Author: Adewale Kupoluyi
In the strive to make more impact, no fewer than 150 Kano sesame farmers, processors and exporters have been trained by experts on the global methods of packaging, exportation and marketing of Sesame Value Chain to international markets. This was made possible as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) brought together exporters, farmers and processors of various farm produce in the state in this regard. “Sesame is among the top globally-traded commodities due to its multiple uses. In 2020, export of sesame seeds from the five top world exporters are: Sudan ($690m), India ($463m), Nigeria ($396m), Ethiopia ($352m) and Niger…
Oluwole Okunola, a graduate of the National Open University Nigeria (NOUN), is the Chief Executive Officer of Haremex Farms. He is a fish farmer and spoke on a number of issues bordering on how he started the catfish farming business, why fish farming is good, successes recorded so far in the venture, challenges associated with fish farming, contributions of fish farming to the Nigerian economy, words of advice to young farmers, and the role expected of the government in that line of business. More importantly, he has made a case for rich database in Nigeria on loan opportunities, equipment and technology for fish farmers to excel. Excerpts: Can…
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar has formally inaugurated the National Council on Animal Welfare (NCAW) with a charge to ensure the regulation of animal welfare in Nigeria in line with global best practices. According to the minister, “It is our duty to ensure that animals are treated humanely, responsibly and devoid of stress, hunger, anxiety and pain”. He added that the Nigeria Animal Welfare Strategy was developed and approved by the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD) in 2016 and in furtherance of the implementation of the policy, the ministry stepped up efforts…
The Federal Government has taken steps to enhance living income differential of cocoa farmers by inaugurating the National Cocoa Management Committee (NCMC). While inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar stated that the effort would boost living income differential (LID) for cocoa smallholder farmers, guarantee quality, traceability, transparency and sustainability for cocoa value chain as well as meet export demands, added that the initiative would make Nigerian cocoa farmers to start benefiting from the project like their counterparts in Ghana and Cote d’Ivorie. Dr. Abubakar charged the committee to come up with…
