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Agriculture

Lagos govt. to revive Songhai project, others in agric. sector

Agriculture

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Nov. 24, 2019 (NAN) The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal on Sunday expressed the readiness and determination of the state government to complete all abandoned projects in the agricultural sector, including the Songhai project.

Lawal made the disclosure  on Sunday when he led a delegation of the state government’s officials that included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya,  to inspect the Songhai project facility.

The Commissioner said particularly that the Songhai Model of the Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme (Agric Yes) located in Avia-Igborosun in the Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State would be completed.

He noted that the Songhai Model of the Youth Empowerment Scheme is one of the major empowerment programmes in the agricultural sector for youths being implemented by the state government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Songhai Project commenced activities in 2012.

The Lagos state government signed an MOU with the Songhai Regional Centre, Porto Novo, Benin Republic, but was abandoned within the last four years.

The project has infrastructure such as Poultry Pens, Piggery Pens, Concrete Fish Ponds, Green House, Dormitories, Classrooms, Restaurants, Staff quarters and administration building as well as a Biogas Plant.

He said upon assumption of office in July, he commissioned the development of a roadmap with the theme, “A Sustainable Inclusive Growth Strategy with the Citizens at the Core’’.

He added that one of the outcomes of that road map was the need to empower no fewer than 15,000 youths and women within the next four years in line with the roadmap.

He recalled that the Songhai model was a product of a collaboration between the State Government and the Songhai Regional Centre, Porto Novo, Benin Republic.

“The programme is geared towards encouraging organic farming and using simple biological methods to enhance production outputs.

“The model is based on new approaches and farming systems that rely heavily on the combined inputs from local experiences, indigenous technology, business communities and research institutions.

“The result is a robust, zero waste, integrated agro-allied model promoting rural growth through training, technology adaptation and strong business and commercialisation strategy,” Lawal said.

The commissioner pointed out that the objectives of the model include the need to train and create employment for youths, therefore providing improved livelihood for the unemployed youths and reduce rural-urban migration of youths.

“It will provide food in sufficient quantities to a population that is increasingly demanding in terms of quality and diversity and production that delivers sufficient quantities of safe whole-some food items that assist in disease prevention, healthy living and healthy aging.

“Some of the objectives of the model are to reduce dependency on other states to supply the food and fibre to be consumed by Lagosians and to provide competitive inputs/raw materials for the Agro-Industry,” he said.

“Others are to complement the productivity of the ageing farmers which could not sustain or move the state to a comfortable level of self-sufficiency in food production.

“The rest include to provide feed stock for renewable energy supply as it would be designed to become an energy source instead of an energy sink.

“To provide new environmental products and services- carbon sequestration, Agro-Forestry, Biodiversity, native seeds and germ plasma, medical plants,” he said.

The commissioner said the entrepreneurial thinking associated with the Songhai project would help farmers to explore many of the state’s under-developed and under-sold agricultural sector products.

He stressed that the Songhai project was in tandem with the THEMES developmental agenda of making Lagos a 21st century economy as it is about reducing bio waste.

According to him, it is also about using renewable resources to generate power and using modern technologies to drive agricultural development and creating employment.

“The Songha Model would promote a responsible farming system which supports the transfer of new technologies and access to markets .

“The project will also encourage farmers to become fully self-sufficient in energy by using sustainable resources,’’ the Commissioner added. (NAN)

OOG/VIV/MTM

Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Tukur Muntari.

Agriculture

Oyo Govt. to use agriculture, value chain to drive state’s economy

Economy

By David Adeoye

Eruwa (Oyo State), June 15, 2019 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says the economy of the state will be  driven by agriculture and agriculture value – chain in the next four years.

Makinde made the disclosure  on Saturday while addressing he congregation at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Eruwa, Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor and his wife, Tamunominini, were at the church to witness the wedding  between  Rachael Abimbola and Oluwatobi Adegoke.

The governor  said the Eruwa zone, which is largely agrarian,  would   play a  leading role in the agricultural drive of his administration.

According to him, there is a farm settlement at Eruwa which is close to 5,800 hectares, which will be given special consideration to revive the settlement.

On the ongoing rehabilitation of the Ibadan – Eruwa road, which had  been suspended before the inauguration of his administration, the governor assured the people that the project would be completed.

