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Friday, September 28, 2012

UNCCD, WMO call for more efforts against climate change threats


The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), have called for more efforts to combat the threat of climate change as well as its effects on global food security.
They also said this effort underlines the vulnerability of an inter-connected world to a natural hazard.
The UN agencies are also stepping up efforts more coordinated and proactive policies to manage drought risk and fill existing vacuum in virtually every nation.
A joint press release by the two agencies made available to NaijaAgroNet revealed that WMO, UNCCD and other UN partners plan a high-level meeting on National Drought Policy between 11 and 15 March, 2013.
NaijaAgroNet recalls that the July 31 edition of the US Drought Monitor, a weekly map that provides an accurate way to express drought conditions to decision makers and the public, reveals that 62.9 per cent of the contiguous US was experiencing moderate to exceptional droughts.
Recent report about India by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also shows that there is a weak southwest torrential rain which began early June 2012, and led to deficient rainfall in 50 per cent of the 624 districts of India through the end of July.
NOAA’s State of the Climate Global Analysis for July 2012 states that the global average temperature for July 2012 is the fourth warmest July since 1880. It also marked the 329th consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average.
NaijaAgroNet recalls that severe drought developed in parts of East Africa towards the end of 2010 and spilled over to 2011 affecting eastern and northern Kenya, western Somalia and some part of southern border of Ethiopia.
And according to the 2011 WMO Statement on the Status of the Global Climate, the most significant drought of 2011 was in the south-central United States and adjacent areas of northern Mexico.
WMO Secretary General, Michel Jarraud affirmed that climate change is projected to lead to increase in the frequency, intensity and duration of droughts. Michel also warns that the change will have impact on many sectors especially food, water and energy. “We need to move away from a piecemeal, crisis-driven approach and develop integrated risk-based national drought policies.”
Also speaking, the UNCCD Executive Secretary, Luc Gnacadja explains that developed and developing countries are vulnerable to drought following the 2010 drought-inclined famine in the Horn of Africa as well as the ongoing crisis in the Sahel region and the extensive drought in USA.
Gnacadja recommended effective long-term solutions in mitigating the effects of droughts, addressing desertification. Mainstreaming of land degradation in national development plans and policies was also recommended.


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New forest investment guidance to triple returns

A man siting next to a felled tree at the Afi mountain
forest reserve near Ikom, cross River, Nigeria 

Various discussions between investors and forest rights-holders in the recent times have led to a new guideline for investment with the capability of returning three-fold on investments.
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) revealed to NaijaAgroNet in a press statement that the investment guideline if followed will provide livelihood security for local communities and protection for forests.
The guide emanated from eleven meetings organised by The Forests Dialogue (TFD) on behalf of Growing Forest Partnerships and with the support of IIED, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, FAO and the World Bank.
Commenting on the advice on investment in locally-controlled forestry, Gary Dunning of TFD said that the guide shows how investors and forest-dependent community form mutually-beneficial partnerships that would deliver social, environmental and economic gains.
The meetings have in attendance indigenous people, family foresters, researchers, government representatives, investment bankers, donors and philanthropists to share views on the role of investment in the forest sector.
The new guidelines, according to IIED is a representation of the insights of the meetings' participants with many case studies from across the globe showing how investment in locally-controlled forestry offers investors secure access, reduced risks and better long term management opportunities and an evidence of social and environmental sustainability.
The lead author of the guide, Dominic Elson said investing in locally controlled forestry not only leads to improved economic outcomes but it also leads to an improvement in the political economy in a way that can help governments of developing countries to shift into a more sustainable, low-carbon development path.
The guide looks in detail at how to encourage a happy marriage between ‘enabling investments’ that prepare the ground for commercial success and ‘asset investments’ that seek a return, usually as profit or products.
The leader of the team that produced the guide, Chris Buss of IUCN said strong businesses generate profits worthy of asset investment, “But growing those businesses may need enabling investments from NGOs, philanthropists or governments for infrastructure, capacity building or to secure and formalise commercial forest rights."
Another contributor to the guide, Duncan Macqueen of IIED that forests provide livelihoods for a billion people, adding that “About a quarter of the world’s forests are locally controlled, by members of three major alliances of indigenous peoples, forest communities and private family smallholders."
Macqueen revealed that forests also provide goods and services worth $75 - $100 billion annually, stressing "What’s missing is the investment that can boost these benefits in a sustainable way and put local people in the driving seat.”

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Investing in science can reduce water risks – study


Recent study on water-related project has revealed that investment in science could help to reduce risks associated with water resources.
The study was conducted by the largest public funder of projects to improve the global environment and promote sustainable development, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the partnership of the United Nations University and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
About 200 major international water-related projects over the past two decades were studied which gave room for the identification of existing as well as emerging challenges and how science could offer solutions.
A press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet revealed that the study extracted lessons from a portfolio of major transboundary water projects involving investments of more than US$7 billion, about N1,1 billion.
It is also revealed that river basins in particular are set to experience growing pressures as a result of urbanization, rising water scarcity and poor water quality.
GEF warns that the linkage between science and policymaking needs strengthening, and that the consequences of poor decision-making are dire leading to water-bankruptcy in some regions in the world with their adverse effects on food and energy security.
The study showed a significant drop in the level of dissolved oxygen levels in marine areas which is a critical ecological indicator. A major increase of stored heat in oceans was also highlighted in the report.
The director, United Nations University International Network on Water, Environment and Health, Zafar Adeel said the study underscores how often early 'alarm bells' with respect to emerging issues can be heard and must be heeded.
"The report offers helpful recommendations to the GEF to foster this process," he said.
Also commenting, the GEF's International Waters Focal Area Coordinator, Ivan Zavadsky said that over 20 years GEF has catalyzed the largest investment of its kind in human history.
“GEF's $1.3 billion catalyzed a total of $7 billion of investment in managing shared waters - fresh and marine - in almost every part of the planet, above and below its surface," Ivan said.
"World leaders agreed at the Rio+20 summit in June to strengthen the science-policy interface and to foster international research collaboration on sustainable development. This is especially important in respect to water resources at a point in time of unprecedented pressures from climate change and urbanization to pollution and over extraction," said UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.


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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Koffi Annan leads speakers for Green Revolution Forum

Koffi Annan, former UN Sec. Gen.

The former United Nations' Secretary General, Mr. Koffi Annan has been confirmed as one of the key speakers at the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) 2012 slated for 26th through 28th September 2012 in Tanzania.
Melinda Gate, wife of Microsoft's Bill Gate is also one of the key speakers for the forum while Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete and African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr Donald Kaberuka are expected to grace the forum.
Other confirmed speakers include International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD's) President, Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, Tanzanian Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Eng. Christopher Chiza.
The forum would discuss appropriate ways to boost investments and innovations for sustainable agriculture growth and food security alike.
NaijaAgroNet gathered that the future of agriculture development in Africa will also form part of the discussions at the forum following the fact that food security now tops global agenda and leaders are beckoning on the continent's agriculture for the rescue.
AGRF 2012 will also have in attendance African heads of state, ministers, farmers, private agribusiness firms, financial institutions, NGOs, civil society and scientists, to deliberate on the right ways to scale up investments and innovation for sustainable agricultural growth and food security.

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NDE to partner youths to increase youths' interest in agric


The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in partnership with the Society of Youths in Agriculture (SYA) is set to reawaken youths' interest and agriculture and allied business.
NDE Director General, Malam Abubakar Mohammed said the directorate is ready to collaborate with SYA through the empowerment of youths by providing skills and tools to start agricultural business.
Commenting on the gesture of the directorate, SYA President, Bakere Oladimeji affirmed that the objective of the society is to pave way for an avenue for change in the social order while contributing significantly towards building the nation.
Oladimeji said there is a serious disconnection between youths in Nigeria and agriculture business.
NaijaAgroNet gathered that NDE DG adopted SYA as a development partner that the two bodies would collaborate in rural and integrated farming.
Malam Mohammed advised members of SYA to boost their advocacy and sensitization, and also partner their immediate communities.


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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

IITA boosts food security in Cameroon with cassava varieties



At the presentation of the cassava varieties
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in a bid to boost the agricultural sector in Cameroon on food security has unveiled improved cassava varieties.
IITA revealed to NaijaAgroNet in a press statement that five new improved cassava varieties were released to safeguard the lives of millions of Cameroonians.
These varieties namely with genotypes TMS 92/0326, TMS 96/1414, TMS 96/0023, TMS 92/0057, and TMS 92/0067, according to IITA were developed through conventional breeding by the institute and some other partners.
The improved varieties would improve nutritional values through the provision of caratenoids, iron and zinc as they have an estimated 20 tonnes to 35 tonnes per hectare.
Programme National de Development des Racines et Tubercules (PNDRT), the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), non-governmental organizations as well as local farmers partnered IITA on this project.
According to the IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, who was quoted as saying that the varieties would help close the yield gaps while improving yield and increasing farmers' revenue especially those that rely on cassava for livelihood.
"IITA will continue to support farmers in Cameroon by offering improved varieties and technologies that address the constraints to development in tropical nations," the IITA boss said.
Cameroonian Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Essimi Menye commended the efforts of IITA in developing these varieties, adding that the new they would assist the nation to take advantage of the opportunities of the crop which is one of the major staples in Cameroon.
As said by IITA, Cassava in Cameroon is either boiled and eaten, or processed into local delicacies such as Mitumba, Baton de manioc, Beignets de manioc, gari, and Ndas among others. Other use includes ethanol production, inclusion in bread production ad glucose syrup production.

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Friday, September 14, 2012

UN urges political leaderships to lead disaster management

Dr. Satterthwaite, IFAD Senior Fellow

The United Nations (UN) has found out that political leadership is very crucial in terms of protecting lives and economic assets of cities from disasters.
The 2012 report of Making Cities Resilient, a major urban safety campaign launched two years ago by UN revealed to NaijaAgroNet that local governments through a team led by a Senior Fellow of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Dr. David Satterthwaite, had reduce disaster risk.
A press release made available to NaijaAgroNet by IIED revealed that despite rise in extreme weather events, Dr. Satterthwaite’s team affirmed that the Making Cities Resilient campaign is proving that urbanization does not have to lead to an increase in risk. "Where city and local governments demonstrate leadership and competence in working with low-income populations living in informal settlements flood impacts can be reduced and the threats from other natural hazards minimized," part of the report stated.
The campaign created by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction now have over 1,050 members from major metropolis across San Francisco, Copenhagen, Cape Town and Mumbai to small towns in countries such as Austria and Pakistan.
Margareta Wahlström, the UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction also disclosed that over $100 billion, about N16.1 trillion is lost to disasters annually for the past two decades.
"Most of these damages can be avoided through better risk management and investment in social and structural infrastructure," said Wahlström that some communities are already leveraging on whatever resources they have to reduce the impact of disaster event in their environs.
Wahlström cited an example of such communities to be the local government of Siquirres in Costa Rica which joined the campaign and in six months was able to avoid the usual annual flood of February in 2012.
"There are many cities like Siquirres which are proving that if you manage your risks, you build your resilience to disasters and avoid unnecessary disruption in the home and the workplace,” she concluded.


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IFAD to support Yemen with N6.6b


The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has promised to support agriculture and rural development in Yemen with the sum of $41 million, about N6.61 billion.
IFAD made the pledge after a two-day meeting held in Saudi Arabia, according to a press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet by Jessica Thomas from IFAD.
The $41 million pledge is made up of $31 million from IFAD’s core resources and $10 million from the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP), a new financing instrument established by IFAD to scale up and integrate climate change adaptation in smallholder development projects.
The meeting was developed by Yemen’s Government of National Reconciliation with support from the European Union (EU), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), World Bank (WB) and United Nations organisations and IFAD.
Also, the meeting attracted over 280 participants from 27 donor countries, 36 regional development international financial institutions, and observers from NGOs as well as private sector.
The money pledge according to IFAD is for Yemen government to develop new projects during the transition period.
NaijaAgroNet recalls that IFAD commenced operations in Yemen since 1979 which has seen to the enhancement of rural economic growth through the support given to national programmes in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Cereal price remain high in Nigeria despite good harvest

Maize Plant

Despite a bountiful harvest in 2011 in Nigeria, the market price of cereal is still on the upward trend.
NaijaAgroNet recalls that the forecast for cereals production for 2012 set a new record at 2,371 million tonnes as against 2,344 million tonnes of 2011.
Resources made available to NaijaAgroNet by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) revealed that the growing price of cereal is attributable to the removal of fuel subsidy in the early days of 2012 by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Other factors responsible for the price hike include civil strive and insecurity in the northern part of the country, strong cereal demand from the brewing as well as the huge demand from poultry sector.
NaijaAgroNet further gathered that in spite of the huge record forecast, the Sahel belt still has a reduction in cereal production which also affected supplies.
Ironically, FAO affirmed that some sub-regions recorded price reductions during the early period of the harvest season, citing an instance with Damanau International Market in Kano, which recorded the highest decline in the West Africa region within this period.
According the UN agency, Dawanau International Market recorded a 12 per cent and 15 per cent decline in the prices of maize and sorghum respectively compared a month prior to harvest.


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Burkina Faso loses N24.9b to food deficiencies - World Bank

Compaoré, Burkina Faso President

Global financial apex institution, the World Bank has discovered lose of $158 million, about N24.979 billion by Burkina Faso, to vitamin and mineral deficiencies annually.
According to World Bank, micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in Burkina Faso which contributes greatly to loss of lives as well as diminished productivity.
Further NaijaAgroNet learnt that improving core micronutrient interventions amounts to $10 million, about 1.58 billion per year.
Highlighting other challenges facing the West African country, the international bank revealed that more than one-third of child deaths are attributable to under-nutrition and increased severity of disease, and that 36 per cent of children under the age of five are stunted, 19 per cent are wasted, and 32 per cent are underweight.
Part of the recommendations proffered by World Bank for Burkina Faso includes involving multiple sectors to ensure that diverse and nutritious diets are available, and accessible to all household members.
The recommended sectors to be involved include agriculture, education, transport, gender, the food industry, health and other sectors.
Steps taken by the international financial institution include the recent support to Burkina Faso with $40 million, about N6.31billion Agricultural Productivity and Food Security Project.


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BioFISA records achievement against hunger


An initiative of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), BioFISA after four years of operation can now boost of some achievements in fighting hunger, curing diseases as well as livestock sustainability.
NEPAD revealed to NaijaAgroNet in a press statement that BioFISA over the past four years has made effective progress in the areas of the control of HIV infection, livestock disease and development of plant genetic resources guidelines.
The Director of the NEPAD Southern African Network for Bioscience (SANBio), Prof Luke Mumba attributed the achievements to the use of biosciences at BioFISA's primary strategy and continued support from the governments of the Finland and South Africa.
According to Prof. Mumba, BioFISA has helped small-scale farmers in growing and preserving mushroom, developing fish farming and promoting indigenous knowledge systems and scientific validation of traditional remedies.
“Now that we have started making use of the treasure in Africa, there is an imperative need to now focus on preserving, protecting and responsibly sharing indigenous knowledge within African communities to build synergies,” Prof Mumba added.
Speaking about the achievements of BioFISA, a Senior Coordinator of NEPAD's CEO’s Office, Mr. Abdoul Salam Bello said the programmes has affected over 600 small-scale mushroom growers in Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland, while training more than 100 agriculture extension officers and researchers from Angola, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia in mushroom farming.
NaijaAgroNet further gathered that BioFISA which is a Finland and Southern Africa Partnership Programme to Strengthen NEPAD/SANBio currently covers eight research and development projects in 12 Southern African countries in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Seychelles, Zambia and Zimbabwe.


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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

FAO boss urges academia to join fight against hunger

José, FAO Director General

The Director-General of the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), José Graziano da Silva has called on the academia to be involved in the essential and politically important research into rural poverty.
According to José, one of the great challenges man faces today is to make use of academic knowledge to comprehend and improve the life of rural populations all over the world. “We need to look at the reality outside of university walls,” he said.
José in a press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet affirmed that food insecurity, nutrient deficiencies and unsafe food top the list of most pressing issues in the fight against hunger and rural development.
Unequal competition between small-scale and large scale food producers, NaijaAgroNet gathered also contributes to hunger, yet small-scale farmers account for a larger percentage of food produce and any unequal competition will drive them out of operation.
“Academics should look into the issue of governance of the food and agriculture sector, both at global and local levels, and how to achieve a fair distribution of benefits,” José recommended that there is the need to reduce transportation and storage cost as well as food waste and loss if we want more people to be eating healthy diets, based on fresh foods.
The FAO boss also recommended a better conceptual clarification and practical proposals from academics and policy makers.



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Bioenergy investors invade Africa, tackles food security

Head of NEPAD Energy Programme, Professor Mosad Elmissiry

A two-day bioenergy symposium brought together the experts and bio-energy investors to Johannesburg city in South Africa to deliberate on exploration of the continent’s resources by bioenergy industry for better energy and food security.
The bioenergy symposium hosted by the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) discussed ways of tapping into Africa’s resources in a bid to produce clean energy fuels.
The Energy Programme Head, at NEPAD, Prof. Mosad Elmissiry said NEPAD’ objective is to drive bioenergy programmatic activities and see real results that NEPAD is a result-oriented organisation.
The symposium also sees to the review of conditions, criteria and operation model to set-up Incubator Fund.
Also speaking about the outcome of the symposium, the Project Team leader of BizClim, Gavin Maxwell said Africa needs a solution that encourages enterprise and rewards work.
“This needs both public and private investment harnessed and distributed through a trusted channel, and that is the idea role for the Bio-Enterprise Incubator Fund,” Gavin explained.
He added that as BizClim is a European Union Project providing technical assistance for improving the business climate in Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean, it has the interest of Africa at heart to be part of the symposium.
NEPAD boss, Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki told participants to think radically on how to forge strong partnerships which could tackle developmental challenges in the continent as NEPAD’s role is to ensure the implementations of decisions are taken on energy.
Equally commenting, Ms. Nomfundo Mthembu of Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), says “Their approach is commendable as it involves a wide variety of delegates from the Bioenergy community. Unlike other development approaches, this approach is a “bottom-up” approach which is mostly guaranteed to achieve a higher level of success.”


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Monday, September 10, 2012

ECOWAS partner UNDP to boost food production


The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered in a scheme towards value addition for a number of key crops in the West Africa sub-region.
The partnership seeks to boost food production in the sub-region while creating jobs, increasing farmers' income opportunities and Small and Medium Enterprise that deal with cash crops.
Some of the crops sidelined for the initiative include mangoes, onions and cassavas. NaijaAgroNet learnt that Cassava has been chosen following its classification as staple food in Sierra Leone and Ghana over the past three years while Nigeria is on the forefront of its producers in the region.
Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali are the leading producers of onion in the region, however NaijaAgroNet further gathered that these three countries face stiff competition from farmers in Europe, Asia and North Africa as regards quality and packaging.


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Invest in forestry, get triple investment returns - IIED

Duncan Macqueen, IIED Forest Team Leader

Forestry experts at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) have called on investors to invest in locally controlled forest as the sector offers a triple investment returns.
The Head of forest team at IIED, Duncan Macqueen said the investment would also lead to secured income streams for people that depend on forest for survival which would in turn give better prospects for forest protection.
Macqueen revelation, according to NaijaAgroNet findings show that investment in locally controlled forestry also needs advocacy in a bid to secure and formalise commercial forest rights as well as business capacity development to convert the rights to self-sufficient businesses.
He also preached organisation should build to achieve scale efficiencies and market negotiating power, and deal brokering so as to ensure that investors play fair with local groups.


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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

IITA, ABUAD sign MoU to unlock potentials in Africa



International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) in order to unlock Africa's potential in agriculture, natural resources and human.
NaijaAgroNet gathered that the MoU is to serve as a linking bridge between the two institutions to boost cooperation so as to complement each other's research efforts.
Commenting on the MoU, Director General of IITA, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga expressed the institute's excitement over the MoU that IITA is confident to work with ABUAD to tackle hunger and poverty challenges on the continent.
"The MoU will help in building the critical human capital that will address the present and future challenges of not only agriculture but also development," Dr. Sanginga said, adding that agriculture is faced with several constraints like climate change, pests and diseases.
He said the objective of the MoU is a meaningful avenue to engage the youths and give them the tools to be productive.
Specifically, IITA and ABUAD will collaborate in research and development topics of mutual interest, develop joint research and development project proposals, organize joint research activities, conferences, and workshops, establish linkages between IITA and ABUAD scientists, exchange students, and share research materials and publications of common interest.
Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Sidi Osho said the MoU would also help to boost food production and security. Prof. Osho also revealed that the MoU will confer great benefits on the university in terms of international linkages, exchange programs, strengthening research and offering qualitative strategies for administrative capacity.

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UN calls for urgent actions against food price hike



The United Nations (UN) agencies have called for swift and coordinated international actions in a bid to maintain stable prices for food stocks.
In a press statement jointly prepared by three UN agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) made available to NaijaAgroNet, revealed the need to maintain food price so that it does not turn to a catastrophe.
This, the agencies said, could hurt tens of millions over the coming months, and that the problems of some high food prices must be solved as well as the long-term issue of how we produce and consume.
Also, the agencies, disclosed that the food price hike does not affect every country in same way that the urban, rural poor and those in food import-dependent countries are most vulnerable to the international increase in prices as the listed categories spent a larger part of their incomes on food.
Findings by the bodies affirmed that although some smallholder farmers fall into the category of poor and food insecure that they can powered to take the food price hike advantages by becoming part of the solution and improve the overall food security.
NaijaAgroNet learnt that part of initiatives employed by the UN agencies comprise the UN High-Level Task Force on Global Food Security and Agricultural Markets Information System (AMIS), to improve transparency in the global food market.
Also part of the initiative, the Rapid Response Forum was set up to facilitate coordinated policy responses by the major world producers and traders of key cereals and soybeans.
WFP made an estimation of extra $200 million, about N31.6 billion per year for food assistance for every 10 per cent increase in food price; everyone is vulnerable as global grain production in a good year is not enough to meet the growing demand for food.
 

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