Agriculture with Jimoh

Fish farmers in Delta have received N1.2 billion loans under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP). Mr Ambrose Nwabuzor, Loan Officer, Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Asaba, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency if Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Sunday. Nwabuzor said that the BOA secured the release of N1.2 billion to the fish farmers under the private window of the ABP. He said that the beneficiaries provided enough securities to guarantee the drawdown of the loan from the CBN. “Under the private window, we have secured the release of N1.2 billion to eight anchors that came together to form a fish farm. “Each of the anchors gave us an irrevocable post-dated cheque (security) and they profiled their farmers,” he said. He also said that the BOA was working to secure the release of another tranche of loan for the anchor off-taker in fisheries. The BOA loan officer said that the off-taker had also provided securi...

CALABAR- COSS Riv3er Basin Development Authority is cultivating rice with organic fertilizer on parcels of land acquired in both in both Cross River and Akwa Ibom States to boost food production and healthy feeding habit in the country The Managing Director of the Authority, Engineer Bassey Nkposong who stated this in Calabar at the weekend while addressing staff and stakeholders of the authority stated that the Akim Akim, Etomkpe Yellow Duke, Ijegwu communities in Cross River have donated land to the authority while one hundred hectres of land has been acquired in Essien Udim, Onna Local Government Area for integrated agricultural expansion programme for rice and other crops with the use of organic fertilizer. He said research has been conducted and found that organic fertilizer is free of chemicals and friendly to the environment which makes it suitable for healthy crop growth and soil preservation and long term usage. Engineer Okposong said four dams spread across Cross...

David Patrick, Acting Country Representative, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has identified lack of policy and comprehensive regional strategy as major challenges facing fishery and aquaculture sector in the ECOWAS region. He said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the stakeholders’ meeting on the Development of ECOWAS Fisheries and Aquaculture Regional Policy and Strategy Framework for member countries. The stakeholders in agriculture from the European Union (EU), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and ECOWAS are currently meeting in Abuja to develop a framework on Fishery and Aquaculture for ECOWAS countries. Patrick observed that lack of framework to improve coordination and ensure effective cooperation in actions for the benefit of the sector was hindering the development of fishery and aquaculture at the regional level. “It also includes the weakness of human domestic and regional capacities, and weakness of information systems to inform the political decisi...

Though not a human health risk, Tilapia Lake Virus has large potential impact on global food security and nutrition A highly contagious disease is spreading among farmed and wild tilapia, one of the world's most important fish for human consumption. The outbreak should be treated with concern and countries importing tilapias should take appropriate risk-management measures - intensifying diagnostics testing, enforcing health certificates, deploying quarantine measures and developing contingency plans - according to a Special Alert released today by FAO's Global Information and Early Warnings System. Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) has now been reported in five countries on three continents: Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Israel and Thailand. While the pathogen poses no public health concern, it can decimate infected populations. In 2015, world tilapia production, from both aquaculture and capture, amounted to 6.4 million tonnes, with an estimated value of USD 9.8 b...

....Maritime sector key to Nigeria's economic revival says Dogara. ....Pledges Commitment to Passing Suppression of Piracy and other unlawful Acts at Sea Bill The Speaker of the House of Representatives , Hon Yakubu Dogara, has expressed dismay that Illegal Unreported and Unregulated ( IUU ) fishing leads to an annual loss of over 1.3 billion dollars in West Africa alone. This is just as he pledged the commitment of the National Assembly to continue to be active in passing legislations that will make Nigeria's seas and waterways safer for exploration and exploitation of its natural resources for the benefit of Nigerians. Speaking while delivering a goodwill message at the annual conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrators in Abuja, the Speaker said, "Statistics has it that Illegal Unreported and Unregulated ( IUU ) fishing leads to a loss of over 1.3 billion dollars in West Africa alone, yearly. "We must tighten the legal ...