He said that it was not going to be an abandoned project.

The governor advised the new couple, Rachael and Oluwatobi, to let their union be unique to them and never imitate any other wedded couple.

He urged the couple to have  spirits of forgiveness for each other and take themselves as good friends as it would enhance peaceful and rancour free relationship.

The governor further rejoiced with the groom’s father,  Mr Adewale Adisa, for the successful wedding of his son.

The Rev. T. I. Adegoke of  Emmanuel Baptist Church, Eruwa, led a prayer session for the governor, his government and for a successful tenure.(NAN)

DAK/VIV/ PAD

============

Editing by Vivian Ihechu/ Peter Dada

Environment

FG to hand over 9 irrigation systems to Sokoto Rima River basin

Irrigation
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, May 21, 2019 (NAN) The Ministry of Water Resources says it is now ready to handover nine Centre Pivot Irrigation Systems to Sokoto Rima River Basin Authority for agriculture development.

The benefiting states of Kebbi and Zamafara are to receive six and three units, respectively to improve agricultural practice in line with the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

The Director, Irrigation and Drainage with the ministry, Dr Elijah Aderibigbe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that this was also part of activities to deliver agricultural transformation and promote food security in the country.

He said that irrigation practice was the mainstay of agriculture development, noting that Nigeria could not rely solely on rain-fed agriculture, if it would meet its policy thrust of economic development.

He, however, added that other benefits of irrigated agriculture included the value chain addition through marketing and transportation in food production.

“The contractor handling the project has given us notice to handover all six units in Kebbi State, under the Sokoto Rima River Basin, and three units in Zamfara, which makes them  nine units.

“Even by next week, additional two will be ready, which will significantly help our beneficiaries to use them for food production and food security in the country.”

He said that with the provision of funds from the National Resources Development Fund and budgetary allocations, the project had been completed and ready for handover to the beneficiary river basin.

He said that with completion of projects, contractors were given their certificates and paid, adding that some incurred debts by the ministry had also been cleared.

He said that with the security challenge in some states, vandalisation of some irrigation infrastructure had occurred with some persons carting away tyres, iron parts, among others.

He called on benefiting states to take ownership of the projects and ensure that security of water infrastructure was made a top priority.

According to him, participatory irrigation concept will help to promote sustainability of projects.

Aderibigbe urged the river basins to speedily build perimeter fences to protect the infrastructure, urging state government and communities to protect such systems.

He said that the National Committee on Irrigation was working to harmonise all action plans to reposition irrigation practice in the country, saying this would also be a way to promote food security.

“We are planning to hold a National Irrigation forum to brainstorm with irrigation professionals to chart a way forward for irrigation development in Nigeria.”

He called for peace building to enable farmers cultivate and contribute their quota to national development, saying with continued insecurity, nothing would be achieved.

The director expressed appreciation to the President Muhammadu Buhari for repositioning the Water Resources sector, calling for a reappointment of the Suleiman Adamu as the minister.

“I am not a politician, but I can say that the minister has not shown eye service, but has been very committed to repositioning the sector, he has also put sustainability plans in place.”

NAN reports that over the years, many different irrigation techniques and methods have been developed to accommodate changing environments.

Age-old surface irrigation still continues to be popular based on its simplicity and cost effectiveness but as technologies are changing, mechanised irrigation systems are becoming more and more appealing to producers, hence the Center Pivot Irrigation System. (NAN)
TAK/GY
======

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Education

Don advocates agro-based energy development for sustainable growth

Don advocates agro-based energy development for sustainable growth

By Chinyere Nwachukwu
Energy
Lagos, May 1, 2019 (NAN) A Professor of Chemical Engineering, Adesoji Adesina, says Nigeria cannot continue to rely on fossil energy resources to drive its economic well being.

Adesina said this at the 2019 First Winners’ Award Lecture at the University of Lagos on Tuesday Night in Lagos.

The theme of the lecture is: Making the Case for Agro-Based Energy Development; A National Priority For Sustainable Economy.

According to him, there is a strong necessity to diversify the nation’s energy mix to include renewable components at a much higher level than the current participation rate.

He noted that electricity production from renewable sources offer greater flexibility for growth and hence consumption capacity with attendant improvement in the quality of human living.

