Photo Update: MOU Signing Ceremony Between FMARD & Nigerian Breweries Plc on the Development and Commercialization of Hybrid Sorghum

FG Signs MoU With Nigerian Breweries To Drive Increased Availabilty of Hybrid Sorghum

In tandem with the focus of the on-going ATA to unlock the potentials embedded in the agriculture sector, the Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigerian Breweries Plc, in a bid to drive development and commercialization of high quality sorghum varieties in the country.
Speaking at the event which held at Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, noted that despite being the largest producer of food sorghum in the world, Nigeria was yet to harness the crop’s potential to drive economic input, stating that one of the objectives of the recently signed agreement was to increase the number of out-grower farmers engaged by Nigerian Breweries Plc from the initial 250,000 to 2.5 million as well as access to high quality sorghum varieties..
Adesina while commending the research activities of Nigerian Breweries in the development of a sorghum hybrid with the capacity to yield 4 metric tons per hectare against the average yield of 0.5 metric tons, he further outlined the expected outcome of the partnership to include; formation of production and purchase clusters, increased production to 13 million metric tons by 2015, improved nutrition, as well as linkage with processors and markets.
The Minister using the event as a medium, reiterated government’s commitment to the Agriculture Transformation Agenda and the preparedness of the Ministry to involve credible stakeholders in the development of the sorghum seed sector, as well as provide seed companies access to finance through the Seed Venture Capital Fund (SVCF).
Decrying the acquired taste for foreign products as against quality local products by Nigerian consumers, the Chairman Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kola Jamodu, stressed that Nigeria had no reason to depend on imported food for her survival thus pledging the commitment of Nigerian Breweries to enhance availability of high yield sorghum seeds through breeding and selection programmes for large scale commercial production in order to support the agricultural transformation of the present administration.
Highlighting the achievements of the company, Jamodu stated that the company’s local sourcing of its raw materials has resulted in the creation of jobs for 250,000 local farmers who produce hybrid sorghum.
Speaking to AgroNigeria team, he expressed optimism that the partnership with the Federal Government would further expand and strengthen the company’s efforts in developing the sorghum value chain in Nigeria.

15,000 Katsina Farmers To Benefit From State Sponsored Modern Agriculture Training

15,000 farmers in Katsina State have been selected from the three senatorial zones as beneficiaries to be trained in modern agriculture practices, as part of the State Government’s measures to drive increased agricultural output and ensure food security.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Musa Adamu in an interview with press men recently in Katsina State.
Adamu highlighting the current achievements of the present administration towards advancing the agriculture sector in the state, stated that 5,000 hectares of farms each in Dutsin-ma, Funtua and Mai’adua, had been established by the government to accommodate the engagement of youths who were recently trained in Benin Republic while pledging the support of the government to expand production, through the purchase of the farm produce of the state farmers.
Furthermore, he outlined that the government had established livestock, fisheries, bee-keeping, irrigation and seeds production centres on the three farms, and has begun earning revenue from the Dutsin-ma centre from sales of vegetables, fish, poultry, animals and grains.
According to him, 60 youths of the state had been sponsored by the government for training at the Songhai Farms, Port Novo – Benin Republic in a bid to eradicate poverty, create employment opportunities as well as advance agricultural productivity.
The beneficiaries of Songhai Agricultural Initiative he commented would be given free seeds, subsidized fertilizer and pesticides.

Zamfara Farmers Receive 100% Mechanization Support From FG

In pursuit of the Presidency’s transformation agenda to upscale the welfare of small-holder and rural farmers, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has flagged-off the emergency mechanization intervention support services for Zamfara Farmers.
The Private Sector Driven Agricultural Mechanization Programme (PSDAMP) was flagged off in Gusau with 20 tractors, 20 power tillers and various harvest and post harvest equipments, which will be deployed across Zamfara through the State chapter of the Tractor Owners and Operators Association (TOOAN).
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Adesina disclosed that the ₦193 million needed to provide the services to the farmers will be covered fully by the Presidency through the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme till the end of the Dry season and the next wet season production.
The programme which is being funded under the present administration’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda will be set-up in four senatorial zones to provide farmers with up to 50% discount of equipment hiring services.
The Zamfara intervention is set to mechanize 8,000 hectares of land, add 32,000 metric tons of food at four metric tons per hectare and create 1,000 direct jobs for the unemployed. In his words, “agriculture and rural development are critical to the growth of Nigeria’s economy and must be at the forefront of the Transformation Agenda.”
According to Adesina, over ₦50 billion is set to be expended to establish 118 Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises (AEHE) across Nigeria with 6,000 tractors, 15,000 power tillers and various harvest and post harvest equipment between the year 2014 and 2016, in order to provide farmers with affordable mechanization services.

Osun Rice Stakeholders Urged to Participate in Strategic Grains Reserve Project

In view of the need to drive the success of the School Feeding and Health Programme (O-MEALS) through increased rice production, rice stakeholders and farmers in Osun state have been enjoined to participate in the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) initiative of the Federal Government.
This appeal was made by Mrs. Olubunmi Ayoola, the Director and State Operation Officer for Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme – O-MEALS, during a stakeholders meeting organized by the O-MEALS Office in collaboration with Partnership for Child Development (PCD) London.
Mrs. Ayoola while seeking the cooperation and commitment of all the stakeholders particularly the rice farmers, expressed the interest of the O-MEALS office towards increased rice production and support of the farmers as it is a part of the O-MEALS menu, noting that this will have a multiplier effect on the state’s economy as well as drive empowerment of the community.
With Osun silos having the storage capacity of 50,000 metric tonne of quality rice, 3 local government areas in the state comprising of Osogbo, Ejigbo and Atakumosa have been selected as the kick-off communities in anticipation of the Federal Government’s approval according to the Representative, Partnership for Child Development (PCD) in Nigeria, Mrs Abimbola Adesanmi.
Also present at the meeting were the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, State of Osun Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment as well as O-meals food vendors.