In addition, more than 70 bags of shark carcasses were found on one of the Chinese vessels FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, April 20, 2017/ -- Four illegal fishing cases have been found during a joint surveillance mission conducted by Greenpeace (www.Greenpeace.org/Africa/en) and Sierra Leone fishery authorities. Two Chinese vessels and one Korean vessel have been arrested for infringements of Sierra Leone fishing legislation, including possessing or using illegal fishing nets on board, no visible marking and a lack of required paperwork, including log books and authorisation for unloading catch. Fishing authorities ordered the vessels to return to Freetown port for further investigation. A fourth vessel, owned by an Italian company, was found with four kilograms of shark fins on board. Though not illegal under Sierra Leonean laws, this is a clear violation of European Union (EU) fishing rules. This boat’s case will be taken further with relevant EU authorities. In addition, more tha...

Tracking fish “from sea to plate” to keep illegal catches out of global supply chains International guidelines on catch documentation schemes approach the finish line An FAO-led push to establish internationally agreed standards that can guide the development of catch documentation schemes aimed at keeping illegally caught fish off store-shelves and consumers' plates has taken an important step forward. A set of draft Voluntary Guidelines on Catch Documentation Schemes was last week unanimously adopted by a technical consultation that brought a 5-year negotiation effort to a close, and are now poised for adoption by all FAO Members at the UN agency's upcoming bi-annual governing conference (Rome 3-8 July 2017). Once approved by the Conference, the guidelines will act as an internationally-recognized "gold standard" reference for governments and businesses looking to establish systems that can trace fish from their point of capture through the enti...

The Government of Canada is committed to understanding the implications of climate change for our marine ecosystems and coastal infrastructure. The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, today announced that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is partnering with the Ecology Action Centre on a project that will inform Atlantic Canadians about sea-level rise. The Educating Coastal Communities About Sea-level Rise (ECoAS) Project includes the development of a website and complimentary workshops to engage coastal communities within Atlantic Canada on climate change research. This information will help local harbour authorities and developers incorporate sea-level rise into future community planning. Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Canadian Extreme Water Level Adaptation Tool (CAN-EWLAT) is part of this project. This tool provides sea-level rise projections for Canada’s coastline over the coming century and advice on how much hi...

The Federal Government says it will henceforth arrest, prosecute and fine illegal importers of frozen foods into the country through the land borders and seal cold rooms where it is sold. Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of state for Agriculture and Rural Development, announced this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday. Lokpobiri said the government would also set up a taskforce to seal and prosecute operators of cold room, who deal on those illegally imported produce. The minister said the ministry was working in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Marine Police to actualise the plan. He said the offenders would pay a fine of $250,000 or attract five years imprisonment or both in addition to the forfeiture and destruction of the produce as stipulated by the law. He listed some of the fishes usually being imported to include tilapia, red pacus, river bream, pangassius, horse mackerel, sardine and croake...

Mr Rotimi Oloye, newly elected National President, Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN), says the association will collaborate with research institutes in the country to boost fish production for local consumption and export. Oloye told the News Agency of Nieria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday that a well focused development of the fish industry would take Nigeria out of the current economic recession to economic prosperity. He said collaboration with research institutes and relevant government agencies would result in massive production of local fish feeds that would serve as substitute to imported feeds. “We will partner with research institutes on inputs substitution. “For instance, black soldier fly can be well packaged and preserved through such partnership and used as nutritious fish feeds that will enhance healthy development and multiplication of fishes in our ponds,” Oloye said. He noted that CAFAN planned to collaborate with government agencies for hum...

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday promised that the Federal Government is planning urgent relief to poultry farmers in the country to save the industry from collapse. He gave the indication during his second meeting in the week with representatives of the poultry industry at the Presidential Villa. The intervention is part of an urgent effort by the federal government to address challenges in the agricultural sub-sector in line with its policy on self-sufficiency in food production. The poultry industry has had to contend with a number of challenges including an outbreak of Avian Influenza which affected almost four million birds in 2015. It also suffered non-allocation of Foreign Exchange for the importation of needed machinery and other critical inputs, and high production costs in the industry. At the Friday meeting relevant ministers and agency heads came together to fashion out how to bail-out the ailing poultry industry. “The poultry indus...