“In contrast to fossil energy, renewable resources are significantly less carbon intensive and in many respects, reabsorb any carbon dioxide arising from electricity provision during the restocking process on a relatively short time scale.

“Indeed, renewable resources provide energy flow of about three orders of magnitude higher than current global energy demand.

“As a result, they offer a mere sustainable energy system with a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions while allowing for economic growth,” he said.

According to him, marked differences in accessibility and affordability delineates identification in different categories of the human developmental stage.

He added that the emphasis on and the benefits of green, agro-circular economy for sustainable development demanded a change that can only be initiated and led by collaboration among the Federal Government, private national stakeholders and international agencies operating in non- predator -prey relational mode.

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the event that the institution would step up efforts in looking at the possibility of escalating the recommendations of the lecturer.

“The lecturer has gone into details to showcase his research work, to tell us what we can do in this regard.

“Our expectations therefore is for us to see what we can do to bring this to focus in our own country too, in the area of energy.

“We will attempt to use agro based energy development, and this i know, our colleagues in the Faculty of Engineering will look into and see the possibility of building on that,” Ogundipe said.

The Chairman, Governing Board, Nigerian National Merit Award, Prof. Shekarau Aku, said that the award winners’ lecture was one of the most important programmes of the NNMA.

Aku explained that the award was designed primarily to assist in creating the enabling environment in which healthy and intellectual discourse and exchange of ideas are fostered. (NAN)
CCN/ECN/MST
edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Embrace agriculture to ease nation’s economic challenges-agriculturist urges Nigerians

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

Agriculture

By Mercy Obojeghren

Asaba, April 29, 2019 (NAN) Mr Jerry Ossai, an agriculturist, has stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace agriculture as one of the ways of bailing the country out of its economic challenges.

Ossai, a former Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Delta chapter, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Asaba.

He also called on the people to take advantage of the nation’s natural resources to achieve active participation in agriculture.

According to him, the call becomes because agriculture plays strategic role in the process of economic development.

He said agriculture also played significant role in human life with the main goal of meeting population’s needs for food, providing the industry with raw materials and the greatest employer of labour, globally.

Ossai, also a former Commissioner for Agriculture in Delta, said that another major way to revive the economy of the nation was to harness its natural resources.

“Nigeria is a rich and blessed country where all the natural resources are in abundance.

“We cannot continue to live in poverty when the nation is blessed with great natural resources.

“Apart from oil, Nigeria is blessed with palm oil, cassava, coal, maize even vegetables among other good crops,’’ he said.

Ossai commended the present administration for its agricultural programmes and policies.

He, however, appealed to government at all levels to make agriculture attractive through adequate budgetary allocation and support rural dwellers with farm inputs.

“There is no doubt that the present administration is doing well in the agricultural sector, but a lot still needs to be done to make meaningful impact in the economy of the nation.

“Investing more in agriculture will go a long way in attracting more people, especially youths, who are jobless into agriculture.“

He also advised government to create open door policy so that youths could embrace agriculture, mostly unemployed youths and boost the nation’s food production.(NAN)

