Category Agriculture

NAFDAC uncovers establishment selling expired Agro-chemical inputs in Borno

Raid

By Hamza Suleiman

Maiduguri, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it had uncovered an establishment engaged in alleged illegal sale of unwholesome and expired agro-chemical inputs in Maiduguri.

Malam Nasiru Mato, the agency’s Zonal Director, disclosed Thursday in an interview with  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

He said  the agency made the discovery during mop-up activities at the Maiduguri Central market following intelligence report.

Mato said various expired and unregistered products worth over N25 million, were seized during the raid.

He listed some of the products to include; glycel, agrosyler micronutrients fertiliser, NPK gel fertiliser, fel fertilzers with urea and geidvap insect killer, among others.

“The Agency’s mandate for zero-tolerance and fight against unwholesome substandard regulated products must be sustained.

“The Agency cannot close its eyes and watch unpatriotic citizens continue to do harm and damage to the health of the people.

“We are calling on marketers of agro-allied inputs to play the game by the rule by keying into laid-down procedures as stipulated in NAFDAC Act CAP N1 LFN 2004 and accompanying regulations and guidelines,” he said.

Mato emphasised that unregistered and expired agro-chemicals could have possible detrimental effect on the environment and toxic to users too.

He called on the public not to hesitate furnishing NAFDAC with credible information that would assist the agency in fishing out violators, adding that the long arm of the law would not leave any act of sabotage go unpunished.(NAN)

HMS/YMU/ASH

Edited by Yakubu Uba

Food
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, April 2, 2020 (NAN) Prof. Veronica Obatolu, the Executive Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, says Covid-19 remains a threat to food security due to the negative effects on production and research.

Obatolu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan that the pandemic was raging at a time the country was entering the new cropping season.

She said the effects on production would be immediate as manifested in reduction in supply with an increase in demand and subsequent increase in cost and reduced accessibility due to limited poor crop production plan and execution.

Obatolu said agriculture as a labour-intensive enterprise involves various stakeholders who were now negatively impacted on by the lockdown.

“Markets also are closed down while the effect on research may not be noticed now although there is serious negative effect on the agricultural value chain system.

“Agricultural research is time set, requires constant periodic observations and support services such as constant power supply among other conditions.

“In the absence of any of the required conditions at any point, the validity and accuracy of the result of such research if not terminated cannot be guaranteed, resulting in loss of time and resources and reduction in research output.

“The longer the scourge of the pandemic, the longer the curtailment strategies and the greater the negative impact on research activities and research output of the period,” she said.

She further said that the consequences of these were food scarcity, high cost as well as poor distribution.

” Based on these, food crisis looms in Nigeria unless immediate measures are taken to keep food supply chain active to reduce the effects of the pandemic across the food production system,” she said.

While commending efforts to contain the spread of the virus, Obatolu urged government at all levels to provide facilities and equipment for personnel involved in containing the pandemic.

Also speaking, Dr Idris Badiru, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ibadan, said the effect of the lockdown on the agricultural sector could vary from one enterprise to the other.

“It will definitely have a negative effect on food security.

“The gravity will however depend on the enterprise, this is definitely not the time to hoard produce in a bid to make excessive profits,” he said.

Badiru called on all stakeholders to see the lockdown as a trying period and therefore strive to be more patriotic.

To survive the pandemic, he said the agricultural sector must have access to a fair share of the economic stimulus package of the Federal Government.

“Agricultural loans need to be restructured in line with the realities of the time and mass mediated extension services needed to be fully deployed now to reduce physical contact with the farmers among other strategies.

“Farmers should endeavor to practise social distancing as much as possible whenever they are meeting with their clients; we should develop online marketing channels this time for produce to reduce physical contacts in future.

“The agric sector will be affected negatively because some inputs may not be readily available as they were before the outbreak due to logistic constraints.

“We appreciate the government’s efforts in containing the spread of the pandemic so far.

” It means that they are taking the livelihood of the people into consideration.

