Okomu Palm Oil rewards 70 employees for long service

NaijaAgroNet:

Okomu Oil Palm Company Limited based in Edo State has honoured over 70  employees with long service award for loyalty, honesty and dedication of service.

Speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company Limited, Graham Hefer who is also a recipient of the award of excellent and exemplary transformational leadership from Agricultural/Allied Employee Union of Nigeria, Okomu Brance commended the awardees and urged them to remain focus and dedicated to the service of the company.

 “I thank you for your commitment, courage and dedication to the company for all these years; you are the foundation of the company. I encourage you to stay more and urge others to stay long as well, when this happens, the company becomes stable, this equally lead to growth of both human and material resources of the company” Hefer said.

The Human Resource Manager, Fedelis Olise called on all staff of the organization who wants to benefit from the organization to embrace discipline and resist temptation.
“Discipline is what is needed in life to make success. This act by members of staff has moved the company forward to greater height. If we must leave a mark on the sand of time, we must be discipline in all we do,” Olise said.

One of the recipients of the award, Uche Kika informed NaijaAgroNet that he has served the organization for 20 years, stressing that there have been great transformation in terms of human and material resources and the working environment has been made conducive for all staff to give its best for effective service delivery.

AN/GEE

 NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, people & technology

EU, FAO call for funds to combat cassava diseases in Africa

NaijaAgroNet:

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) have called for increased investments to prevent further crop damage and the rapidly spreading strains of cassava disease.

This position was made in a statement by the two bodies as the outcome of the meeting of 70 regional cassava professionals in Nairobi, Kenya where it was decided that a minimum of $100 million ( about  N15.9 billion) is needed to continue the efforts of the EU funded, FAO coordinated Regional Cassava Initiative.

 NaijaAgroNet gathered from the statement that over a four-year period, the initiative has improved food security and repaired damaged yields in the areas affected by cassava disease and noted that the project is set to end without further investment.

Seven countries including Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda worked with the initiative to offer cassava farmers disease resistant plants and clean materials.

Although these efforts curbed the effects of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD), Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) continues to spread, threatening the food security of the 135 million people in the region, while NaijaAgroNet learnt that without continued funding of the Initiative, CBSD is likely to spread into Nigeria, the biggest cassava-producing nation in Africa.

AN/GEE

NaijaAgroNet:
... Linking agrobiz, people & technology

FISON President condemns lawlessness in Nigerian fishing industry

NaijaAgroNet:

The National President of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Dr. Abbah Y. Abdullah has said that the absence of laws to regulate the activities of operators in the Nigerian fishing industry has brought lawlessness which has greatly impeded the sustainable exploitation and utilization of the nation’s fisheries resources over the years.

Abdullahi made this statement at the National Validation Workshop for the review and update of the Inland Fisheries Act 1992 held in Abuja, under the aegis of the European Union (EU) by the Federal Department of Fisheries in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and  described the existing Fisheries Act as ‘inadequate and outdated.’

He stated that in line with international best practice, Nigeria requires a holistic fisheries act that will ensure proper conservation, management and development of the sea fisheries, inland fisheries, aquaculture and other related matters.

“Operators in the fisheries sector do whatever they like, so we need an Act that will curtail their excesses, focus on technological, socio-economic and political development and other issues in the sector in line with international best practice and international instruments signed by Nigeria,” he said.

Dr. Abdullah informed NaijaAgroNet that the European Union which sponsored the current review has observed the lawlessness in the Nigerian fishing industry and is addressing it accordingly, because no investor is ready to put money in an unregulated industry.

*With additional report from the Nation

NaijaAgroNet
... Linking agrobiz, people & technology

Lack of advocacy, bane of research to investors – NAFN president

NaijaAgroNet:

Inadequate advocacy and sensitisation on the part of government  and lack of interest on the part of the private sector in commercialising local research findings has been attributed as the reason why private sector don’t appreciate the inherent benefits of such findings.

The National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN), Senator Abdullahi Adamu told  NaijaAgroNet while explaining that government has not been able to address the issues to a point that the private investor can appreciate such research because the advantages that will accrue to him or her over any subject matter of research are not known.

Adamu cited the case of United Kingdom under late Mrs Margaret Thatcher and United States of America under Ronald Reagan tenure and posited that before they went into full privatisation of railway system, the ordinary Briton or American knew what was railway and that it was functioning.

“They knew the advantages of travelling by rail as compared with travelling by road in a car or lorry; they knew the difference between travelling by train and travelling on the high seas overseas or by ship; they knew the implications. The private sector, if you want them to be involved in these things, there must be good advocacy on the side of the government,” Adamu said.

NaijaAgroNet recalls from Adamu that there was need for government to publicise such research, its advantages and develop the literature that will sell what have been researched upon as that is the only weapon that can make such research attractive to a prospective investor or the private sector.

