Author: Adewale Kupoluyi
The Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Felix Odimegwu, has decried deforestation through felling of trees without replanting, bush burning and other environmental practices that are now serious offences in the state. Odimegwu called on the residents to brace up to key behind the ministry and tackle the challenge of working hard to maintain a safe, healthy, and clean environment. The commissioner said the government mapped out activities for this year’s World Environmental Day, as priority area on the manifesto of the state governor, Prof. Charles Soludo while affirming that the governor had tagged his ideal environmental goal to gain clean, greener, planned, sustainable cities, communities and markets that would transform Anambra to a smart state. “I call on the people of Anambra to leverage on the opportunity offered by this year’s World Environment Day with a…
The Nigerian Institute of Soil Science (NISS), South-West Zone has organised a train-the-trainer workshop for farmers and extension agents on how to use soil test kit in the farm. During the event held at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State; the Zonal Coordinator, Prof. James Adediran, said that to enhance food security, the problematic issue of soil in agricultural production should be accorded due attention and that NISS had made it mandatory to forge ahead in training stakeholders on the strategies required to manage various soils in Nigeria. “Soil is part of our environment and it is a vital input in agricultural production. Continuous land cultivation and improper handling of soil adversely affect…
It was a dawn of new era for agricultural financing in the country as the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Plc and the Moroccan Bank of Agriculture, Credit Agricole Du Maroc (CAM), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sustainable development in agriculture. The MoU seeks to promote inclusive growth of the agriculture sector in both countries through the facilitation of finance and investment, trade and support systems across agricultural value chain with emphasis on smallholder farmers. In 2016, the King of Morocco, His Majesty, Mohammed VI, had visited Nigeria to sign a initial pact, between NIRSAL and CAM, forming part of 15 bilateral agreements signed by the King and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, on…
The Federal Government and the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) have admonished Nigerians to strive towards reducing light pollution to conserve migratory birds. A focal person for the conservation desk in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Abdulmalik Ogizi, said the government was concerned about the danger posed by declining bird species. He spoke at an event to mark the World Migratory Bird Day in Lagos, organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). Ogizi said migratory birds fly hundreds of thousands of kilometers to find the best ecological conditions and habitats for feeding and breeding. “When conditions at breeding sites become unfavourable, it is time to fly to regions where conditions are…
The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru, Kaduna State in collaboration with the Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), has developed a genetically-modified maize (TELA Maize), which will save Nigerian farmers’ economic losses from insect pests and drought up to N9 billion ($24 million). The Communication Officer, Publications and Information unit of the institute, Yakubu Dodo, quoted the Executive Director of IAR, Prof. Mohammad Ishiyaku, as disclosing this piece of information, during a tour of TELA Maize Hybrids evaluation for resistance, to stem borers and fall army worm on-station field trial under irrigation, at the Institute for Agricultural Research Station, Minjibir, Kano State. According to the statement, Ishiyaku noted that the giant strides recorded by the TELA Maize Project in…
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has been reaching out to poultry farmers across the country, most especially, those who have 3,000 birds and above, to take insurance cover for their farms, as bird flu ravages farms. This move is coming as resentment over compensation by affected farmers is said to have prompted concealment by others. However, for many poultry farmers, buying insurance policy to cover their farms is another major burden as experiences of those, who once bought have not been encouraging. A former President, Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria (PAN), Kabiru Ibrahim, said as obtainable with every aspect of agricultural production, there was some reticence in taking insurance cover. “Most poultry farmers have shown…
Researchers from the Michigan State University, United States of America; the University of Ibadan; the Oyo State Government, and the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, have commenced research on modern ways of preserving perishable foods, especially fish, vegetable and other consumables. The project, which is aimed at providing food for Nigerians, is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Speaking at the launch of the project at the University of Ibadan, a Professor of Agriculture, Food and Research from the Michigan State University, Dave Tschirley, said the project would involve all stakeholders in the food value chain. On her part, the project coordinator, Dr. Saweda Liverpool-Tasie, said it would take five years,…
The World Milk Day was established in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, to celebrate the dairy sector and recognise the significance of milk as an important component of food. On June 1st every year, the day is marked by promoting the benefits of milk and dairy products globally including how dairy supports the livelihoods of one billion people and families. In 2022, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODRAN), Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition, and other partners met in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to celebrate the event. The conference focused on the theme, “Catalysing a milk revolution…
As various farming methods are being introduced in the country, farmers in Kogi and Benue states of Nigeria are excited at the large sizes and number of roots being produced with the new cassava varieties; ‘Baba-70’ and ‘Game Changer’. The new varieties, when cultivated with good agronomic practices and weed control, can produce more than 30 tonnes per hectare instead of the current national average yield of eight tonnes. According to some breeders, while Game Changer can produce 32 tonnes per hectare, Baba 70 can produce 38 tonnes, just as the new cultivars are drought-tolerant and resistant to virus diseases of cassava. At the farmers’ field day and product launch, breeders were excited about the new varieties, which were developed by the NextGen project. They spoke…