Female Stakeholders Encouraged to Harness Agribusiness Opportunities

In view of the identified capacity of female farmers to drive agricultural advancement and economic diversification, the National President, Nigerian Cooperative Women Alliance (NICOWA) Chief Esther Eka, has called for increased involvement of Nigerian women in agribusiness.
She made the call while addressing pressmen at the recently held National Agricultural Exhibition in commemoration of the World Food Day where NICOWA was awarded Best Coordinating Agricultural Group by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
According to her, NICOWA which is the umbrella body of all women cooperative societies in the country is poised to mobilise women to optimally benefit from agro allied businesses while serving as agents of peace, stability and progress in their communities.
In her words, “This is purely an approval of our commitments to the reduction of poverty among us as it is not easy to build any human network. NICOWA for us is a child of necessity, a platform that gives leverage to Nigerian women. It gladdens my heart that both local and international institutions are concerned about the modest progress we have made so far. These awards are indications that we are on the right track”.
Using the event as a medium, she encouraged Nigerian women to adequately utilize their acquired skills in agribusiness, to influence national development as well as strive for peaceful co-existence by engaging in selfless service and peace fostering activities.

Nigerian Agriculture to be Upscaled with Precision Farming Techniques

With the aim to enhance farm output in Nigeria, a week-long training workshop on Global Positioning System (GPS) was recently conducted for Coordinators and Assistant Coordinating Officers of West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), drawn from several universities, research institutes and Agricultural Development Projects across the country.
The workshop which held in Kaduna, was aimed at acquainting participants with Precision farming techniques in terms of using technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing, and Yield Monitors Guidance Systems for various rate application.
Speaking at the event, the National Project Coordinator of WAAPP, Prof. Damian Chikwendu, explained Precision Agriculture as an integrated crop management system that attempts to determine the kind and amount of input which the actual crop needs for small areas within a farm field.
Emphasizing the need for accurate measurement of farm sizes, track project activities and sites, Prof. Chikwendu said, the precision system of agriculture  is often referred to as GPS (Global Position System) based agriculture, variable-rate farming, precision farming, site-specific farming, among others.
According to him, Precision Farming is, “doing the right thing, at the right place and at the right time” and thus starts with the ability of good managers and operators to effectively utilize materials and equipment such as planters, harvesters, fertilizer applicators etc. to enhance farm output.
While commending the effort of WAAPP for initiating the training, Aminu Usman, the Lead Consultant of Clemence and Geoconsult – the training partner for the workshop spoke on the importance of the Global Positioning System, noting that the training would expose participants to unending possibilities and applications in everyday field operations.
Based on the relevance of the workshop, participants were urged to seize the opportunity of the platform to improve their knowledge to enable them join hands in the current drive to take the country to a level of sustainable agricultural development and food security.

Anambra Set to Become First Agro-State in Nigeria with FMARD Collaboration

In a bid to harness the agricultural investment capacity of Anambra state, the federal government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has declared its intention to partner with the present state administration led by Governor Willie Obiano.
The partnership which was forged during the recent visit of the Anambra State entourage consisting of the Governor and other officials of the state to Dr. Adesina’s office in Abuja will focus on aqua-culture development, mechanization and other investment opportunities that may abound in the state.


Governor Obiano who is set on harnessing the agricultural capacity of the state as a developmental strategy, received commendation from Adesina for his effort in the state within his 100 days in office which included the revamping of the Omo Rice Mill.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Adesina promised to fast-track the Omo Staple Crops Processing Zone while stating the need for a high-level meeting between the FMARD and the Anambra State Government to be convened in order to work out the modalities for the expected partnership.
According to the Anambra State Governor, the investment opportunities which abound in the state include rice, cassava, tomato processing amongst others with the capacity to provide 100,000 jobs.
Obiano, using the avenue of the visit, disclosed the plans of his administration to make Anambra the first Agro-state in Nigeria, through the driving of  self-sufficiency in fish farming in each of the Local Government Areas of the state in less than one year, as well as attaining a 120,000 metric  ton rice production target which, he noted, will be further enhanced through the state’s engagement in dry season farming.

Rice: Kano to Boost Production With Quelea Bird Control Operation

In response to the yearnings of rice farmers in Kano and also demonstrating a commitment towards sustaining the success of the Rice Transformation Agenda, the Federal Government recently approved a 50 hours aerial spray of high risk areas in Kano state under the attack of Quelea Birds.
The flag-off ceremony of the aerial spray for the control of these trans-border pests that attack cereal crops on the field, especially rice, took place at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The operation which will reduce the amount of money being spent by farmers employing traditional control methods, was attended by the Honourable Commissioner for Agric and Natural Resources Kano State – Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, Ag State Director(FMARD) – Mr Adamu Muhammad Shehu as well as other officials of the state and federal governments.

Prior to this event, the rice farmers represented by the Sariki Noma of Kano State, Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo had lamented to AgroNigeria team during a rice tour visit to the state, about the challenges the birds had posed to their farm output as a result of the attack on their rice crops.

The operation is set to cover six local governments which include: Garun Mallam, Kura, Bagwai, Dambatta , Makoda and Warawa. The nesting and roosting sites of these Quelea birds were identified during the monitoring exercise of crop performance under the 2014 wet season GES in Kano state and government promised to take measures to stem the massive losses suffered by the cereal farmers.
According to (Mallam Munir), Kano State Director FMARD in a chat with AgroNigeria, this operation will further boost the confidence of the farmers in the effectiveness of the ATA, thus encouraging them to produce more, make more profit, improve their livelihoods  and  guarantee a sustainable supply of paddy to the rice mills.