He canvassed that government should create the enabling environment that would stimulate investment in research by the private sector.

*With additional reports from NAN

AN/GEE

NaijaAgroNet
... Linking agrobiz, people & technology
pix:National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Senator Abdullahi Adamu

IITA initiatives contribute to Nigeria food security

NaijaAgroNet:

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has declared that it contributed massively to the country’s efforts towards food security, employment generation, diversification of the country’s economy with value chain agriculture, and better nutrition.

IITA Communication Officer for West and Central Africa, Mr Godwin Atser made this assertion while speaking to newsmen and pointed out that IITA Director-General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, has the zeal to empower the youth, hence he started a pilot project last year on how the institute can use agriculture as a tool to engage the youth corps members, empower them through training by inspiration by going into the field, writing proposal and making money from agriculture.

NaijaAgroNet gathered from Atser that about 25 graduates have keyed into the youth project and had cultivated 50 hectares of cassava using the project to meet the stem demands of farmers.  

“IITA has been very successful. If not for IITA, there would not have been cassava in Nigeria.  In the 1970s, there was a disease that was wiping out cassava in Africa.  IITA and its partners released wasps which killed the cassava bug that was killing cassava.

Atser informed NaijaAgroNet that when the presidential cassava initiative was initiated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, IITA propelled the efforts and production rose by 10 million metric tonnes and Nigeria became the largest world producer of cassava.

He disclosed that IITA’s door is open for youths who are interested in agriculture  to write to the institute on-line or on the website and advocated for the training of youth in the yam value chain, while government and other stakeholders  create more awareness about cassava flour and bread.

     

AN/GEE                                            

*^{With Additional report from Tribune}

 NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, people & technology

Kogi tasks council chairmen on agriculture

NaijaAgroNet:

 The Special Adviser to the Kogi State Government on Youth and Women Affairs, Mrs. Temitope Sinkaye has called on the 21 local government chairmen across the State to key into its agricultural transformation agenda, NaijaAgroNet reports.

Sinkaye made the call during the commissioning of the Youth Advancement and Development for Kogi (YAD4KOGI) cassava processing Centre, in Ihima, Okehi Local Government, stressing that their coming on board the agric programme will assist in reducing unemployment in the State.

She explained that the state government intended to use the agro- allied enterprise, an arms of the YAD4KOGI to create employment opportunities for the unemployed youths, reduce rural-urban migration, stem social vices and create wealth to enhance socio- economic development in the State.

The Special Adviser appealed to the chairmen to make available 250 hectares of land for cassava production in their respective areas,  and stressed  that government has provided a ready- made market for all the products and by-products of cassava in order to avoid the challenges of post - harvest losses.

The Group Coordinator of the Evabe Cooperative Society, Mr Moses Adedaji confirmed to NaijaAgroNet that the programme has helped to take the youths off the street, and solicited for the State government assistance in providing a vehicle for the group to aid in the transportation of the cassava from farms to the production site.

AN/GEE

 NaijaAgroNet:
 ... Linking agrobiz, people & technology
pix: Gov idris Wada of Kogi State

Fafiyebi tasks govt to provide agric incentives, engage youths

NaijaAgroNet

Dr Alabi Fafiyebi, a consultant on agriculture has tasked government to give more attention to the agric sector if the country has to develop as greater percentage of Nigerians earns their living directly or indirectly from agriculture and related services.

Fafiyebi stated this in a chat with NaijaAgroNet at Ilupeju, Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti that the agric sector apart from providing food for the citizenry and raw materials for agro-allied industries, it plays a vital role in the nation’s economy.

“ It should be accorded the deserved attention through allocation of more funds for execution of projects that will have direct impact on farmers, especially those engaged in mechanised farming,’’ Fafiyebi said.

He lauded the reform agenda of the Federal Government in revitalising the sector that has seen the rebirth of cocoa and palm trees through distribution of seedlings to farmers and called for more incentives for the farmers, especially the youth.

Fafiyebi canvassed that when the youths, especially graduates are engaged in food production it would go a long way to reduce unemployment in the country.

AN/GEE

NaijaAgroNet
... Linking agrobiz, people & technology
pix:Minister of Agric& Rural Dev. Dr Akinwunmi Adesina

Oil Spill: Fishermen demand N250b compensation

        

           

NaijaAgroNet:

The Fishermen under the auspices of Famous Fishing Organisation (FFO) in Unyenge community, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have demanded for N250billion compensation from an oil company, Universal Energy Resources Ltd, (UERL).

The chairman of the organisation, Mr. Johnson Harry gave the hint while briefing newsmen on the impact of the August 15 oil spill on its members from the company’s oil field in Stubb Creek.

Harry informed NaijaAgroNet that the spill emptied about 2,000 barrels of crude into the Ede Akpa River in the area thereby destroying the aquatic life, raffia palms, fishing nets and stopping their only means of livelihood which is fishing.