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)  launched two new agribusiness partnerships with Chi Farms and Niji Foods. The event highlighted USAID’s agricultural and private sector strategy using partnerships with government, local organizations and private industry to develop the Nigerian agriculture sector. Representatives from the federal government attended the event to highlight their commitment to this partnership that is helping to advance agriculture and trade in Nigeria. Through these partnerships, USAID aims to address development and business challenges to agricultural inputs and mechanization by providing quality technical advisory services and expanded market opportunities for smallholder farmers. These partnerships will also capitalize on the untapped potential of smallholder farmers and small processors to help grow agribusinesses, create secure jobs, and boost economic growth in Nigeria. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, in Lagos, ...

The Kano State Government has earmarked over N200 million in the recently approved 2017 budget to boost rice farming in the state. Mohammed Garba, the Commissioner of Information, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano. He said this was part of the state government’s efforts to boost the agricultural sector in the state to complement President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to reduce over dependence on crude oil. “Rice and wheat farmers were given N150 million loan in 2016 to boost production in the Sector, while in 2017 we are planning to increase the loan. “All necessary measures will be taken to ensure that the ordinary farmers in the state benefit more from the gesture,” the commissioner said. Garba said that in 2016, the state government contributed to the production of 1.3 million tonnes of rice, saying that it hopes to increase it to over 2 million tonnes in 2017. He said, “the state government has c...

Bird flu claims 3.5 million birds in 26 states, FCT- FG ... Summons State agric commissioners ABUJA- THE Federal Government yesterday, disclosed that bird flu has claimed 3.5 million birds in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, so far. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made the disclosure in his address of welcome during a consultative meeting with commissioners of Agriculture/Livestock, state directors of veterinary services and major stakeholders in the poultry industry in Abuja. Ogbeh who described the situation as threat to the poultry industry and said losses in the industry unacceptable as he personally feels the pain of affected farmers. He said: “Our meeting today is necessary in order to restore the poultry industry to its past glory as a major source of livelihood of our people, diversify the economy and avert food security crisis and possible spill over to humans. “You may recall that the first outbreak of bir...

The Agricultural Fresh Produce Growers and Exporters Association of Nigeria (AFPGEAN) says between 55 per cent and 72 per cent of fresh produce grown in the country perish before they can be consumed. The Executive Secretary of the association, Mr Akin Sawyerr told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Monday that this was because fresh produce needed to be kept in refrigerated conditions soon after harvest. Sawyerr said fresh produce were basically fruits and vegetables. “ Fresh produce production has the same challenges as other agricultural products but its uniqueness lies in its being very perishable. “ The issue with fresh produce in Nigeria is that there is little processing, no storage in refrigerated conditions due to lack of electricity (power) for most of the produce grown by farmers. “ We also cannot move these produce quickly from farms to supermarkets or hotels or airports, where they would be used because of poor road conditions,’’ he said. ...

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina has reiterated the AfDB’s commitment to support empowerment of women in Agriculture in order to unlock the sector’s potential. He was speaking on 16 July at a high level meeting for Heads of States and Governments and partners for the implementation of Empowering Women in Agriculture (EWA) and of the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiatives, held at the sidelines of the 27 th  African Union Summit that took place from 17 July to 18 July in Kigali, Rwanda. “To transform agriculture we must recognise the critical role women play in agriculture in Africa. We must invest in measures that target the needs of women farmers including access to land, improving market access, increasing access labour-saving tools, and providing improved seeds and quality fertilisers,” he said. From left to right Bineta Diop, Founder and Chair of the Femme Africa Solidarite; Emmanuel Nnadozie, African Ca...

FAO chief hails Port State Measures Agreement, urges rapid action to provide technical and financial resources The Port State Measures Agreement "marks the dawn of a new era in the effort to combat illegal fishing" but rapid action is needed to make sure its implementation is effective, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said today at an event held to celebrate the world's first international treaty specifically aimed at tackling Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. "FAO is working to deliver immediate support to those countries that are most in need of it," Graziano da Silva said. Implementation of the agreement may prove challenging for some nations - especially developing and small island states - due to resource and capacity constraints, he added.  The  treaty went into force last month  and more than 30 nations as well the European Union on behalf of its 28 members have acceded to the treaty. More countries have initiate...