Category: Agriculture

Jigawa Govt recruits 300 animal health workers

Recruitment

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

Dutse, July 14, 2023 (NAN) The Jigawa Government has recruited 300 Community-Based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in the state.

Speaking at the inauguration  in Dutse, Gov. Umar Namadi said the workers are expected to provide mobile veterinary clinic services across the nooks and crannies of the state.

He explained that the gesture also fits with of his administration’s development agenda of achieving sustained agricultural transformation in the state.

The governor added that the beneficiaries were trained to provide mobile veterinary services for the purpose of controlling and preventing the spread of animal diseases across the 287 wards in the state.

“Each of the 300 personnel will be provided with a motorcycle fully fitted with a medical toolbox, vaccination kits, drug box and other accessories for routine and emergency veterinary services.

“The youths have also been licensed as veterinary service providers to effectively respond to animal disease incidences even in the remote and hard to reach locations to control and contain preventable animal diseases,” the governor said.

According to him, the initiative is a component of the state government’s J-Agro Agricultural Extension Agents Programme, under which some 1,440 youths were enlisted to provide quality agricultural extension services to farmers.

“The competitive advantages enjoyed by Jigawa state in agricultural sector goes beyond crop production to encompass livestock development.

“We’ve also built on this through the goat breeding microcredit programme which has empowered thousands of women in the state,” Namadi said.

He further stated that 1,640 women were recently empowered with three goats each under the programme in four LGAs.

The governor assured that the programme would be sustained to reach the remaining 11 LGAs in the state.

“Therefore, today’s inauguration of 300 mobile veterinary service providers is also part of our efforts to protect and develop the livestock population in the state,” the governor added.

In her remarks, the President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Dr Aishatu Abubakar, commended the governor for the gesture.

Abubakar, represented by Dr Helen Ego, the VCN’s Deputy Register, said the gesture will enhance food/feed safety and security in the state, as well as control massive migration of Nigerians out of the country, popularly called “Jakpa”.

“You’ve taken the lead in putting Jigawa state on the global stage by supporting, promoting and empowering indigenes of the state with this initiative. This move of yours will enhance food/feed safety and security in Jigawa state.

“This will help control the massive migration of Nigerians out of the country, brain drain rocking the entire nation because of insecurities and lack of enabling environment for performance, unemployment and various issues plaguing our nation,” Abubakar said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MNB/OIF/SH

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Sadiya Hamza

Hybrid

By Mercy Omoike

Lagos, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Some agriculture experts have urged the Federal Government to provide hybrid seedlings to farmers as interventions in order to ensure food security.

The experts made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Mr Rabiu Zuntu,  the Chairman Tomatoes Growers Association Kaduna State, appealed to the government to provide hybrid service to local farmers because of their disease and weather resistant nature.

“We want the government to give hybrid seeds as palliatives to farmers rather than the open pollinated seeds.

“Farmers hardly have the financial capacity to buy hybrid seeds which are most times disease and pest resistant.

“Most times, a sachet of hybrid seeds costs more than N10, 000 and to cultivate an hectare of land, a farmer needs up to N200, 000 to N300, 000 per hectare.

“Due to this, a lot of farmers cannot afford so have to cultivate the open-pollinated seeds which cannot resist pest infestation as we are currently facing with the ‘Tuta Aboluta’ on tomatoes.

“Hybrid seedlings are more climate change resistant and can endure through any weather or temperature conditions.

“Hybrid seedlings should be given to farmers as interventions; if we continue with the open pollinated varieties, the interventions will not yield any tangible results.

“Climate change is really affecting crop cultivation especially tomatoes, hence open pollinated seeds cannot survive the hardship of the weather.

“From the flowering stage, some of these crops just die off,” he said.

On his part, Dr Ismail Olawale, a strategic agriculture communication expert, called for caution in the full adoption of hybrid seedlings.

“The appeal to the government from the farmers to be provided with hybrid seeds is not going to be a one-stop solution.

“It will help increase productivity but however it comes with its challenges; the question is whether consumers more comfortable with hybrid produce.

“Will taste disparity in the hybrid produce be acceptable to the ultimate consumers?

“The farmers should not just call for improved production through hybrid seeds but should consider all factors connected to it.”

He urged lesser dependence on hybrid seedlings but sustainable solutions to ensuring food security in the country.

“The farmers should not just seek a one-time solution to problems; what is the sustainability of hybrid seeds; can it be replanted after harvest?

“If the government provides the seeds this year, will the government be willing to give for the next planting season?

“How can the farmers sustain the procurement of these hybrid seeds?” he queried. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

DMO/CJ/

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Clashes

By Muhammad Nasir

Sokoto June 12, 2024 (NAN) The Sokoto State Government on Wednesday inaugurated a 28-member committee to revive measures aimed at addressing the recurring farmer-herder clashes in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee, led by the state Commissioner for Animals and Fisheries Development, Alhaji Aliyu Tureta, has representatives from various sectors such as security agencies, traditional rulers, farmers and herders.