Africa Benefitting From Nigeria’s Agric Policies – …Dorcas Makwoi

The positive impact of the innovative agricultural policies being implemented in Nigeria are fast catching on across the African continent. This point was made recently by Mrs Dorcas Makwoi, the focal person for the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) in Kenya who reserved praise for the country’s Agriculture Minister, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, for influencing Kenya’s agricultural policy.
Makwoi made this known in a recent media chat in Nairobi. According to her, when Adesina was Vice-President (Policy and Partnerships) of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), he contributed to making policies that are currently boosting agricultural production across Africa. Speaking further, Makwoi lauded Adesina for the launch of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) “through which Nigerian farmers now receive subsidised seeds and fertilisers through vouchers on their mobile phones”.
According to the CAADP Focal Person, the policy has provided a conduit for the private sector to key into the fertiliser business, which is a model for ASCU in Kenya and “…would enable Kenyan farmers to benefit from fertilisers, seeds, feeds and pesticides without any interference from middle men….” Kenya, according to Makwoi, is an agro-based economy and has keyed into Adesina’s policies to improve its agricultural sector.
In her words, “through our agricultural sector development strategy, the growth target has been pegged at a target of seven per cent which is above the six percent expectation from CAADP”. It will be recalled that the Nigerian Minister recently delivered the keynote speech at the African Green Revolution Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Agric Commercialization and Investment Pivotal To Economic Development” – Asiwaju

The peasant nature of Nigeria’s agricultural production system has been identified as a major constraint to agricultural growth and development in the country.
This point was captured in a recent contribution by the South West Zonal Manager of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Mr. Olusegun Asiwaju at an event organized by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).  The occasion which was convened under the theme: “National Dialogue on Agriculture Value Chain: Enhancing Agricultural Export Through Adequate Financing”, sought to reiterate the critical role of financing in the evolution of a viable agro-economy for the nation.
In Asiwaju’s words, ”with low productivity and poor access to funding, there will ultimately be a poor response to technology adoption strategies, and poor returns on investment”. He highlighted agricultural commercialization and investment as the key strategies for promoting sustainable growth and development, accelerated modernization and ultimately poverty reduction in any country.
According to him, in order to attract investment in agriculture, the need to identify those constraints inhibiting the performance of the sector with a view to removing them, thereby creating a conducive investment climate in the sector cannot be overemphasized.
In relation to agriculture’s importance as a sector with multiple bottom lines, he noted that Nigeria has profound competitive advantage as agriculture provides a pivot on which other non-oil export segments can depend, hence the policy thrusts of the Government and other stakeholders must make the agricultural sector a focal point of attention.
In response to questions posed by the audience, Asiwaju underscored that the economic growth achieved through agricultural development is about three times more effective in reducing poverty than that achieved through other means.

ATA: Seed Certification and Quality Control Training Holds in Zaria

With a focus on consolidating the achievements of the ATA in country, a three-day training on seed certification and quality control recently held at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) in Zaria.

The training which was facilitated by the federal government had in attendance members of the NYSC, NASC certification officers, internal quality control and seed production officers of seed companies as participants.

Speaking at the training, the Acting Director-General, National Agriculture Seed Council (NASC) Dr. Philips Olusegun- Ojo disclosed the intention of the federal government to reach 20 million farmers in 2015 with fertilizers for the farming season.

According to him, the enormous success achieved with the reach of over ninety (90) percent of ATA registered farmers  through the 2014 Growth Enhancement Support (GES), has driven countries like China, Brazil, Kenya and Tanzania to come borrow a leaf from Nigeria.

While commending the initiative of the ATA to influence the view of farming as a business rather than a traditional profession with a bleak future, he commented that the task of making high quality seeds available to the farming population was enormous and required the joint effort of all key stakeholders including all tiers of government, cooperative societies, private organizations as well as individuals to ensure the sustainability of the initiative, noting the reluctance of some state governments in extending the necessary support to enhance the success of ATA in their respective states.

150 Kwara State Youths Empowered With Agribusiness Training

In a bid to shore-up participation of youths in agriculture the Federal Government recently organized an intensive agribusiness training workshop for over 150 youths from 16 local governments areas in Kwara State.
The 21-day workshop tagged “Linking women and youths for sustainable green development and income generation through Agric Business” was organized by the Islamic Green Club Empowerment Initiative in collaboration with the office of the Special Assistant to the President on Ethics and Values, Dr. Sarah Jibril.
The program which was designed to expose the participants to the rudiments of various agricultural ventures, drive self-sustenance and enhance food security in Nigeria was executed with support from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ministry of Agriculture and the National Directorate of Employment.
Featuring trainings in poultry, fishery, snail rearing, fish smoking, grass cutter rearing, sheep and goat rearing, the workshop sparked in the participants an interest for agriculture as they were able to see the profitability and income generating capacity of agriculture via agribusiness.
Speaking at the event in response to questions from journalists, the Program Coordinator, Dr. Abdulrahman Badiru, disclosed that the assemblage of participants included unemployed graduates, post graduate diploma and master degree holders.
Expressing his joy over the success of the program and the enthusiasm displayed by the participants, Dr. Badiru urged the beneficiaries to pursue the available opportunities in agriculture for self-employment through the skills acquired.

Local Rice and Cassava Processing Receives FEC Boost

pursuit of the government’s effort at securing local self-sufficiency in food production, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of processing mills for rice and cassava, two staples which have over the last few months dominated headlines on account of poor processing capacity. In the case of rice in particular, AgroNigeria had reported on the impending glut following the bumper rice paddy harvests recorded by farmers across the country.

