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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South Sudan still struggling over refugee crisis

The world's newest nation, South Sudan, after about six months of independence is still finding it difficult to cope with refugee crisis.

A press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet quoted Oxfam as noting that tens of thousands of people have left Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan across the border in Sudan due to violence.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that the fighting South Sudan state of Jonglei in the first week of the year affect about 60,000 people.

Another set of refugee, over 55,000 from Sudan's Blue Nile region have also arrived in Upper Nile state, the reason for the movement as gathered by NaijaAgroNet is due to conflict issue, and more refugees are still arriving and sheltering in newly established refugee camps where food and other essentials services are in short supply.

Oxfam, an international agency of 15 organizations working in 90 countries is trying to increase its water supply and sanitation work to cater for 25,000 of the new arrivals.

Oxfam's Regional Director for Horn, East and Central Africa, Fran Equiza said South Sudan is one of the poorest and least developed nations in the world and the influx of refugees is placing enormous strain on already scarce resources.

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Implement broad reconstruction plan, Oxfam urges Haiti govt

Oxfam has urged the Haiti government to ensure the implementation of broad reconstruction plan.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that about 520,000 people were still living under tarpaulins or in tents, after two years of earthquake as the country's reconstruction process.

Oxfam, an international agency of 15 organizations, in the press release called on Haiti government to execute a comprehensive reconstruction plan in order to rebuild the county and provide shelters for Haitians that are still homeless.

Donors were also urged to disburse the funds that was pledged to the reconstruction effort and international community were also called on to strengthen the government's capacity to effectively coordinate the reconstruction.

Cecilia Millan, Oxfam's country director in Haiti said the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake must be a call to action as Haitians are asking why there has not been more progress in rebuilding the country despite a new government in place and billions of aids dollars pledged.

"Despite the apparent slowness of reconstruction, this remains an opportunity for Haiti's political and economic elite to address the chronic poverty and inequality that has plagued the country since independence. Haiti must move forward not backward," said Millan.

With more than half a million houseless, cholera has claimed thousands of lives and it still remains a major threat to public health as most people do not have access  to doctor, running water and toilet.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that billions of dollars of aid were pledged for Haiti’s reconstruction, but promises of funding haven’t always been translated into money on the ground. According to the UN, as of the end of September 2011, donors had disbursed just 43 per cent of the $4.6 billion that they pledged for reconstruction in 2010 and 2011.

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US warns over food crisis in Sudan

The United State of America (USA) has warned of severe food crisis in Sudan, reports VOANews.

This warning came in the wake of series of denials of access to the United Nations and its aid partners, to the affected part of Sudan.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that the United State Ambassador, Susan Rice gave the warning in her letter to the President of the UN Security Council that without new and substantial aids to South Kordofan, people will eventually witness a famine.

In her letter, the Blue Nile state is also one of the states that need aids before March in order to fight the impending food crisis, revealing that nothing has happened despite efforts to urge Sudan's government to grant access to the affected areas. 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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