Originally established in 1990, the committee has been revived through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).

In his remarks, Tureta explained that the measure was aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the stakeholders and ensuring a productive working relationship between the beneficiaries.

“This committee was established in 1990 but has not been functioning as expected, leading to the frequent communal clashes between farmers and herders in some parts of our state.

“Reducing conflicts between farmers and herders is crucial to boosting livestock production in our domain,” Tureta said.

He added that the symbiotic relationship between herders and farmers cannot be overemphasised.

“While herders provide meat and milk, farmers supply food for livestock. Therefore, bringing them together is essential for the mutual development of all parties involved,” he stressed.

Also speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), commended the ministry and the L-PRES Project for reviving the committee.

Represented by Dr Jabbi Kilgori, the District Head of Kilgori, Abubakar emphasised the importance of harmonious cooperation between farmers and herders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

BMN/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani a

Eggs
By Mercy Omoike
Lagos, June 12, 2024 (NAN) The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has blamed the consistent hike in egg prices on low production and high cost of feed.
The PAN Lagos state Chairman, Mr Mojeed Iyiola, and other stakeholders in the sector disclosed this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
NAN reports that the price of egg has increased tremendously, making the common source of protein in the past out of the reach of many Nigerians.
NAN also reports that a crate of egg sells between N3,800 and N4,000 from the farm gate and above N4,500 in retail shops and markets against N3,200 to N3,500 it was sold in May.
A tonne of maize currently sells for N800,000 as against N400,000 in January.
Iyiola attributed the persistent hike in the price of eggs to scarcity.
“The reason for the current hike in the price of eggs is that eggs are very scarce now.
“Most farmers have sold off their old layers, and to get new stock is very expensive as the price of a day-old chick is becoming unbearable.
“Farmers able to buy day-old chicks are considered to be well-to-do. Also, a majority of our local farmers have shut down their farms due to the high cost of feed.
“Presently, a kilogramme of maize costs as high as N850 as against N400 to N500 that was being sold for at the beginning of the year.
“The same thing applies to soya and the groundnut cake, the prices have increased astronomically,” the PAN chairman said.
He, however, said that the increase in the cost of eggs is not commensurate to the rate at which the cost of feed materials are increasing.
“In fact most farmers are running at a loss. That is why the only existing farmers are trying to keep the sector running.
“Even if a crate of egg sells at N5,000, the farmers will only be managing to get by.
“We want to liaise with the food hub at Idi-oro, our farmers are complaining that they can no longer afford to sell at a loss.
“We supply eggs at the farm gate at N3,800 per crate and with the same logistics we still sell at N3,800 at the hub. This means we are running at a loss.
“With all these incurred logistics expenses a crate of eggs should be sold for N4,500 at the food hub,” he said.
According to him, the way things are going if things are not controlled, the sector may collapse entirely.
“It seems consuming eggs have become luxury in our diets.
“We have scheduled a meeting with the government to tackle the situation because there is nothing an individual can do on this issue. We need government intervention,” Iyiola added.
Also speaking, Mr Godwin Egbebe, the National Publicity Secretary PAN, attributed the hike in the cost of raw materials to the reason for the rise in egg prices.
“Early this month, a tonne of maize sold for N720,000 but as of today 12 June, 2024, it sells at N800,000. During the former President Buhari’s administration a tonne of maize was sold at N80,000.
“The increment is over 1,000 per cent, so you can see the reasons for the hike in poultry producers.
“The way forward is that government as a matter of urgency should bring in grains in the short term.
“And in the long term, they should ensure that farmers go back to their farms secured.
“Farmers are not producing enough grains because of insecurity. Palliatives cannot solve the problem, it is like a drop in an ocean. It makes little or no impact,” Egbebe said.
He said that in some supermarkets, eggs are being sold for N5,000 and above.
“Everyday we go to buy feeds, the price changes. As we speak, farmers are actually selling at a loss.
“Most farmers are not breaking even, so they are folding up, it is not funny anymore,” he said.
On her part, Mrs Theresa Muyi, a poultry farmer in Alimosho, decried the situation and the helplessness of local farmers to the persistent hike in feed prices.
“Poultry feed has gone up and we now sell a crate of egg from the farm gate between N3,800 and N4,000. The retailers sell from N4,500 and above.
“The price is still unstable because almost every week there is an increase in feed prices.
“Eggs seem to have become luxury to the common man as a piece of egg now sells at N200 and above,” Muyi said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
DMO/JNC
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

European Investment Bank to build world class fruit market in Benue

Roads

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The European Investment Bank will soon construct a World Class Fruits Market in Benue.

The Benue State Coordinator, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in Benue, Mr Stephen Numbeve, disclosed this when members of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Benue Chapter, paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Makurdi.

Numbeve said that the bank chose to build a world class market to be dealing basically with fruits in the state so as to tackle post harvest losses.

He further stated that the market would either be built in Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA), Ihugh to be precise, or at Wurukum Market in Makurdi.

He disclosed that feasibility studies had already been carried out on the project.