Fortunately, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its weekly sitting on Wednesday the 10th of September 2014, has approved the establishment of ten integrated rice mills and six cassava processing mills in strategic locations across the country.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina while speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting. He explained that the projects which are estimated to cost about ₦13 billion would be largely private-sector driven, with government providing the necessary platforms for their operation.
According to Adesina, the 10 integrated rice mills would be located in 10 states including Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Bauchi , Ogun and Anambra, while the cassava processing mills would be located in Cross River, Abia, Delta, Ondo and Ogun states.
The minister noted that following the increase in number of rice growing states from 10 in 2012 to 23 in 2014, the country is currently developing high quality rice mills with the capacity to process rice paddy into finished rice.

FILIPINO FARMERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS PUSH FOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF BT EGGPLANT

Local government constituents from Pangasinan province in the Philippines, including municipal agriculturists and farmers, students, members of the media, and other stakeholders signed a declaration of support for the commercial planting of the pest resistant Bt eggplant in the country, during the conclusion of a Public Dialogue on Bt eggplant held at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) Campus on September 3, 2014.

It states that after discussion with the scientists, experts, and farmer resource persons in the dialogue, the stakeholders realize that, Bt eggplant, which is being developed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), "is a healthier and safer alternative solution against the relentless insect pest – the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB)."  They also recognized that its multi-location field trials, which concluded in 2012, have been conducted safely and in full compliance with the prescribed government regulatory procedures, duly approved by the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI). Moreover, they also acknowledge the safety of products of modern biotechnology that have passed food safety assessment based on international standards.

The Public Dialogue was co-organized by ISAAA, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture-Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC), the Municipality of Sta. Maria, and PSU-Sta. Maria Campus. Featured scientists include UPLB Bt eggplant project leader Dr. Desiree Hautea, study leader Dr. Lourdes Taylo, UP Diliman professor Dr. Ernelea Cao, economist Dr. Sergio Francisco, and DA-BPI Biotech Core Team vice chair Ms. Merle Palacpac. Farmer-leaders from Pangasinan Ms. Rosalie Ellasus and Mr. Onofre Batalla also shared their successful experiences in planting biotech corn; both expressed their eagerness for the release of Bt eggplant seeds.

Kaduna launches silo to address food security

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Isaac Bodmas, has disclosed that 100, 000 metric tonnes grain silo has been launched in Shika, Kaduna State, to address storage challenge faced by farmers and attain food security in the state and the country at large.

Speaking at a workshop in Kaduna, the commissioner said: “Kaduna State has also keyed into the GES programme and the agric mechanisation, through private partnership, was launched in Shika. Kaduna and Kano states were picked as pilot states for the programme. Kaduna State and two other states have been earmarked as pilot states for the school agricultural scheme.”
He assured that the state government, through the ministry, would work with others, especially extension services, to ensure food security in the state, promising to ensure that farmers are carried along in the programmes. [DAILY TRUST]

Brazil considers transgenic trees. Genetically modified eucalyptus could be a global test case.

Eucalyptus plantations near São Paulo in Brazil.

Viewed from above, Brazil’s orderly eucalyptus plantations offer a stark contrast to the hurly-burly of surrounding native forests. The trees, lined up like regiments of soldiers on 3.5 million hectares around the country, have been bred over decades to grow quickly.

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On 4 September, a public hearing will consider bringing an even more vigorous recruit into the ranks: genetically engineered eucalyptus that produces around 20% more wood than conventional trees and is ready for harvest in five and a half years instead of seven. Brazilian regulators are evaluating the trees for commercial release; a decision could come as early as the end of this year.

Researchers, businesses and activists are watching closely. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) — native to Australia — is grown on about 20 million hectares throughout the tropics and subtropics, and approval of the genetically engineered trees in Brazil could encourage their adoption elsewhere. “It would have ripple effects worldwide,” says Zander Myburg, who studies the genetics of forest trees at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. “Everybody will pay attention.”

So far, no genetically modified tree from a major commercial species has been deployed on a large scale. The ubiquity of eucalyptus makes Brazil’s decision on the modified trees a special concern to environmental activists who oppose the use of genetically modified crops.

“They have become the target of very intensive and emotionally charged debate particularly among the NGOs and nature constituencies,” says Walter Kollert, a forestry officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome.

A consortium of activists opposed to the plan intends to present a letter at the 4 September meeting, urging Brazil’s National Technical Biosafety Commission to reject the trees. In all, 259 organizations — 106 of them from Latin America — have signed the letter, which expresses concern that the trees pose risks to the environment and will encourage the expansion of plantations.

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The trees were developed by FuturaGene, a biotechnology firm in Rehovot, Israel, that was spun out of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1993. The company found that certain proteins accelerate plant growth by facilitating cell-wall expansion. FuturaGene inserted into eucalyptus a gene that encodes one such protein from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), a common laboratory plant. In 2010, the firm was bought by Suzano Pulp and Paper of São Paulo, Brazil, one of the world’s largest producers of eucalyptus pulp.

FuturaGene’s chief executive Stanley Hirsch is quick to point out the environmental benefits of his company’s creation. The tree’s speedy growth boosts absorption of carbon dioxide from the air by about 12%, he says, aiding in the fight to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The genetically modified trees may also require less land to produce the same amount of wood, reducing the conversion of natural forest into plantations.

Hirsch says that the company has tried to avoid public-relations mistakes made by agricultural biotechnology companies in the past: rather than shun activists, he has invited them to tour the company’s field-trial sites. “Some of them were so surprised,” he says. “They said, ‘Wow, these look just like normal trees’.”

Hirsch’s pitch has not convinced everyone. Anne Petermann, executive director of the non-profit organization Global Justice Ecology Project in Buffalo, New York, says that FuturaGene is trying to stave off opposition by ‘greenwashing’ its product. Faster-growing trees require more water and extract more nutrients from the soil, she adds, and they will only add to the economic incentive to seed more plantations.