“The oil flowed to Ede Akpa River where we do our fishing activities and destroyed our fishing equipment and as a result, we can no longer fish in the river again.  The oil spill also destroyed farmlands in the area, affecting the livelihood of 5,000 farmers in Unyenge community. We cannot farm, and according to international standard, if there is an oil spill, you have to wait for 10 years before you can start farming again,’’ Harry said.

He lamented that the devastation had caused untold hardship to the people of the area, resulting to acute hunger and death of some of their members and urged UERL to clean up the affected lands and waters in the area according to international standard.

The company the Public Affairs Officer of the company, Mr. Aniefiok Iwaudofia, confirmed the incident, while explaining that the cause of the spill was equipment failure from a ruptured flange on the tank outlet and assured the host community that the management would continue to engage in practice and processes designed to effectively manage the hazards of its operations.

“The quantity of crude spilled into the river was only about three barrels. It is important to note that the spill was immediately and effectively contained within the Stubb Creek well pad. The little that poured on the UERL acquired Right of Way (ROW) was scooped and the top soil excavated and back-filled with fresh sand,’’ Iwaudofia said.

AN/GEE

NaijaAgroNet:
... Linking agrobiz, people & technology

Ekiti attracts N47.5 bn in agric investment

  

NaijaAgroNet:

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has disclosed that his administration had attracted agricultural investment to the tune of about N47. 5 billion in the agriculture sector in the last three years.

Gov. Fayemi made this disclosure at the just concluded 2013 World Food Day held in Ado Ekiti, attributing the investment to  reputable indigenous and international agricultural institutions, including Agricultural Company (AGCO), in addition to  securing  a credit facility of N80 million and tractors worth N100 million.

According to him, these companies have also partnered with Ekiti State government for the establishment of 2000 hectares of mechanized rice, soybean, and cassava farms while new vision technology is establishing a $165 about N26, 152,500,000.00 agric city.

NaijaAgroNet confirmed from him that the state is working with Dutch Agricultural Development and Trading Company (DATCO) on the establishment of high quality cassava flour processing factory, Vegefresh has taken over the moribund Orin cassava processing plant upgrading the capacity of the plant from 10 tons to 60 tons per day production while others including Datlex, RENL, GIL, Arewa Cotton, and Spectra among others have keyed into the vision to make the state the food of south west Nigeria.

 He explained that due to the zero-tolerance status of his administration, cheques and tractors are only being distributed to beneficiaries whose operations will impact the agric sector.

He lauded the support of multilateral institutions including the World Bank, African Development Bank, UNDP, DFID and FAO for the various drives in the sector, noting that all their efforts have enabled the Youth Commercial Agriculture Development (YCAD) programme comprising 250 youths to cultivate 1,900 hectares of cassava, 53,000 cocoa seedlings, 109,560 oil palm seedlings, 60,000 fingerlings, 6,230 kilogrammes of fish and 60,000 broilers.

AN/ GEE                                                                                           

NaijaAgroNet
... Linking agrobiz, people & technology
pix;Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi

Plateau trains farmers on vegetable production

NaijaAgroNet

The Agricultural Service Training Centre(ASTC)  in Plateau state has trained some farmers in the production of improved variety of vegetables preparatory to go into double season cropping to address increasing demand of vegetables in the state. 

The General Manager of ASTC Mr. Oren Shaked, who made this known, said that the ASTC, through its greenhouse project in the state has trained some farmers on the use of improved tomato and other vegetable varieties for production through the wet season using the greenhouse style.

 Shaked confirmed to NaijaAgroNet that one can grow anything in a greenhouse and at any time of the year, noting that if tomato is grown in the greenhouse during the rainy season it can sell at a very high price because it is scarce in the market. 

He said one can also reduce to a minimum the use of chemicals in the greenhouse because the plants are protected from insects thereby requiring very little insecticide or fungicide, adding that a lot of consumers today look for organic crops that are grown without the use of fertilizer and chemicals.

“The climate under the greenhouse is being controlled, crops grown in the house are better than those grown in the open field and during the harmattan or dry season, the nights are very cold but in the greenhouses it is hot, the temperature is being controlled so you can get better crops,” he said.

NaijaAgroNet gathered that even though greenhouses provide better and improved ways of crop production especially to local irrigation farmers whose vegetables are exposed to harsh climatic conditions as well as pests and diseases, some of the farmers nevertheless see this advanced system of farming as mere fancy which is incapable of upstaging the conventional farming system. 

“We also harvest all those strawberries, cherry tomatoes that the White people harvest in their greenhouse but we don’t cover the place because you will be putting a farmer in difficulty if you ask him to go into that system because he won’t be able to afford it,” a farmer said.

*With additional report from Daily Trust          

AN/GEE

 NaijaAgroNet

... Linking agrobiz, people & technology
pix: Gov David Jang of Plateau state