MOA/VIV/FHO/DUA

Edited by Hawa Lawal/Dada Ahmed

Health

NGO task women on agricultural production

NGO task women on agricultural production
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Women
Abuja, Oct. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Society for Empowerment and Self Reliance (SESER), an NGO, on Friday advised African women to be actively engaged in agricultural production using various gender and youth agricultural intervention programmes.
The society gave the advice in a communique signed by the National Coordinator, SESER, Mrs Rosemary Effiong, after a three-day All Africa Women Summit in Abuja.
The theme of the summit was: “Power of Negotiation: The Role of Women in Political Leadership, Economic Development and Peace Building”.
The theme was inspired by the Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security, which commits countries to 10 per cent national budget allocation to agricultural development, in view of women’s critical role in agricultural production in Africa.
It stated that agricultural intervention programmes should be supported by ECOWAS, research institutions, and international agencies and NGOs.
“That food security and wealth creation by women is the best assurance to mitigate in conflict situation and ensure peace building.
“African women should start small scale business and grow steadily, avoiding loans and borrowing schemes offered by commercial banks that they are not in comfortable positions to utilise due to the harsh terms and conditions.
“Women were advised to explore facilities offered by development banking facilities like the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and other institutions that offer interest-free facilities,” it said.
However, the communique said women organisations should be encouraged to partner with relevant international agencies and NAPTIP to stop girl child trafficking and abuse.
It also urged African women to participate in politics without fear or intimidation from male gender.
“It was agreed that there should be collaboration with National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies Nigeria to create short, medium- and long-term courses for African women to build capacity and preparedness to excel in legislative and democratic activities.
“The summit resolved to put in place a platform to stimulate and create passion in African women to make education their first, second and third priority in life just as male gender are curious for it thereby building capacity for political, economic, social and emotional development.
“The summit also agreed to create All African Women Summit Platform to support women seeking elective offices and for sharing information among partners regarding grants, interventions, conferences, seminars, among others,” it stated.
The communique added that the Project G5 which stand for ‘Girls Grow, Groomed into Good Governance’ be adopted as a national programme by the Government of Nigeria and included in the United Nations frame work for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Institute task journalists on agriculture reportage

Institute task journalists on agriculture reportage
NAN-H-50
Journalists
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), March 2, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Elizabeth Douglas, the Head of Communications, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), on Friday advised journalists to take advantage of social media to boost agriculture policy reportage.
She gave the advice as a facilitator at a two-day training workshop for academics and journalists at the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaisons Services (NAERLS), Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training entitled: “Policy Communication Course for Academics and Journalists”, was organised by IFPRI in collaboration with NAERLS.
NAN also reports that the training, which was under “Feed the Future Nigeria Agriculture Policy” programme, is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Douglas observed that effective agriculture policy reportage would assist in revamping national food security.
She identified social media like Twitter, What’s up, Facebook, Instagram, Google and tun-in, among others, as some of the channels to be used for wide-spread of reports.
The communication expert stressed the need for journalists to always update their knowledge and skills in line with the dynamic global trend.
The essence of the training, according to her, is to promote policy dialogue amongst stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Douglas added that it was also aimed at providing linkages between the policy-makers and stakeholders toward enhanced agricultural participation, thereby paving way for increased productivity.
She said: “The training programme is funded by USAID, at the same time, IFPRI is partnering with Michigan State University to ensure the success of the exercise.
“This is targeted at enhancing the skills and capacity of journalists toward becoming better informed in policy change,” she said. (NAN)
KLM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Moroá community wants Kaduna govt to address insecurity

NAN-H-22
Farm
Kafanchan (Kaduna state), Jan. 6, 2018 (NAN) Mr Daniel Gaggah, the National President, Moro’a Development Association (MDA) has advised the Kaduna State Government to come up with a holistic strategy for addressing the security challenges in the area.
Gaggah gave the advice on Saturday while speaking at the Moro’a Annual Cultural celebration held at Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of the state.
He said the call became necessary owing to the need for the people of the area to return to their farms.
According to him, the security challenges in the area are having a negative impact on the way of life of the people.
“The people of Takad, Kagoro and Atyap chiefdoms are still battling with security challenges which if not checked would find their way back into our land.”
On education, he said although the disengagement of teachers in the state was with a view to reshaping the sector, a sizable number of teachers from the community were affected with many of them “still struggling to come to terms with”.
He, therefore, urged the state government to review its recruitment arrangements so that it would be able to re-absorb a significant number of disengaged indigenes of the community.
On agriculture, he urged the government to support the community to enable it to improve on the already high yielding crop varieties they were producing.
He identified such high-yielding crops as rice, ginger, groundnuts, Irish potatoes, soya beans, and Yam, among others.
“Our people are willing to key into government program that are aimed towards providing assistance to farmers in order to boost agricultural production in the state,’’ he said. (NAN)
FDY/YEE
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Agriculture