Genetically engineered trees do pose some biosafety issues that do not apply to agricultural crops such as maize (corn) or soya, notes forest geneticist Steven Strauss of Oregon State University in Corvallis. They remain in the environment for years, increasing their potential impact on the plants, animals and soil around them. And trees tend to disperse pollen further than crops nearer the ground do, raising concerns about gene flow to native relatives. But eucalyptus has no native relatives in Brazil and is not particularly invasive in most areas of the country, says Strauss.

FuturaGene says that it identified no major environmental problems in eight years of field trials that collected data on everything from gene flow to leaf-litter decomposition to the composition of honey made by bees that visit the trees. Myburg, who does not work with FuturaGene but is familiar with the company’s safety data, says that he found the firm’s studies to be well designed and thorough.

While FuturaGene tests the waters in Brazil, a US company awaits a regulatory decision regarding its genetically engineered, freeze-tolerant eucalyptus. In 2008, ArborGen of Ridgeville, South Carolina, petitioned the US Department of Agriculture to allow commercialization of the trees in the southeastern United States. Delays of this length are not uncommon in the US regulatory system, says ArborGen’s director of regulatory affairs Leslie Pearson.

For now, just the prospect that the trees might be approved has been enough to rally activists. “The fact that there are now two commercial applications has the movement against genetically modified trees mobilizing quickly in many regions,” says Petermann. “We know we’re going to be seeing a lot more coming out from this industry.”

FG-SME Funding to Facilitate Market Expansion For Agric Produce

The need to ensure market availability for agric produce has spurred the provision of funds by the Federal Government to support Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs in order to boost their operations.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina at the commissioning of OAMSAL High Quality Cassava Flour Processing factory at Ayede, Ekiti

.

Mr. Femi Salami (MD Oamsal HQCF plant), Mrs. Toyin Adetunji (ATA cassava value chain consultant), Mr. Jide Arowosafe (Agric Commissioner, Ekiti), Dr. Akin Adesina (HMA),  (BOI Staff) and Mr. Titus Efuntoye, (desk officer, cassava, FMARD)
According to him, 35 SMEs would get one million Naira each from the Cassava Bread Fund which will be disbursed by the Bank of Industry (BoI), to enable them achieve optimum entrepreneurial performance.
Validating the potential of Agribusiness, the Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of OAMSAL Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Femi Salami, revealed that he had resigned from a job in the financial sector to become a young farmer and entrepreneur. “Presently, I am an employer of labour, and have no regrets at going into farming”, Salami noted.
Speaking at the occasion, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Jide Arowosafe  praised the Minister for his immense contribution towards developing agriculture in the country.

Anambra’s Economic Future is Pinioned on Agriculture…Princess Stella Oduah

The economic destiny of Anambra state is hinged on the development of the state’s agro-allied business. This was the view expressed  by the country’s immediate past Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah while addressing agricultural stakeholders in the state.
She identified robust entrepreneurship buoyed by investment in agriculture as the surest way to lift communities in Anambra out of poverty. In Oduah’s words, “Our people have innate skills in aspects of agriculture like crop farming, fishery, agro-allied business and education, but it is regrettable that these skills and potentials remain largely untapped”. The former Minister  stressed the need for an alignment of factors to help trigger the much anticipated agricultural transformation in the state, “we need good people, policies and programmes to help us tap these potentials,” she noted.
Still on the issue, Oduah added  that the entire Anambra-North senatorial zone should have farm settlements and storage/collection centres with power plants to provide energy to the storage facilities. She however praised  the Federal Government for approving cargo terminals in airports and export processing zones across the country, noting that with the approval of cargo terminals in Asaba and Owerri, the zone will begin the export of perishable agricultural goods to different parts of the world. “These facilities will make it easier for those in agriculture and agro-allied business to get their produce and products to the international market”.

40,000 palm seedlings distributed to farmers in Imo

A total of 40,000 palm seedlings have been distributed to commercial farmers in Imo State by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

Supervising the exercise held at Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo in
Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, a director in the ministry, Mr Clement Iwunze, disclosed that the programme was organised in conjunction with the Imo Ministry of Agriculture.
Iwunze who said the idea is to replace old palm trees with new ones, added that each commercial farmer in the state is expected to receive 450 seedlings, assuring that the replacement of the old trees with new ones will enhance production.
General Manager of Imo Fruit and Palms, MrNnadozieUdensi, noted that the state government had earlier rolled out a programme known as ‘Palm to palm’ where it encouraged people to engage in palm plantation, saying that very soon the state would experience palm revolution.
The National President, Oil Palm Farmers of Nigeria, Igwe Hilary Uche, described the palm seedlings distribution as a veritable programme that should be monitored for its success.
He urged officials of federal and state agricultural ministries to engage the services of agric extension workers to educate farmers on the effective planting and maintenance of palm seedlings for good results, adding, “There are technicalities involved in palm planting and maintenance. If these farmers are not adequately educated and supported, the programme will be a waste.” [DAILY TRUST]

Nigeria-Kenya Agribusiness Partnership Forum set for launch in Nairobi, Kenya

With the vision to foster long term socio-economic growth of Nigeria and Kenya through private sector driven investments in agriculture and agribusiness, an agreement was made by the Presidents of both countries for the formation of the Nigeria-Kenya Agribusiness Partnership.
The partnership which has been encouraged by the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture – Dr. Akinwumi Adesina is to serve as a public-private sector institutional platform to help drive investments in agriculture and agribusiness between both countries.
The Nigerian Agribusiness Group – NABG, which has been charged with the responsibility to coordinate and guide the implementation of key objectives and deliverables of the Nigeria-Kenya Agribusiness Partnership Forum is set to arrive Nairobi, Kenya on the 10^th of September 2014.
The launch of the forum will promote increased global competitiveness, jobs and wealth creation in Nigeria and Kenya.

