. Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Disclosing this in Ibadan, at a workshop organized by the bank, the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu Sambo challenged the youth in the Niger Delta region to avail themselves of the programmes targeted at the youths. This he said would be instrumental to them accessing agric loans of a minimum of up to N1milli

Chief Audu Ogbeh, Agric Minister Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and United Kingdom’s Department of International Development have announced a N7.6 billion cassava development grant to Nigerian farmers to enhance food production and sustenance. The main beneficiary of the fund will be the NextGen Cassava, a project aimed at developing new varieties of cassava with higher yield and nutritional content across Africa. The project is being executed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, with support from the Boyce Thompson Institute, Brazil; International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, Colombia; National Crops Resources Research Institute, Uganda; National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria; US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service; and other international partners. At the meeting of the project scientists at the IITA, Ibadan, the Project Manager, IITA NexGen Cassava Breeding, Chiedozie Egesi, said despite Africa accounting fo

Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) initiative is designed to complement other agricultural programmes in the country. Emefiele who disclosed this at the formal flag off of the rice dry season farming in Jibia, Katsina State last year said Nigeria’s food import bills was exceptionally high, adding that rice and wheat formed part of four items that gulped a whopping N1 trillion in foreign exchange.  He explained that the ABP became imperative when the government realized that food imports had fueled domestic inflation, depleted foreign reserves, displaced local production and created unemployment. He noted that import dependency especially on commodities of comparative advantage was neither acceptable nor sustainable. He said with the fast depletion of rice reserve in the country, it became obvious that Nigeria could not afford to sustain rice importation. The first step in curtailing this, ac

With the onset of the rainy season, farmers are either started planting or are busy preparing their land. But due to the literacy level, the vast majority has failed to conduct a soil test on their farmlands to determine the nutritional value of the soil. Knowledge on soil fertility through soil testing is important because soils can become sick after repeated use. A soil test helps the farmer to determine whether the nutrients present in the soil are in the right proportion to grow healthy crops. Soil test not only helps the farmer to understand the soils on the farm, it also helps him to deal with the deficiencies and excesses and ensure that the soil nutritional content is correct. Failure to conduct a soil test before planting usually leads to indiscriminate use of fertilizer by farmers who wrongly assume that the input is the solution to their desire for bumper harvests at all times. What they fail to understand is that different plants require different elements an

A 'world-first' study of the genomes of indigenous cattle in Africa has revealed vital clues that will help secure the future of cattle production on the continent, said a report released by the University of Nottingham yesterday. The report said scientists in England and East Africa mapped the genomes of five breeds of African cattle to help inform future breeding programmes and stop indigenous cattle from dying out. The scientists include Professor Olivier Hanotte from The University of Nottingham and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Ethiopia, with Professor Heebal Kim from Seoul National University. Professor Olivier Hanotte said: "This paper is important because it is the first time that the genome of African cattle has been studied in detail. The results will better inform breeding and crossbreeding programmes to improve cattle productivity and resilience in sub-Saharan Africa and crucially preserve the genetic diversity of the specie

The state of Osun is set to dominate the supply of beef to markets in Oyo, Lagos and other parts of the south west of Nigeria. This became apparent during a tour of Oloba Farm Settlement in Iwo where 1,500 hectares of land has been acquired, and a 78-hectare cattle ranch established for the fattening of cattles and goats. The ranch has the capacity to produce 10,000 cattles amongst other animals being raised for meat production. Earlier, the state government of Osun had sent 40 youths to Germany to acquire modern agricultural techniques in 2015. Another set of 2,806 Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, OYES cadet were also trained in modern agriculture practices at the OREAP Youth Academy, Odua Farmers Academy, and Leventis Foundation. Olumide Ojo, one of the German trainees now resident at the Oloba Cattle Ranch, said he and other trainees are in high spirit as they have begun the first batch of 45 days goat-fattening beef production. Thousands of cattles are also be

Members of the Ondo State Timber Traders Organisation have cried out as their businesses face hard times as a result of the state government’s ban on all lumbering activities in the state. Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State Governor Governor Rotimi Akeredolu ordered the ban as soon as he assumed office after observing irregularities and illegal felling of trees in the state’s forest reserves. However, the operators complain that the ban, which has lasted for two weeks, is adding to their already bad financial situation. They appealed to the state government to lift the ban on the closure of the state’s forest in order not to worsen their economic woes. The timber traders who made this appeal after their meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said the call became imperative to save their business and to save its members from hunger. The traders said lifting the ban was necessary to save their business as well avert severe hunger now threatening members of the timbe

The Oyo State Government has said the agriculture sector in the state will witness a complete turnaround in its fortunes once it begins implementation of the plan to replicate the highly successful Songhai Integrated Farms in April. Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State, who disclosed this while addressing journalists in Ibadan at the weekend, said the project is the outcome of his recent trip to understudy the Songhai integrated farms, in Port Novo. The main purpose of the trip was to explore opportunity for partnership, the governor said. He added that the state government would commence implementation of the project on one of its farmlands and subsequently spread it across other farm settlements in the state.  “Agriculture has become the fulcrum of other progressive developments with substantial value chain addition, hence the arrangement with Songhai farms. “I am concerned about leaving a legacy in the state that posterity will reckon with. Plans are now in motion

International Phosphates Industry Innovation and Technology Symposium (SYMPHOS) has announced that the 2017 edition of the biennial world-class gathering that brings together all actors of the phosphates and derivatives industry will hold from May 8th to 10th, 2017 at the polytechnic Mohammed VI University Convention Centre at the Ben Guerir mine site in Morocco.  The predominantly technological and scientific event showcases the progress of Research & Development in such fields as phosphates and derivatives, technical, scientific, and technological innovation, new agricultural applications, and sustainable development and renewable energy. SYMPHOS 2017 will build on the advances achieved during its three previous editions (May 2011, May 2013, and May 2015) and will focus on R&D with the aim of strengthening and entrenching a sustainable form of agriculture, driven by innovation, new technology, and next-generation fertilisers. SYMPHOS targets global players of

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the payment of the outstanding N22 billion for dealers of agricultural inputs, otherwise known as agro-dealers. The approval will allow for smooth distribution of the crucial input at a rate of N5, 500 per 50 kilogramme bag, endorsed by the president. Hitherto, farmers had lamented that the range of prices of a 50kg bag of fertilizer between N10, 000 and N12, 000 was not helpful to their effort at rising to meet the government’s avowed desire to increase the nation’s agricultural output. Mr Kabiru Fara, National Chairman, Agro-dealers Association of Nigeria, who spoke on the new development last week said the payment of the balance of N22 billion owed by the previous government to agro-dealers would ease their challenges. He explained that agro-dealers had been having problems with their bankers and suppliers due to the long delay in receiving money owed to them by the government.  “The total amount is about N62 billion, a first