Author: Olanrewaju Adesina

The Federal Government, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and other relevant stakeholders have collaborated to create effective awareness in the fight against illegal wildlife and forest trade in Nigeria. Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of Environment, made the commitment in Abuja, while inaugurating the 2022-2026 National Strategy to Combat Wildlife and Forest Crime in Nigeria. Abdullahi said that the inauguration of the strategy was critical with Nigeria seeking legislation and punishment for wildlife traffickers and other related forest trades in the country.He added that the fight required enhancing institutional capacity, strengthening legal frameworks, increase collaboration enablers, raising awareness…

The National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) has called for the establishment of a cotton, textile and garment (CTG) council for proper regulation of the sector. This is contained in a communiqué issued in Abuja after a one-day seminar involving key players of the CTG value chain on national dialogue on CTG policy. The communiqué was jointly signed by Mr. Anibe Achimugu, NACOTAN President; Hamma Kwajaffa, Director-General, Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association; and Samuel Oloruntoba, Executive Secretary, Cotton Ginners Association, among others.The association recommended that apart from the two government officials, who are to serve on the CTG council, other members…

The Federal Government has observed that despite Nigeria’s potential in cassava production with an estimated 60 million metric tons production potential, the average yield of the crop is still much lower than the production in Asia and other cassava-producing countries due to several biotic and abiotic factors such as pest and diseases. The Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Engr. Abdullahi Abubakar, disclosed this during the workshop on capacity development for cassava farmers on good agricultural practices and control management of whitefly on the crop. According to him, strategies to manage the whitefly on cassava farms include the use of resistant…

Experts in the Nigerian agriculture sector have warned that the surging prices of fertiliser could have dire consequences on food production and sufficiency in the country, saying the farm input now sells for twice its price last year. They observed that the price of a 50kg bag of urea fertiliser had increased by 183 per cent to an average of N17,000 from N6,000 in 2021. The average price of a 50kg bag of NPK fertiliser, mostly used by Nigerian smallholder farmers, has surged by 112.5 per cent to N17,000 from N8,000 in 2021. They blamed the global surge in fertiliser…

THE United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, has said over four million people in Nigeria’s North-East region are expected to be in dire need of food in the coming season. Speaking at an advocacy event on food security and nutrition in North-East Nigeria held in Abuja, Schmale said up to $351 million was needed to provide humanitarian support and avert the expected food crisis in the region. He also noted that a total of 8.4 million Nigerians would need humanitarian support in the North-East, with 4.1 million people in the region already facing severe food insecurity.“Across North-East Nigeria…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has embarked on National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NASVA) training programme for 50 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. The training was done in collaboration with the agency’s subsidiary, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and the Abuja Technology Village (ATV), as part of the agency’s activities to ensure that all sectors of the country are digitally-driven. Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of NITDA, urged the participants to seize the opportunity to acquire knowledge in agricultural entrepreneurship.Represented by Mr. Salisu Kaka, Acting Director, Digital Economy Development Department of NITDA,…

The Managing Director, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA), Dr. Adeniyi Aremu has revealed that more than 7,000 tons of padded rice was produced from the partnership, between the authority and Kogi State government. He disclosed that the authority had reached out to rice farmers in various parts of Kwara State with positive results. He stated that LNRBDA had been able to deliver one of its key services by the development of irrigated agriculture through the acquisition of more arable land and subsequent release to individuals, groups and corporate farmers.“For instance, 500 hectares of farmland was purchased from customary…

The Director-General of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), QU Dongyu, has urged Africa to stand firm in facing many challenges on the continent amid worsening hunger crisis. He maintained that meeting Africa’s overlapping challenges and realising its enormous potential requires extraordinary efforts and new ways of working together. Dongyu said this, as he opened the 32nd Session of the Regional Conference for Africa (ARC32) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. The regional conference, held in Equatorial Guinea’s capital of Malabo and online, placed the spotlight on the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031 and its…

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has started distributing 40,000 metric tons of grains to Nigerians to cushion the effect of high commodities’ prices during the festive period. President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar to release 40,000 metric tons of grains to Nigerians from the Strategic Grains Reserve (SGR). The minister had commenced the Emergency Distribution of Assorted Food Commodities to Displaced/Vulnerable Nigerians and Women Group at the Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at Karmajiji, Airport Road, Abuja.The minister informed that President also approved funds for the restocking of silos…

StartWeb, in partnership with a renowned technology-training solution firm, Haptics Academy and Google, gave free training to young African entrepreneurs and small business owners. The goal was to train over 1,000 business owners, expand their operations and upgrade their skills in a rapidly evolving world such that the partnership would impact over 5,000 Africans. The co-founder of StartWeb, Mr. Kelvin Orifa explained that with small and medium-sized enterprises providing an estimated 80 per cent of jobs across the continent, the partnership would empower young Africans with employable skills by providing a world-class mentorship programme that would equip the next generation…