Adesina applauds GEJ over 2013 agric budget

The Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has applauded the proposed 2013 budget for agriculture, presented last Wednesday to the joint session of the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan.

This is coming as there will be a five-year tax holiday for sugarcane and sugar value chain investors, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NaijaAgroNet recalls that President Jonathan had proposed the sum of N81.41 billion for agriculture in the 2013 budget.

Speaking on the budget to his ministry, Dr. Adesina told  that the amount allocated showed that President Goodluck Jonathan was confident that the sector could once again be the driving force of the economy.

NAN reports that allocation increased by less than three per cent over the current appropriation which stood at N78.9 billion.

The Federal Government also announced a number of measures aimed at boosting the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Jonathan, while presenting the budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, said that there would be a five-year tax holiday for sugarcane and sugar value chain investors.

The president added that the machinery and spare parts imported for local sugar manufacturing industries would attract zero per cent import duty starting from January 2013.

He also said that the import duty for rice would be increased to encourage local rice production.
Adesina, however, said that the issue of budget was all about how the allocation was utilised.

He explained that a total of 7.8-billion-dollar private sector funding had been injected into the sector.

``In addition to that we have been able to get so many local companies to process agriculture produce.’’
He said that through the Federal Government’s initiatives on cassava, rice, maize and soya beans about 8.1 million metric tonnes of food would be added to domestic supply.

He recalled that President Jonathan had promised that his administration would add 20 million tonnes of food to domestic supply by 2015, adding that this was only the first year.

``That is about 41 per cent of what we are targeting for in 2015. So we are working very hard.’’ Adesina said.

He promised that the ministry under his leadership and that of  Alhaji Bukar Tijani, would ensure that Agriculture Transformation Agenda achieved its aim.
 
Remmy Nweke with agency report
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Anambra sets up flood disaster emergency fund, aid yet to get to Awba-Ofemili

The Anambra State government has set up a three-man flood disaster emergency fund made up of the Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Economic Planning, Prof. Mrs. Chinyere Stella Okunna, Ms. Ngozika B. Okoye, Hon. Commissioner for Finance and Mrs. Azuka Enemo, Hon. Commissioner for Local Government.

This is coming as the Awba-Ofemili is yet to receive practical aid from the government.

Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze, disclosed these in a press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet at the weekend.

Mr. Obaze also disclosed that two bank accounts, namely at Diamond Bank - 0028548840 and Fidelity Bank – 4020912984; were opened for this purposes and to facilitate the work of the state government in alleviating the effects of current flood rage across the state.

The Anambra State Government (ANSG) invited Anambrarians and the Nigerians at home and in  Diaspora as well as all well-meaning citizens of the world to rally support for the affected citizens of Anambra State.

The bigger challenge, he said, would be in the medium and longer terms, when the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would need to be returned to their respective homes, rehabilitated and resettled after the flood recedes.

The ANSG, he said, would be counting on the Federal Government, its agencies, especially National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its international partners, to join with it in overcoming the unprecedented humanitarian challenge.

“We thank all those who have expressed concern in cash or in kind or sent goodwill messages about this catastrophic disaster,” he said.

ANSG acknowledged that well-meaning citizens and organizations have also been making donations in kind, through State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

All in-kind donations, Obaze pointed out should be directed to the SEMA office along the Enugu-Onitsha Road (by J-Jumac Hotel), Awka, even as SEMA could be reached by phone 08037424242. 

NaijaAgroNet confirms that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Obaze visited the Awba-Ofemili Amensea axis of Awka-North LGA, but could not get to Awba-Ofemili due to submerged road.

NaijaAgroNet:
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Awba-Ofemili town sacked by River Niger flood

Gov. Peter Obi, please do something!

The Awba-Ofemili town in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State has been cut-off by the surge of River Niger, culminating in the loss of properties and agricultural products worth billions of Naira.

Awba-Ofemili is mainly an agrarian community located less than 25 minutes drive from the capital city of Awka, Anambra State and is reputed for massive rice production.

The Awba-Ofemili town in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State has been cut-off by the surge of River Niger, culminating in the loss of properties and agricultural products worth billions of Naira.

Confirming this, chairman, Lagos branch of Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU), Mr. Kenneth Okoye in a chat with newsmen lamented the situation, saying that Awba-Ofemili as an agrarian community known for rice production has lost a lot of economic products worth billions of Naira, including cassava, yam and plantain farms.

He described as unbelievable that the flood has continue to wax stronger in the face of seemingly nothing being done by the government, he enjoined well spirited individuals to come to the aid of the towns affected by this River Niger surge, especially Awba-Ofemili.

As at the time of filing this report, the Awba-Ofemili town has been seriously divided with this surge that farmers no longer attend to their farms, while all the eight villages that made up the town have been drastically affected.

Our reporter who visited the community and spoke to some of the indigenes discovered that one of the villages in Awba-Ofemili, Umuosite, has since last week been cut off with most residents relocating to a building along Umuosite Road for refuge, while those living along the Umuosite road have been sacked by the flood as they now use canoe to pass between Umuosite and other villages like Oyeagu and Akpana.

One of the residents and women leader in Awba-Ofemili, Madam Christiana Nweke said that the level of flood has reached a lintel of one of the storey buildings along Umuosite Road and made the road, especially leading to farm lands around that area unaccessible by the day.

She also called on the government, especially Gov. Peter Obi to quickly come to their aid, while praying that the River Niger surge subsidizes soon.

It was further gathered that the only major road leading to Awba-Ofemili, which has been begging for attention over the years, has been cut off too as indigenes trying to access Awka the capital city of Anambra State has to be ferried twice before they could even get to neighbouring towns like Ugbene, Ugbenu.

At the Agu-enu part of the town, especially behind the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, the flood has not stopped.

Hon. Mrs. Joy Enweluzor, chairperson, Awka-North, it was gathered visited the Awba-Ofemili town, Tuesday on canoe with her team of executive and promised to send food stuff and other aids to the town.

Our sources said that several letters on the flood of Awba-Ofemili and environ have been communicated to the government of Anambra State.

They called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to remember the Awba-Ofemili town in distribution of aids for the flood victims.

 

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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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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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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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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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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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