Author: Adewale Kupoluyi
Amid persistent security challenges in parts of Plateau State, farmers in the Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas are celebrating a bumper harvest of Irish potatoes, a major economic crop in the area councils. For over a decade, these areas and other parts of Plateau State have witnessed sporadic attacks by unknown gunmen, displacing some residents, causing tension, and that the early and sustained rainfall this year has significantly boosted yields.A number of farmers in Mangu described the harvest as one of the most successful in recent years. “We thank God for the rains”, said Jimoh Bello, a farmer in Mangu. “The weather favoured us and despite the insecurity, we’ve…
The Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Dr. Simeon Ehui, has revealed that youth participation is critical to the future of agriculture and food security, as young people remain central to the adoption of emerging agricultural innovations that can increase productivity and protect the environment.Ehui, represented by the Deputy Director-General in charge of Partnerships for Delivery, Dr. Tahirou Abdoulaye, made this known at the 2025 International Youth Day event, organised by the Youth in Agribusiness Unit of the institute, with the theme ‘Local Youth Actions for the (Sustainable Development Goals) SDGs and Beyond’. The DG pointed out that the institute introduced the unit over 10 years ago in recognition of the pivotal role of young people in sustainable…
Agriculture has long served as a backbone of Nigeria’s economy, providing food, jobs, and raw materials for industries, but, however, there are numerous challenges that hinder its growth and potential. In a country blessed with fertile land and abundant human resources, why is agriculture still underperforming?One of the most pressing issues is lack of access to modern technology and equipment, as many Nigerian farmers still rely on outdated tools like hoes and cutlasses, which limit productivity. Mechanised farming is expensive and often left out of reach for smallholder farmers, who dominate the sector and other major challenge is poor infrastructure, bad roads, inadequate storage facilities,…
To further boost Nigeria’s livestock sector, the Federal Government is planning a number of initiatives such as the establishment of climate-resilient grazing reserves, expansion of veterinary health infrastructure, and the strengthening of community-based animal health services. The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, disclosed this in Abuja at the convocation and 7th investiture ceremony of new Fellows of the Postgraduate College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria.Maiha, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, expressed optimism that the induction of new fellows would provide the additional expertise needed to drive President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the livestock…
Young farmers in the Niger Delta region appear to be ready to harvest the available opportunities in fishery, poultry, oil palm, rice, plantain, and cassava production to earn a living. The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) developed the LIFE-ND programme in 2019 to promote income-generating enterprises in the agribusiness value chain for youth and women, including people living with disabilities, in the Niger Delta. The project targets 38,250 beneficiaries in the nine Niger Delta states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers, with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) providing counterpart funds for…
The Plateau State government intends to turn around its potato, coffee and livestock industries to support its planned investment in a cargo airport, which is meant to boost the state’s economy, while the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has assured that his administration would implement long term interventions that would guarantee sustainable food security in the state.Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State stated that agriculture is the “bedrock of society and the cornerstone of his administration”. He disclosed the state’s plan to leverage its favourable weather conditions. Mutfwang announced that the government would invest in the airport next year to…
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has stated that genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs, particularly in food, are not harmful to human health, provided that safety protocols are followed. Speaking on the safety of GMOs in an interview, Adeyeye explained that, “GMOs are genetically modified foods when it comes to food, and they are not bad for us. They are not bad for us, depending on what type of foods they are and whether these safety considerations have been taken”.The Professor emphasised that the type of food and safety considerations…
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has disclosed that the agriculture sector is facing severe pressure, and that escalating herder-farmer conflicts are disrupting cultivation while above-normal rainfall linked to the ongoing cycle, has caused flooding by damaging farmlands and displacing some farming communities in Nigeria. This piece of information was given by the President of LCCI, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, who revealed that the collective journey of quarterly engagements by his chamber, gives an opportunity to review the significant economic developments of the previous quarter and articulate perspectives for the broader business community and the government. The chamber alleged that there…
The Muslim community has been called upon to disregard some of the health and religious concerns being expressed against genetically modified crops. The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, made this appeal during a sensitisation workshop on GMOs and their products for the Islamic community in Abuja.Mustapha said, “We recognise that Islamic teaching demands that what we consume be both halal and tayyib – wholesome, pure and free from harm. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that any agricultural biotechnology product we embrace aligns fully with these higher objectives of Sharīah, protecting life,…
The Federal Government has expressed its determination to develop Nigeria’s livestock sector, as a strategic measure to address the persistent farmers-herders clashes and unlock the sector’s vast economic potential for national development.This assurance was given by the Co-Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms, Prof. Attahiru Jega, during the government-citizens engagement forum, put together by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation in Kaduna. Jega maintained that the newly-created Ministry of Livestock Development is a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s blueprint for transforming the sector. “President Tinubu is very much interested in the Ministry of Livestock and did not want issues of farmer-herders clashes again in the country”, he added.The ‘farmers-herders crisis’ has been a long-standing conflict between…