” We should all cooperate to survive this trying time,” he said. (NAN)
CC/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Lockdown
By Mercy Omoike
Lagos, April 1, 2020 (NAN) A poultry expert, Mr Joel Oduware, has predicted looming crisis in the poultry industry following the lockdown of interstate borders amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Oduware, an expert in poultry processing made this known in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
The expert said the COVID-19 pandemic had really affected the poultry industry owing to the closure of the inter-state borders to curb the spread of the deadly disease.
“The closure of the inter-state borders will not help the poultry industry, including the food and livestock market because most of us depend on it for daily sustenance.
“Now Lagos, Abuja and Ogun have been shut down but the transporters of livestock and poultry should be allowed to access these states or there will be crisis in the poultry industry.
“Like in Lagos for example, most of the live chicken we sell or process are sourced from poultries outside the state like Osun, Oyo and other neighbouring states.
“If there is total breakdown in the supply chain of the poultry industry, it will collapse the sector as so many poultry farms will be forced to close shop.
“Before the lockdown, there should have been measures put in place to ensure food supply to the markets, or to the poultry farms,” Oduware told NAN.
The expert added that the continuous lockdown of the interstate borders might result in losses for the poultry industry if the food supply chain was not quickly reopened.
He said the birds would die if the lockdown continued for long as there would be no access to water or to feed for the poultry, resulting in immense losses.
“With the closure of the inter-state border, we will witness glut in the poultry sub-sector but I believe the poultry farms can bounce back because the loss can be temporary.
“However if the losses are colossal, it will be hard for the poultry farms to bounce back which in turn will be inimical to the poultry industry.
“The government should have insisted on stepping up of biosecurity measures in the abattoirs, and fowl markets at the entrance points.
“Livestock, poultry, food and general agriculture produce should be allowed to go through all interstate borders.
“Closing the food market, slaughter slabs and even poultry is not necessary to be done in the first place,” he said. (NAN)
DMO/CHOM/GY
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Grace Yussuf

COVID-19
By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, April 1, 2020 (NAN)Nigeria must break the chain of the spread of COVID-19 in the country to avert the likely scenario of being the next epicentre of the pandemic due to her large population size.

Dr Vincent Isegbe,  Director-General, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) gave the advice in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by Dr Chigozie Nwodo, Head of Media, Communications and Strategies of the service.

Isegbe said, ‘’If there is one salient lesson that has emerged from the transmission pattern of this plague so far, it is that breaking the chain of spread is the most economical and sensible approach to containing the contagion.

‘’As a collective, it would be far cheaper for all Nigerians to make the sacrifice to hibernate for a while than for us to throw caution to the wind and walk with our eyes open into a monstrous public health crisis that we cannot recover from soon.

“Staying indoors is a reasonable trade-off to enabling the escalation of the attack rate of the virus,”.

The NAQS boss affirmed that if Nigerians would heed the directive of the Federal Government and the recommendation of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) the country would have a relatively manageable caseload to contend with.

He noted that the Federal Government and NCDC has directed the populace to stay indoors and venture out only to purchase essential commodities like food and medicine where it is absolutely necessary.

According to him, it is always easier and faster to flatten the curve if the number of the infected is low.

Isegbe identified COVID-19 as the most perplexing public health challenge that the world has experienced in the last 100 years.

“It has overwhelmed the healthcare system of the most developed countries of the world.

“Nigeria happens to be a very populous country and we need not overwhelm the health facilities and personnel.

“We encourage you therefore, to stay at home, indoors and refrain from visiting anyone, not even within the neighbourhood “, Isegbe said. (NAN)
FUA/SH
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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Package
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, March 30, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Government has confirmed the authenticity of Short Message Service (SMS) messages forwarded to residents who are 60 years and above as part of measures adopted in the distribution of stimulus food package in the state.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, made the clarification in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

He said that SMS messages from the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) were sent to the aged.

The stimulus food package unveiled by the state government on March 27, comes in packs of raw food items, to be distributed to every local government in the state.

It is aimed at cushioning the effects of the 14-day lockdown directive by the state and Federal Governments.