Got An Agribusiness Initiative? Enter For AGCO Africa Ambassador 2015 Contest to Win $10,000

AGCO Corporation, a global leader in Agriculture is organizing the AGCO Africa Ambassador contests to find one individual who will represent Africa in its programs for a one year period.
Do you have a business initiative or innovative idea that could help to develop your community or even the agricultural sector in #Africa? Do you enjoy #publicspeaking? Enter the video contest and be our next Ambassador! Your video entries are welcome from now on until October 17th, 2014 at 6pm EST.
Read the contest rules and connect to our other channels here: http://africa-ambassador.com/
Contest Rules
No Purchase necessary to enter or win!
Requirements
• Minimum age: twenty-one (21) years old
• Proof of African origin and valid passport from an African country
• Present residence in an African country
• Fluent in spoken English
• Some experience with speaking in front of a large audience
• No record of criminal behavior including crimes of moral turpitude or which might bring AGCO into disrepute
• No membership in extreme, radical or violent groups including but not limited to groups which advocate the violent overthrow of any government
• No human rights offenses

Must be available to participate in both Events: International Green Week Fair (January 16-25, 2015) and AGCO Africa Summit (January 19, 2015)
• Must be eligible to receive a visa to enter Germany during the Event
• May not be an employee or immediate family member of an employee with AGCO
• Eligible Participants may enter the Program by creating and submitting a video of themselves explaining why they should be chosen to act as the AGCO Africa Ambassador to Germany during the Event.
• The video must not contain obscenities or other objectionable content.
• Eligible Participants may enter as many times as they chooses so long as each Submission offers different content and perspective from a previous Submission by the Eligible Participant.
Multiple entries of the same Submission will result in disqualification.
• Your video should be uploaded on our Youtube page www.youtube.com/agcocorp as a video response to the contest video, posted on our AGCO Africa Ambassador Facebook page
www.facebook.com/AfricaAmbassador or Twitter page www.twitter.com/AGCOAmbassador or sent directly via email to info@africa-ambassador.com
• Submissions must be no less than thirty (30) seconds and/or no more than three (3) minutes in length.
• Men and women are welcome to participate in the contest
Winning
• Qualification for the contest begins on August 15th, 2014 at 10 am EST and ends on October 17th, 2014 at 6 pm EST.
• Submissions will be approved, judged and decided on by the AGCO marketing team. The announcement of the winner takes place on November 17th, 2014 on the Facebook page
www.facebook.com/AfricaAmbassador. Eligible Participants accept and acknowledge that the decision of the Judges is final.
Prize
• Hosting the AGCO Africa Summit on January 19, 2015 in Berlin, Germany.
• Representing your continent for AGCO as an AGCO Africa Ambassador at the International Green Week fair in Berlin, Germany from January 16-25, 2015.
• Responsibility in regular reporting (bi-weekly) about trends and developments in African agriculture and economy as well as AGCO‘s activities in Africa on Facebook and Twitter in posts, uploads and video messages during the one year contract period (when appropriate, participation at AGCO events in Africa).
• $10,000.00 cash award at the beginning of the one-year contract.
• Reimbursement for all reasonable traveling expenses solely related to participation as the AGCO Africa Ambassador

Breakdown and Modalities of the Agricultural Mechanization Programme – All you need to know

In a bid to speed up full establishment of the 1,200 private sector driven Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises (AEHE) across the states of the Federation the Presidency gave a directive to CBN to set aside ₦50 billion for the establishment of an Agricultural Mechanization Fund that will make credit available to farmers to mechanize their agricultural processes.
The beneficiaries of the mechanization subsidy are Nigerian farmers who are registered under the National Farmers Data Base.
The mechanization subsidy is targeted at small scale (subsistence) farmers with farm holdings ranging from 0.5 to 4 ha who have the desire to mechanize their farm operations.
Government will pay certain percentage of the cost of land preparations to mechanization service providers on behalf of farmers through the e-wallet system. This will enhance farmer’s productive capacity which will subsequently transform them from the subsistence farmers (using crude implements) to commercial farmers in line with the ATA 2015 target.

Breakdown  on the Private Sector Driven Agricultural Mechanization Programme
The Agricultural Mechanization Programme is a strategy put in place to set up Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprise (AEHE) in strategic locations to render farm gate mechanization services to Nigerian Farmers.
Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprise (AEHE) is to provide value added services, such as leasing/hiring out of various kinds of agricultural equipment for land preparation, harvesting and post-harvesting, repairs and maintenance of such equipment and as an incubator for training of personnel within farming communities.
Farmers can walk into an AEHE center and lease/hire agricultural machines to mechanize his/her farm operations for a fee without necessarily owning such machines.
Project Partners under the PPP that set up AEHE

• Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
• BOA and Development Agencies
• Financial Institutions
• Agro-machineries vendors / manufacturer’s representatives
• Service Providers Operators (farmers, farmer’s cooperatives, individuals and NGOs

Equipments in the AEHE Centre

• A minimum of five tractors
• Five power tillers
• Harvest and post-harvest equipment tailored towards predominant crops in the location

The refinancing funding plan for SPOs:

• Federal Government Funding loan – 35%
• Financial Institutions – 35%
• Vendors / Manufacturer’s Rep – 10%
• SPOs Equity – 20%

Tenure of funding loan, interest rate and repayment plan

• This refinancing loan to SPOs is repayable within four (4) years
• The Interest rate for the on-going Mechanization Intervention Programme (MIP) is 7% and it is subject to review beyond the MIP
• The first 2 years will be used to repay the Vendors 10% and BOA 35%
• Government loan will be repaid within the remaining 2years, with two years moratorium on both capital and interest.

