Ghana smallholder farmers to benefit from Grameen partnership

NaijaAgroNet

The smallholder farmers in the five regions of Ghana would benefit from the newly launched Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiative by the Grameen Foundation, in collaboration with Farm Radio International and Digital Green, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The project, NaijaAgroNet gathered was established to help disseminate information to farmers in the region and also to render the necessary support they may need to add volume to their productivity and improve nutritional value in their communities which is a way of reducing the causes of food insecurity.

Also, NaijaAgroNet reports that the project involve mobile apps, radio, video, text messaging and voice messages, that will serve as information circulating agent to the farmers, in addition to enabling them have access to every information they need.

Hillary Miller-Wise, who oversees the Grameen Foundation’s portfolio across sub-Saharan Africa, said, “We are focused on increasing food security for smallholder farmers in Ghana using a number of different channels to reach farmers with vital information that they need in order to drive productivity and ultimately increase income.”

ChidozieAnibueze /GEE/ED, Ops

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FAO set to change form of agriculture

NaijaAgroNet

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has taken up the challenge to change the mode of agriculture in the 21^st century, NaijaAgroNet can now report.

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said at the International Forum on Agriculture and Climate Change programme organized by the French Government at the French Capital, said that the form in which Agricultural activities are being carried out in the 21^st Century is not suitable in the fight against food security challenges.

NaijaAgroNet reports the DG also noted even though the amount of unremittingly hungry individuals has been reduced by 100 million in the past decade, 805 million are still living with hunger challenges on usual bases notwithstanding the fact that world still produces enough food to feed the everybody.

"Since food production is not a sufficient condition for food security, it means that the way we are producing is no longer acceptable, what we are still mostly seeing is a model of production that cannot prevent the degradation of soils and the loss of biodiversity - both of which are essential goods, especially for future generations. This model must be reviewed. We need a paradigm shift. Food systems need to be more sustainable, inclusive and resilient,"da Silva said.

"Climate-smart agriculture" is the new approach to agriculture said José Graziano da Silva who also noted that agriculture has a vital role to play not just in food productivity but also in Climate change.

ChidozieAnibueze /GEE/ED, Ops

 

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16,600 children lost parents to Ebola in West Africa - UNICEF

+Naija AgroNet:

The United Nations United Nations Children's Fund has revealed that no fewer than 16,600 children have been registered as having lost one or both parents or primary healthcare-givers to Ebola in three countries within the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), reports NaijaAgroNet.

The affected countries, UNICEF confirmed to NaijaAgroNet include Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

According to the UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mr Manuel Fontaine in New York penultimate Friday, said less than three per cent of this population has had to be placed outside family or community care.

“Since overcoming their initial fears and misconceptions about Ebola virus, families have been showing incredible support, providing care and protection for children whose parents have died. This shows the strength of kinship ties and the extraordinary resilience of communities at a time of great hardship,’’ he said.

UNICEF said as of mid-January, nearly 3,600 children had lost both parents to Ebola virus in the three countries, while 16,600 were registered as having lost one or both parents.

NaijaAgroNet also gathered from the regional director that the disease affected primary healthcare-givers.

He pointed out that UNICEF was helping to identify children without parents or caregivers with the view to providing immediate care and protection to them.

In Guinea, he said for example that UNICEF gathered that all 773 children who lost both parents have been placed with their extended families.

@IsaacOyimah with additional report byNews Agency of Nigeria   +Naija AgroNet @unicef

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Expert cautions on prevention of lead poisoning

NaijaAgroNet:

Nigerian environmentalist, Aisha Okunade, has called for more supervision by regulatory agencies in the production process of consumable products in the country to prevent lead poisoning.

Okunade, who is the Head of Department of Environmental Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic, said in Kaduna recently that it was essential for government to adopt “precautionary preventive policies to ensure lead-safe environment''.

The environmentalist also called for sustained enlightenment campaign to educate Nigerians on necessary measures to avoid lead poisoning.

She said the dangers of lead poisoning have not received the desired attention as a public health issue in the country.

“I believe that no exposure level is safe. Adults exposed to lead are at greater risk of high blood pressure, kidney problems and nerve damage.

“In pregnant women, lead poisoning increases the risk of miscarriage while men may suffer infertility,” she said.

Okunade said people should always eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly and avoid cigarette smoke, to prevent lead poisoning.

She said people must be careful in how they dispose of naturally occurring metals in products, such as batteries, toys, jewelry, imported makeup and paints.

“Refuse needs to be disposed properly to avoid it getting into the ground to contaminate water,'' she added.

The expert advised regulatory agencies to ensure that consumables are tested every day to ensure their safety as healthy products.
NAN
 

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Aisha Buhari in muddy waters over N135m donation to displaced persons

NaijaAgroNet:

The wife of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajiya Aisha Buhari may have entered the muddy waters with the recent donation of materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in parts of Adamawa State last Wednesday, worth N135 million, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This is coming as condemnation trailed the donation with Nigerians calling on Mrs. Buhari to openly explain the source of the fund, which negates the claims by her husband who purportedly borrowed N20m to obtain the APC presidential form among other claims of so-called humble background.