Lawal said the message asked them to reply with a “YES”, “FOOD YES” or “SWITCH YES” if their registered home address with the agency was still valid.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture was collaborating with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) in order to be able to reach the targeted beneficiaries.

He said it was also to ensure fairness and evenness in the distribution of the stimulus packages.

Lawal noted the importance of each resident registering with the agency in order to assess social benefits like this in the future.

The commissioner, therefore, urged those concerned to quickly respond to the SMS, saying that they have till mid-day of March 31 2020.

He also reiterated that as soon as all responses are collated, beneficiaries would start receiving their stimulus emergency food package from the state government. (NAN)
OOG/FF/AJA
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Adeleye Ajayi

COVID-19: FAO urges stakeholders to keep global food chains alive

Food
By Bukola Adewumi
Abuja, March 30, 2020(NAN) Mr Qu Dongyu, the Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), of the United Nations has stressed the need to keep global food chains alive amidst the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.

Dongyu said this on Monday in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja through the National Commutation Officer Mr David Tsokar.

The statement said COVID-19 pandemic was putting enormous strains on the public health systems around the world, and millions of people in the world’s most advanced economies are in some form of quarantine.

“We know the human toll will be high, and that massive efforts to turn the tide carry a heavy economic cost.

“To reduce the risk of an even greater toll – shortage of food for millions, even in affluent countries – the world must take immediate actions to minimise disruptions to food supply chains.”

According to the statement, a globally coordinated and coherent response was needed to prevent the public health crisis from triggering a food crisis in which people cannot find or afford food.

“For now, COVID-19 has not entailed any strain on food security, despite anecdotal reports of crowded supermarket sieges.

“While there’s no need for panic – there is enough supply of food in the world to feed everyone – we must face the challenge: an enormous risk that food may not be made available where it is needed.’’

According to the statement, the COVID-19 outbreak, with all the accompanying closures and lockdowns, has created logistical bottlenecks that ricochet across the long value chains of the modern global economy.

Restrictions of movement, as well as basic aversion behavior by workers, may impede farmers from farming and food processors who handle most agricultural products from processing.

Shortage of fertilizers, veterinary medicines and other input could also affect agricultural production.

Closures of restaurants and less frequent grocery shopping diminish demand for fresh produce and fisheries products.

These will affect producers and suppliers, especially smallholder farmers, with long-term consequences for the world’s increasingly urbanised population, be they in Manhattan or Manila.

Uncertainty about food availability can induce policymakers to implement trade restrictive measures in order to safeguard national food security.

Given the experience of the 2007-2008 global food price crisis, we know that such measures can only exacerbate the situation.

Export restrictions put in place by exporting countries to increase food availability domestically could lead to serious disruptions in the world food market, resulting in price spikes and increased price volatility.

It stated that in 2007-2008, these immediate measures proved extremely damaging, especially for low income food deficit countries and to the efforts of humanitarian organisations to procure supplies for the needy and vulnerable.

The statement urged that the world learn from recent past and not make the same mistakes twice, adding that Policy makers must take care to avoid accidentally tightening food-supply conditions.

It said that every country faces its own challenges, and there should be collaboration between governments and the full gamut of sectors and stakeholders because the experience was a global problem that required a global response.

“We must ensure that food markets are functioning properly and that information on prices, production, consumption and stocks of food is available to all in real time.

“This approach will reduce uncertainty and allow producers, consumers, traders and processors to make informed decisions and to contain unwarranted panic behavior in global food markets.(NAN)
BOL/MAM/DCU
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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Donald Ugwu

Packages
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, March 29, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Government says it has engaged no fewer than 4,000 registered Community Development Associations (CDAs), Non-Governmental Organisations and religious leaders to distribute the economic stimulus package unveiled for the indigent and most vulnerable in the society.

The commissioner  said that the stimulus package, coupled with the flagging-off of the neighborhood  food markets in 25 selected schools, would  ameliorate the suffering that people might experience during the restriction.

He said that the stimulus was unique and different from those posted on social media, adding, that those of the state were sealed and branded.