Conditions for off-take of AEHE by the SPOs

• SPOs must provide 20% equity of the cost of an AEHE
• The AEHE Centre must be driven by the Private Sector Service Provider Operators (SPOs) in the conformity with project guidelines
• The location of the centre must be strategic to farming community with proven needs for mechanized services
• The SPOs must have fenced office / workshop where the services can be accessed by the farmers
• There must be Cooperative / commercial farmers who will be ready to off – take these services from the centre
• Readiness to insure the equipment with reputable Insurance Company
• SPOs must meet NIRSAL Mechanization Requirement to enjoy the 35% support from the Bank of Agriculture

Default and Penalty
If an SPO defaults in loan repayment as amortized after a grace period, the equipments in the AEHEs will be repossessed by the Ministerial Mechanization Task Force under the Agricultural Equipment Buy Back Scheme of the Project.
Such equipment will be refurbished and sold at a value commensurate to the default amount to offset the balance of the loan.
Potential Agro-machinery vendor
Agricultural machinery manufacturer’s representatives / vendors are dealers of mechanized farm equipments in the country that are considered as strategic partners in the Mechanization Project by providing their brands of equipment on the condition that:

• Agro-machineries manufacturer’s representative / vendor in the country must have a standard workshop
• Commitment to counterpart funding as stipulated by the project outline
• Ability to market the equipment brand to SPOs
• Vendor’s with after sales service strategy acceptable to the project
• Readiness of manufacturers to set up a Semi-Knock Down Plant in the country
• Evidence of availability of a minimum of 50 units of tractors within Nigeria

AGRO-MACH. DTC
Agro-Machinery Data Tracking Centre (Agro-Mach DTC.) is the state of the art agro-equipment data bank designed to keep track and inventory of all agricultural machinery deployed under this scheme and beyond to include all agro-machineries in the country to enable the country determine her agricultural mechanization level in terms of intensity and density.
Government Exit
The forces of demand and supply will interplay to decide when Government will exit from the project and hand it over completely to the private sector players while performing a regulatory role.

Proper Weed Management Can Increase Farm Harvest…Alfred Dixon

With the incessant menace caused by weeds on cassava, Dr. Alfred Dixon, an expert on weed management has called for the use of an integrated weed management approach as a means of safeguarding farm productivity.
Dr. Dixon, who also is  Project Leader, Sustainable Weed Management Technologies for Cassava Systems in Nigeria asserted this while briefing news men in Ibadan recently.
AgroNigeria’s Kehinde Osasona reports that the cassava researcher urged farmers to consider the integrated approach which, like the name implies, involves different methods of weed control. According to Dixon, ‘‘integrating legumes into the system as well as safe and judicious use of herbicides is recommended, especially for large scale farms”. He goes on to underscore the fact that good and sustainable weed management in cassava systems require careful and proper planning and enjoined practitioners to seek  professional advice once they are not sure of what to do. Noting that “with proper land preparation, weed wouldn’t be a problem to contend with but a poorly prepared seed bed would lead to high weed pressure and poor root yield”.
To this end, Dr. Dixon stated that farmers need to seek help from experts such as extension professionals, on the type of herbicide to use as well as the quantity and correct time to use the herbicides. “All that the farmer needs to know is whether the dominant weeds are broadleaved or grasses, whether they grow from year to year (perennials) or die after a season (annual).
This information is very helpful in planning weed control programmes” Dixon further emphasized while adding that farmers must be educated on the risks involved and the need to understand the type of weed vegetation in their farm(s), this being an important factor to consider in the aggregate weed management process.

Cassava Substitution Saves Nigeria ₦200 Billion Annually

The government’s policy on wheat importation has started yielding tremendous financial benefits as the Federal Government is saving ₦200 billion yearly from the 20 percent cassava substitution for wheat in bread making.
This was recently revealed by the Federal Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina at the inauguration of the Oamsal Cassava Flour Mill in Ayede Ekiti in Ekiti State.
The Minister stated that the agricultural transformation of the Federal Government was to add value to the Agric sector and support Nigerian farmers, as well as the 36 cassava bread bakers in the country so far in achieving their dreams.
Adesina while speaking promised to provide ₦1 million each to 35 Small and Medium Enterprises for infrastructure development, adding that the sum of 3.5 billion had so far been expended on the upgrading of facilities for small and medium scale enterprises to boost the economy and encourage entrepreneurs.
Commenting further he added that the FG is in partnership with research institutes, universities of agriculture and state governments on cassava plantation, as well as the designation of 5,000 hectares of land for cassava plantation to control the price and propel the bakers of cassava bread.
He afterwards enjoined Nigerians to eat more of cassava bread.

Stakeholders Target Agric Development In Schools

Buoyed by the need to rekindle the interest of youths in agribusiness, stakeholders in the Nigerian agricultural sector have teamed up to brainstorm on ways to sustain agricultural development in secondary schools.

At a two day meeting which recently held in Abuja, representatives from the federal and states ministry of agriculture including members of the Farmers Association gathered to discuss the need to make the agric sector appealing to youths.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Schools Agriculture Programme, Dr. Baraka Sani noted that the meeting was aimed at initiating ideas on the final implementation of the agricultural programmes in schools. She said it was necessary to give the youth proper orientation about agriculture.

In her words, “this is a real business set up because we want to change the perception of the students about agriculture, to see the good side of it and to see that indeed you can make money practicing as a farmer and as an agribusiness person’’.

Dr. Baraka revealed that about 850 student agriculture clubs are expected to be established with 22, 000 beneficiaries of the clubs to be equipped with vital skills for life.

According to her, “the President wants to make sure that this time around Nigeria is not left behind in the scheme of the agriculture club which promotes entrepreneurship globally”.

While rounding up the meeting, Dr. Baraka asserted that the students will be allowed to feature in horticulture, aquaculture, poultry and apiculture for honey production among others as an avenue to create decent jobs for youth and reduce poverty.