He also disclosed that the agency would construct 53 roads across the 23 LGAs of the state.

The RAAMP helmsman pointed out that the aim was to open up rural roads to enable farmers access markets easily, stressing that it would also assist in tackling insecurity.

“If the roads are opened up, it will enable security personnel to move to security flash points with ease,” Numbeve said.

He also said that RAAMP would construct six warehouses across the state, emphasising that as soon as disbursement was done, work would commence in earnest.

According to him, the agency’s workers were not paid for many months by his predecessor, but on assumption of office, he paid and cleared all the arrears.

Earlier , Chairman of the chapel, Mr Emmanuel Antswen congratulated Numbeve on his appointment .

Antswen sought partnership of RAAMP with the chapel in projecting activities of the agency. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DND/DOR
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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Zamfara Govt. partners USAID to enhance agriculture

Agriculture
By Ishaq Zaki
Gusau, June 11, 2022 (NAN) The Zamfara Government has given an assurance that its partnership with the USAID-funded project, “Policy Support for Economic Growth”, will enhance agricultural production in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Haruna-Ya’u Gamji, gave the assurance in Gusau on Tuesday when the project officials visited the state.

Gamji described the visit as a welcome development, saying that it was in line with the present administration’s policy to enhance agriculture.

“You know in Zamfara, farming is our pride.

“About 90 per cent of Zamfara people are farmers.

“Therefore, agriculture is one of the top priorities in the agenda of Gov. Dauda Lawal’s administration.

“As earlier discussed, we are ever ready to partner with you to enhance farming activities in the state,” Gamji said.

He promised the State Government’s commitment to participating fully in the project, considering its impact on agricultural value chain and general economic growth of the state.

Earlier, the Leader of the delegation, Prof. Oyinkan Tasie, said the project aimed at encouraging agricultural policy process.

“The USAID is implementing this project in six states across the country, including Zamfara.

“We interact with stakeholders, we want to see how we can make women groups and people with disability, among others, more productive in agriculture,” Tasie said.

He also said that the delegation was interested in farmers’ challenges and how they could expand their access to market.

“We want to know more about farmers’ challenges of access to funds and storage.

“We want see that Zamfara agricultural products have access to the global market,” Tasie said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IZ/CEO/USO
Edited by Chidi Opara/Sam Oditah

Plateau Govt. cultivates 6,000 hectares of land for displaced communities

Farming
By Polycarp Auta
Mangu (Plateau), June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Plateau Government says it has commenced the cultivation of 6,000 hectares of land ahead of the upcoming farming season to help in resettling communities displaced by crisis.

The Commissioner for Agriculture,
Mr Samson Bugama, said this on Tuesday in Mangu during the official launch of cultivation for the year.

According to him, the ”Mechanisation Service Provision Intervention” is targeted at communities affected by series of unrest.

He further said that the move also aimed to provide seeds and similar services to cluster of farmers across the state.

Bugama said that the effort would help to improve the state’s agricultural yield and reduce hunger to the barest minimum.

“Today we will be engaging the field, you can see the tractors are ready and so also all the staff of the Agricultural Training Service Centre (ATSC) and Marketing Ltd are equally ready.

“The strategy is to see how we can provide mechanisation services to communities that have been displaced in our quest to return people to their livelihoods that insecurity has denied them.

“Gov. Caleb Mutfwang in his magnanimity has decided that we cultivate 6,000 hectares of land and we will see how we exceed this in the nearest future.

“And we will be providing seeds for those places that have been cultivated so as to bring bumper harvest as we return people to their livelihoods,” he said.

The commissioner also spoke about government’s measures to enaure the safety of the farmers and their crops.

He said that the Angro Rangers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps would be deployed to provide security for the farmers and their farms.

“As you can see, we have the Agro-Rangers with us, and in those communities they have self-help groups that they setup, which have been providing early warning signals and we are going to utilise them.

“This time around, we are going to ensure that government’s intervention is not wasted, we are setting up a monitoring system.

”We will use modern technology to check incursions into such communities and we will see how we improve the system, moving forward.

“But I must tell you that the governor is bent on ensuring that our people return to their livelihoods.

Government is providing all these services and even the seeds for free,” Bugama said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of ATSC, Dr Susan Bentu, said that cluster groups, consisting women and youths, would be given top priority.

“This intervention is also for farmers in clusters, like women groups, youth and religious bodies, among others, in the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

“We are set to change the narrative where agriculture is concerned in the state.

“For the senatorial zones, they have their areas of strength, we are going to be cultivating maize and potatoes in Central and Northern zones, rice and yam for the Southern zone.

“ASTC is a company principally owned by the Plateau Government and we are here for the people of the state,” Bentu said.

She further said that ATSC had been rendering services to the citizenry, not just in the area of mechanised farming during the rainy and dry seasons but other services attached to farmers.

“The green houses we see at the backyards of many homes today are a fallout of ATSC, established over 13 years ago,” she said.

She said that 300 tractors were available for cultivation of land in three centres, situated in each of the senatorial zones of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

AZA/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah