Kibaki calls for mechanized agriculture across EAC countries

The Kenyan President, Dr. Mwai Kibaki, has advocated for more efforts to mechanize agriculture all over the East African Countries (EAC), reports UgPulse.

Currently the Chairperson of the EAC Head of States Summit, Dr. Kibaki said that agriculture is the region's leading economic activity and yet most of the acts are still based on rudimentary tools couple with traditional practices.

He called for more effort to mechanize agriculture in order to improve farming methods and seeds which in turn will give quantity and quality output from agriculture.

NaijaAgroNet authoritatively gathered that the East African country president cited three key strategies that partner states need to inculcate for the community to succeed.

The three key strategies include economic diversification, improvement in ICT and Tourism sectors alongside investment in infrastructure as key drivers for the EAC economies. Read more

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Investments interest in agriculture on the rise - IIED

International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) had said that investments fund in agriculture shows a growing interest.

This was made known in a press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet, stating that lands and agribusinesses are on the global rush for investment.

Reasons for the increase in land investment as revealed by IIED could be linked to high long-term returns attributable to rising land prices, growing populations and increasing demand for food.

NaijaAgroNet also gathered that investments in the agrobusiness sector's sources are mostly financial players like pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and rich individuals.

Experts at IIED noted that an estimated US$14billion, about N2.234trillion in private capital has already been committed to investment in farmland and agricultural infrastructure. While a larger part of the fund is based in Europe and North America, whereas the figure according to analysts is expected to be doubled or tripled by 2015.

The potential for land values in Africa, they pointed out is much greater where farmland prices are comparatively low.

Returns on investment, as said by them is largely dependent on the prices of agricultural commodities which is the major reason some investors go for land with high yield potential, investing further in agricultural productivity in order to increase their annual returns.

Further, the fund structures in developing countries are reported to be on the increase, especially as they are being used to invest in agriculture, the investors are also being driven by the high expectation of returns which can be linked to rising land values and productivity.

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Nigerian farmers adopts new yam producing technique

Nigerian farmers may have adopted improved yam producing technique introduced by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) where that involves cutting tubers of yam into small sizes of between 50 and 100 grams, treating them with appropriate pesticides and insecticides before planting, reports ModernGhana.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that famers in Ekiti State in the Western part of the country who embraced the healthy seed yam producing technique in 2011 recorded bountiful yam production at the end of the season. 

Mr. Moses Oguniyi, a state extensionist who is the liaison with IITA scientists on the project, said farmers have more than doubled their seed yams.

“Some farmers planting 200 seed yams before now have enough to plant 500 heaps. Also the quality of the seed yams is very good and farmers love the technology,” he said.     

Preferred by most people in West Africa, he noted that yams are important sources of carbohydrates in the region which accounts for more than 90 per cent of production.

But a major limitation to production has been the high cost of seed production, in addition to pests and diseases, which lead to poor quality seed yam.

For many farmers, planting for the next cropping season usually demands setting aside up to one-third of harvest. Using the improved technology can reduce this proportion, leaving more yams to feed the family, while the better quality seed produces more still.

Bishop Samuel Oke of the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti West said he was happy that his parishioners participated in the project, citing its empowerment potential especially for those living in the rural areas.

“The healthy seed yam production came at the right time and it has produced benefits,” he said.

To improve the livelihoods of members of the church, the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti West has embarked on several agricultural programs including capacity building and training. One of the modules for training planned for this year is the healthy seed yam technology.

“A few people that participated last year got benefits and we want more to benefit hence the need for training and awareness of this technology,” Oke said. Read more

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NERC urges FG to boost mechanized farming

The Area Controller, South and Project Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Rotimi Mathew Agbogun has tasked the Federal Government to boost its agricultural development programmes in an effort to increase the country's export, reports Sun.

The call was made during the organized training for NEPC staffs and aqua-culture farmers from the Institute of Galilee in Israel. The training programme was jointly organized by NEPC and Israeli agricultural experts.

According to Mr. Agbogun, more can be achieved through proper export development and strategy. The country must not import everything.

Moving from the traditional old way of farming into modern agriculture, he said will ensure food security and on the other hand will also increase export opportunities in agriculture value chains.

“The problem of technology may be there but we will certainly, one day, become like the super countries,” said Agbogun. Read more.

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Lagos introduces Agric-YES

In a quest for human capital development through re-engineering of the nation's vocational system, the Lagos State government has introduced Agric-Youth Empowerment Scheme Programme (Agric-YES), Leadership.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that Agric-YES is one of the initiatives geared at improving food production and supply in the state; in the areas of aquaculture, poultry, piggery, and fishery to name a few.

A beneficiary of Agro-YES, Miss Olanrewaju Oloko, a Biochemistry graduate of the Lagos State University (LASU) said she enrolled for Agric-YES programme after her degree in 2008 in an effort to contribute towards food production in Lagos State as there is increase in the rate of unemployment.

“Food is a special need in human life. It is a weapon in term of war. So, I desire to do whatever that can help me contribute to the development process in my immediate community and beyond. This is in line with the vision of the Agric-YES-to ensuring food security in the state,” she said.

Another degree holder who also benefitted from Agric-YES, Mr. Salami Bolaji said he now earns a minimum of N100,000 per month for engaging in agriculture.

NaijaAgroNet recalls that the goal of the Agric-YES scheme is to train 1,000 youths in mechanised farming in the next five years. Already, two sets of 200 youths have been trained. Read more

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