Agriculture: NGO demands end to rural banditry

Agriculture: NGO demands end to rural banditry
NAN-H-74
Banditry
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Sept. 14, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Abubakar Sadiq, Director, Centre for Democratic Development and Training (CEDDERT), on Thursday urged Federal and State Governments to introduce undiluted approach to end rural banditry to safe Nigeria’s agricultural production.
He made the call at the opening of a seminar series entitled: “Economic Impact of Rural Banditry” held at Kongo Conference Hotel, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar was organised by CEDDERT with a view to reawakening stakeholders and proffering solution to the menace.
Sadiq said the call became imperative in view of the importance of peace not only to agricultural production but also to national growth and development.
The director recalled that CEDDERT was incorporated by a group of intellectuals under the leadership of late Dr Yusuf Bala-Usman in March 1992.
According to him, CEDDERT is seeking to promote and advance scientific research and training for providing solutions to problems of democratic community and national development.
Sadiq identified Kaduna, Katsina and Zamafara as the worst hit states that required urgent intervention of government at all levels.
He lamented that there was virtually no presence of security in most of the areas affected by cattle rustling, armed robbery, theft and kidnapping.
Sen. Sa’idu Dansadau said the situation was highly pathetic in the last few years, advocating that genuine dialogue with the suspected criminals would pave way for lasting peace.
He expressed concern that at present, the rate of theft in Dansadau area of Zamfara had risen which he attributed to moral decadence amongst the youth.
While calling on parents to brace up to the responsibility of proper upbringing of their children, the former lawmaker advised government to create job opportunities through skills acquisition programmes.
NAN also reports that findings on the Economic Impact of Rural Banditry on Dansadau and Birnin Gwari communities of Zamfara and Kaduna states were presented by Prof. Massoud Omar and Prof. Mustapha Gwadabe.
They observed that farming activities have shrunk in Dansadau, saying about 73 per cent of productive capacity of peasants in the study area has been lost, while up to 85 per cent of cattle and 65 per cent of livestock have been rustled.
The dons said a Birnin Gwari study shows that farms cultivated shrunk by 50 per cent and grain output fell by 77.3 per cent during the conflict.
They said there was mass migration of pastoralists fleeing the conflict area thereby leading to disappearance of cattle which in turn aggravates meat shortage in Nigeria.
According to them, economic activities have been grounded not only in the affected areas but also in the neighbouring communities, urban areas and the nation at large.
Participants at the seminar included district heads, community leaders and other stakeholders from the three affected states. (NAN)
KLM/YMU/MST
Edited by Yakubu Uba/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Ogun pledges support to NYSC members interested in  agriculture

NAN-H-38
NYSC
By Temitope Salami
Sagamu (Ogun), Aug. 15, 2017 (NAN) The Ogun government on Tuesday pledged to assist  NYSC  members  interested in  agricultural production  with  land and credit facilities.

Mr Afolabi Afuape, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports,  made the promise at the closing ceremony of the NYSC 2017 Batch A  Stream II  Orientation Course held at the corps Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu.

Afuape, who represented Gov. Ibikunle Amosun at the event, called on corps members to embrace the NYSC agricultural initiative as a way of boosting food production in the country.

The commissioner spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the side-lines  of the event.

“Agriculture production and industrialisation are among the focal points of our “Mission to Rebuild” agenda.

“It gives ample opportunity to youths and corps members to key into it and exploit the benefits inherent in the initiative.

“One year is enough to do something productive in agriculture if one is disciplined and focused.

“If any corps member or youth is willing to take up any venture in agriculture, we at the Ministry of  Youths and Sports are ready to give them the necessary support.

“We will link them up with the Ministry of Agriculture for proper orientation on the steps to take in benefiting from the state land acquisition and development scheme.

“Beside the financial aid through credit facilities which the state government is also willing to give, the interest from the individual is what matters most,’’ he said.

Afuape further urged the youths to shun crime and other acts of indiscipline which he blamed on the diminishing value system.

“We have a very bad value system nowadays. It will change when we stop worshiping money and people whose source of wealth cannot be queried.

“A change of orientation amongst our youths is necessary and more importantly, government must also not rest on its oars in curbing unemployment.

“We must continue to seek avenues of engaging them positively and providing an enabling environment for their development,’’ he said.

Mrs Gladys Mbachi, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, had commended the corps members on their discipline during the course of the orientation exercise.

She urged them to maintain the high standards of the NYSC at their places of primary assignment.

NAN reports that a total of 2,200 corps members, who registered for the orientation exercise, were discharged with their posting letters.

The corps members were made up  of 1,469 males and 731 females. (NAN).
TDS/GOM/OJO
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(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Mufutau Ojo)