Ike Obodo, a public commentator, told NaijaAgroNet that more facts are expected in the coming days on how Buhari’s wife turned a millionaire in matter of weeks.

Also, Obodo commended the National Independence Electoral Commission (INEC), saying that more truth must surely emerge, which will be good for the Nigerian voting public, mostly for them to take a decision for the forthcoming elections and presidential election particularly.

According to reports by News Express, Nigerians view the donation of such a huge material as contradicting claims by Buhari and his allies of his financial standing in the scheme of things moreso as former Nigerian military head of state.

For a Lagos-based politician, Omobolanle Olusola, wondered where on earth Hajiya Buhari suddenly became a millionaire for her to have donated such amount of materials to displaced places.

 
@Isaac Oyimah, +Naija AgroNet @Hajia Aisha Buhari @APC @ReubanAbati @GMB

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Pix: Mrs. Buhari

AWARD Fellows 2015: 3 Nigerians among top 10 top African women agricultural scientists

NaijaAgroNet:

 

Three Nigerian agro-scientists have been selected among top 10 fellows listed in the 70-people honoured at the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) 2015, reports NaijaAgroNet.

A press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet by the Communications Assistant at AWARD, Judith Olang, hinted that Messrs Ngozi Edoh, Catherine Nwokwu and Juliana Amaka Ugwu.

NaijaAgroNet reports that the trio were among participants who had earlier relationship with AWARD as mentees, but now has grown to make the fellowship programme.

For Ngozi Edoh, a Research Scientist at the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike in Abia State is currently focused on biosafety research and genetic improvement of root and tuber crops.

Catherine Nwokwu, NaijaAgroNet gathered is currently a post-graduate student at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. 

Her vision for agricultural research and development is to develop at least five high yielding and drought tolerant rice varieties.

Equally, Juliana Amaka Ugwu, an entomologist, is also a former AWARD junior mentee, who is on a mission to develop ecological and environmentally friendly approaches to sustainable production of fruits and vegetables in Nigeria. Ugwu is currently a lecturer at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.

Also on the list of top 10 is Zambian Belinda Kaninga, who is a soil scientist  on the other hand is developing appropriate soil fertility technologies in order to improve agricultural production and income for smallscale farmers.

Kaninga is an Agricultural Research Officer at the Zambia Agriculture Research institute.A lecturer and researcher at the Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo, Mozambique, Olivia Narciso Pedro was quoted in a press statement from Africa Press Organisation as saying, “Agricultural research and development in Mozambique is an important tool for increasing production, and consequently reducing household malnutrition and poverty, particularly in children and women.

According to her, “My vision for agriculture-led growth in Mozambique is to design alternatives to mitigate loss of genetic diversity, and ensure conservation of species, while improving household food security.”

This year’s laureates were selected from among an impressive cadre of 1,109 applicants from 11 African countries. These scientists and researchers will benefit from AWARD’s two-year career-development program that is focused on accelerating agricultural gains by strengthening their research and leadership skills.

AWARD Fellowships are granted on the basis of each scientist’s intellectual merit, leadership capacity, and the potential of her work to improve the livelihoods of African smallholder farmers, most of whom are women.

AWARD Fellows share a common vision: they want to translate their research and knowledge into tangible action, tangible action that will benefit smallholder farmers—especially laudable in 2015, the African Union’s Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.

AWARD Director, Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg noted that they have a long journey ahead with women still under-represented in agricultural research and higher education in Africa.

“AWARD is at the forefront, working to increase the numbers of professional women at the decision making table in Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) across Africa.  We are committed to Africa's prosperity with this year's cohort of AWARD fellows joining our vibrant Pan- African community that is building the capacity of Africa’s women researchers to contribute to the continent’s food security,” Kamau-Rutenberg said.

Emphasising that they congratulate the 2015 winners of the AWARD Fellowship, noting that this special year, there were empowerment of women in all areas of development and these are being highlighted by the African Union.

“We are proud of the impact these women are making in their different areas, and the contribution that the fellowship will make in fast-tracking their innovation,” Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg said.

According to an AWARD benchmarking study, the majority of those who produce, process, and market Africa’s food are women, but only one in four agricultural researchers is female. Even fewer—one in seven—hold leadership positions in African agricultural research institutions.

In order for African agriculture to become an engine for prosperity and well-being, it is critical to cultivate a new generation of African leaders in food and agriculture, including technically competent, confident, and influential women.

This year’s AWARD laureates represent a wide range of agricultural disciplines and cutting-edge research—from evaluating aquatic pollution, climate smart agricultural practices, aflatoxin mitigation, capacity building and empowerment of rural women, to biotechnology.

 
+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @AWARD2015, @Nigeria @FMARD
 
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