“If you receive produce from any other source that is not branded, they are not from us. Our rice is the sealed 5kg rice. Garri is 5kg sealed and beans 3kg sealed.

”Other finished products are also coming such as sachet pepper, tomatoes and onions. That is what the state government is giving out.

“So far, six local governments have received packages. I want to assure Lagosians that if you are yet to get the relief package, they are on the way,” Lawal said.

He urged residents to exercise patience as the stimulus package would get to the targeted people.

Lawal also advised people to maintain social distancing and good personal hygiene to reduce the spread of corona virus in the state.

“Again, it is important for us to let Lagosians know that social distancing is something we are advocating, people should relax, the food will get to them because we understand what the economic situation is.

“I am sure you are aware that 200,000 households have been earmarked and we are working with the CDA’s, NGO’s, organisations and councilors to ensure the package gets to indigent communities”, the Commissioner said.

He advised residents to act positively so that the chain of COVID-19 transmission could be broken. (NAN)

OOG/CHIN/SOA
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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Oluwole Sogunle

Lagos sets up emergency makeshift neighbourhood food markets

Markets

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, March 29, 2020 (NAN) Lagos State Government on Sunday flagged-off emergency neighbourhood food markets to address the problem associated with the restriction and promote social distancing in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, said during an inspection tour to some of the markets in Lagos that there were 25 of such food markets across the state.

Lawal said that the neighbourhood food markets were established to provide Lagosians access to food supplies during this restrictive period and prevent panic buying following closure of all markets and stores trading in non-essential commodities.

He added that the markets were makeshift within the neighbourhood to enable families without the capacity to buy food stuffs in bulk have access to a market during the current restriction in the state.

The commissioner explained that the markets would also enable residents and shoppers buy produce and other everyday needs such as beverages, vegetables, fish, poultry products, bread and other essential needs at competitive, affordable and farm gate prices.

“Today, we are flagging-off the emergency neighbourhood food markets setup by the state government in selected schools to bring markets closer to the people.

“Essentially, what we are going to see here is how a market is brought closer to the community. We don’t want a situation where people have to travel far in public transportation thereby exposing them to the danger of the spread of COVID-19.

“By the time people know there is a neighbourhood market within the area which people can just walk 200 meters to the place, they would be oblige to make use of such market.

“It is also important to let people know that it is not all Lagosians that have the capacity to bulk purchase produce and store in their homes.

“There are some families that do not have the capacity to bulk purchase because they are daily earners, such people you know because of the restriction, they are not able to get enough money.

“Those families can come here, buy few things they need like beverages, vegetables, fish, bread, eggs and poultry products during this period. It is a typical grocery store like we have in other developed countries,” he said.

Lawal explained that the markets would hold again on April 1 and April 4 and urged residents to take advantage of it to meet their food and other agriculture needs.

He said that both the state ministries of Agriculture and Health had put in place safety guidelines at each of the food and agricultural markets but advised shoppers to adhere strictly to safety measures and ensure social distancing while shopping.

Lawal said that the produce dealers had assured the state government of their readiness to keep supplies flowing unhindered, hence, t”is no need for panic buying.”

The commissioner, therefore, advised residents to take individual responsibility during the restrictive period by acting positively so that the chain of COVID-19 transmission could be broken in the state.

A resident, Mr Kayode Adebari, commended the state government for setting up the makeshift market to ease challenges of having to travel long distance to shop.

Adebari told NAN at the Ogudu makeshift market that the market was relatively cheap and affordable.

He, however, called for more awareness on the existence of such market within the neighbourhood.

He also commended Lagos government’s swift action at curtailing the spread of COVID-19 in the state and urged other governments to emulate it.

“This morning, I heard that the Lagos state government have setup a makeshift market in Ogudu so I decided to come and patronise it. So far, the prices of food items like eggs and beverages are cheap.

“I like the idea because it reduces the risk of people traveling far and exposing themselves to the coronavirus.

“I commend the government and urge them to create more awareness on the market,” he said.(NAN)

OOG/WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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