FG to Promote Modernized Agriculture with Launch of Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprise

The gathered momentum of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda has no plans to wane, as another milestone was achieved in Nigerian agriculture with the recent flag-off today at Sheda, Federal Capital Territory of the pioneer Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprise.
The inaugural event which was geared towards modernizing the agric sector had in attendance key policy makers led by President Jonathan GCFR, who was ably represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, GCON, alongside other notable Agriculture stakeholders.
The Federal Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, while addressing the audience outlined the expanding private sector investment in agriculture across the nation which according to him is the beginning of a new dawn being experienced by small holder farmers who are increasingly contributing to the decline in our national food import bill from ₦1.1 trillion ($6.9 billion) in 2009 to ₦684.7 billion ($4.35 billion) by December 2013, and which is still in a declining state.
He noted that despite current achievement and available potential, low level of mechanization in Nigerian agriculture has continued to serve as a huge challenge towards advancing the sector, as the high cost of land clearing is a major disincentive for the expansion of cultivated area, especially in the southern parts of the country due to the dense vegetation; while the high cost of mechanization, from plowing to harvesting, poses great challenges to farmers across the country.
In his speech he highlighted that the number of tractors per 100 square kilometers in Nigeria is less than 10, in comparison to over 728 in the UK, 257 in the USA, 200 in India, 130 in Brazil, 200 and 125 in the Philippines. Therefore productivity per area of land and productivity for labor in the agriculture sector of these countries are much higher than Nigeria.
In his own words he had this to say on mechanized farming, “Nigeria must, as a matter of national priority and urgency, fully mechanize the agricultural sector. Hoes and cutlasses do not reflect a modern agricultural system; they reflect suffering. As we change this, we must also change the model of achieving rapid mechanization in Nigeria. We must aggressively privatize the commercialization of agricultural machineries in Nigeria.”
Further speaking on the changes in the ministry, Dr. Adesina commented, “I wish to state clearly that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development no longer buys and distributes tractors, as has been the practice for decades. The Ministry now supports the private sector to drive the mechanization of Nigeria’s agriculture.”
The Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises (AEHEs), driven by the private sector, will provide access to affordable agricultural mechanization services for farmers.

How AFAN plans to mobilise farmers groups’

National President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Architect Kabiru Ibrahim, in this interview, says that his association is mobilising the over 30 million Nigerian farmers into a single formidable group. Excerpts:

Nigerian farmers are not properly coordinated. What is AFAN doing to raise awareness among them?  
So we are raising a lot of awareness. We are toeing 

the line of the transformation agenda of this administration and we are doing agribusiness. So we are waking people up to pick agriculture as a business. We are talking with all financial institutions, even development associations, international financial institutions, the World Bank and FAO. I told you we are even partnering with the biotechnology agency. We are working assiduously to make farmers come together as one, without looking at your religion, race or gender. We want all the farmers to come under one umbrella. We are not going to monopolise the knowledge of anything, as farmers we are all equal. What we are doing as leaders is to provide service. We are not paid any salaries, we are not going to monopolise anything that comes either from government, banks, or some grants.
How do you intend to address the age long allegations of leaders diverting grains?
When I was the president of poultry farmers association of Nigeria, there was a year I got 24, 000 metric tonnes of grains from the strategic reserve. I did not approve for myself a single grain. I gave the farmers. I believe that I cannot approve it for myself. The current president of the association allocated to me two truckloads of maize when he got allocation. I had no need for that, so I did not take it. We are going to replicate the same thing in AFAN. We are not going to take anything and keep it for ourselves; we will distribute to the farmers if anything comes to us. Every farmer in Nigeria is under AFAN. Being under AFAN means that they have a stake in AFAN and AFAN is their mouthpiece in agriculture. We will first of all work in such a way that government will be interested in what we do. But certainly we will not be another department in government or ministry of agriculture. We are an NGO and there is no law in Nigeria that says you must be our member. We will have to do something to make them become interested in what we do, that’s all. It is by our action that we will attract everybody and we will reduce rancour between our members.
The commodity association doesn’t seem to be flowing with AFAN.
When I was Vice President in charge of livestock and fisheries, I was selected as the person to talk to all commodities associations and bring them back into AFAN. We had a very useful meeting and everybody was ready to go and be part of AFAN. But some people who felt threatened kicked against that. Now that I am the president, I’m talking with them and even attending some of their meetings. The other day I went to the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Groundnut Association was having a meeting there, I addressed them and they were very happy. All of these associations are members of our chapter in grassroots, at the local government, and states.
How many farmers do we have in Nigeria?
I am compiling a compendium of all farmers in Nigeria. I believe by the time we finish, we would have no less than 30 million farmers in Nigeria. If all those 30 million farmers are talking with the same voice, and we all accept to pay a certain token, for registration as farmers, if 30 million brings N200 each, if you collect that in one pool, how much is that? Do we really need government to help us publicise what we want to publicise if we have that kind of money? So if you give us time you will hear about us. I didn’t tell you I was the president of AFAN, but you came to me. I don’t know where you heard that I was the president and you are here today. If you see that plague there (pointing at the table), Obafemi Awolowo University gave me. I couldn’t go but they sent it to me and it was brought to me in this hotel today. That’s why I’m displaying it here. So I am not aware of this noncooperation among farmers in this dispensation. But previously, we made government the centrepiece of our association. I kept cautioning people that you don’t have to do that. I was president of poultry farmers between 2008 and 2012, there was no time I said we were part of any government. We were doing good works and government appreciated what we were doing and they were helping us in their own way and we appreciated it. If this government helps us in any way, we would appreciate it but we will not antagonise government in any way. Because who is government? The people in government are they not farmers? Majority of them are farmers. And if they are not now, tomorrow they will become farmers. So, is in their interest to support us. So we are not quarrelling with anybody. Every farmer you see in Nigeria today is our own. We are all farmers. We have one common denominator-farming. We can only do something that can add value to agriculture. Anybody who comes with anything else is not one of us. We have no animosity towards anybody, and this is the way to go. We will have a very strong farmers’ association if we do this.[SOURCE: DAILY TRUST]