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Thursday, August 30, 2018
Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference goes to Singapore - NaijaAgroNet
NaijaAgroNet:
... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology
Food prices post sharp decline in July - NaijaAgroNet
NaijaAgroNet:
Global agricultural food commodity prices fell sharply in July, as all the major traded items posted notable declines, led by dairy and sugar, reports NaijaAgroNet.
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 168.8 points, 3.7 percent below their June level, the biggest monthly drop since late last year. The index had been steadily rising in 2018 until June.
The FAO Food Price Index is a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of commodities.
The FAO Dairy Price Index led the slide, declining 6.6 percent, with butter and cheese quotations dropping faster than those for whole and skim milk powders.
The FAO Sugar Price Index fell 6 percent to a nearly three-year low, largely driven by improved production prospects in India and Thailand, both important sugar-producing countries. Expectations of lower output in Brazil, the world's largest producer and exporter, limited the fall in international sugar prices.
The FAO Cereal Price Index declined 3.6 percent from June and is now below its year-ago level. Export quotations for wheat, maize and rice all declined, although wheat and maize values edged higher towards the end of July.
The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index was 2.9 percent lower, its sixth consecutive monthly decline, and is now at its lowest level since January 2016. Part of the July slide was driven by spill-over weakness from the soybean market, which is affected by the trade dispute between China and the United States of America. Rapeseed oil values trended upwards, however, buoyed by improved demand from biodiesel producers and negative crop prospects in the European Union.
The FAO Meat Price Index declined 1.9 percent from its June value, which was revised up in the wake of higher beef export prices from Brazil due to a truck drivers' strike.
Isaac Oyimah/GEE
IFAD supports G20 initiatives to promote nutritious foods - NaijaAgroNet
The Group of Twenty (G20) Ministers of Agriculture Meeting was
recently supported by the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD), to increase the sustainable production of nutritious foods,
reports NaijaAgroNet.
President, IFAD, Gilbert
F. Houngbo, said that sustainably feeding a growing population will take
collective action and IFAD stands ready to partner with the G20 to achieve this.
Also, Houngbo said “With small family farms supplying up to
80 per cent of the food produced in developing countries, it has never been
more critical to invest in these farmers, providing the tools for them to
better manage their land and ensure the health and productivity of their soil
in the face of a changing climate.”
While the main theme of the meeting is sustainable soil
management, the group will also discuss a proposal by Argentina to boost rural
youth employment through access to technology and engagement with the private
sector through global events.
A study by IFAD and the World Bank for the G20 Agriculture
Ministers’ Meeting last year describes how, with youth abandoning rural areas
because of lack of decent employment opportunities, the future of agriculture
is at stake.
"At IFAD we believe young people today – the largest
population the world as ever seen – are central to our work in transforming
rural communities and eradicating poverty and hunger,” said Houngbo. “If we are
to foster a generation of ‘agripreneurs’ we must answer their call for better
access to the resources they need to grow our rural areas into vibrant places
that can feed generations to come.”
Since he took office last year, IFAD has prioritized
youth-centric development across all of its programmes and projects to provide
training and support to create rural employment and enterprise options that are
appropriate for young people, in both the farm and the non-farm sector.
Another important focus of the Agriculture Ministers’
Meeting is the G20's contribution to reduce the estimated one third of all food
that is lost or wasted.
"Food loss and waste constitute is a luxury humanity
cannot afford. I salute the G20's efforts to tackle this problem," Houngbo
said. "IFAD supports small-scale farmers to improve their ability to
process and store their crops thereby minimizing food loss. IFAD stands ready
to offer its expertise to help mitigate this phenomenon.”
Isaac Oyimah/GEE
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Nutrition: CS-SUNN worried over waste rate in Lagos, calls for more actions - NaijaAgroNet
The Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has expressed worry over the rate of malnutrition waste in Lagos State, just as the group called for more actions, reports NaijaAgroNet.
Speaking through its Executive Secretary, Mrs Beatrice Eluaka, Wednesday in Lagos during the unveiling of Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition System (PINNS) which includes research findings, progress and call to action, CS-SUNN expressed concern over the malnutrition waste rate of Lagos, which means affected children may die.
Moderate malnutrition (MM) according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) defined as a weight-for-age between -3 and -2 z-scores below the median of the WHO child growth standards. This can be due to a low weight-for-height (wasting) or a low height-for-age (stunting) or to a combination of both.
As said by Mrs. Eluaka, the 2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for Lagos had put the stunting rate at 11.4 per cent, waiting rate also at 11.4 per cent and underweight at 14.5 per cent.
She revealed that the 2014 National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHS) had put Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) rate in Nigeria at 25 per cent.
Also, she said, the 2017 MICS putted stunting rate at 43.6 per cent as against 32.9 per cent in 2015, wasting in 2017 at 10.8 per cent as against 7.2 per cent in 2015 and Underweight at 31.5 per cent in 2017 as against 19.4 per cent in 2015.
So, the rising trend calls for concern unless we take deliberate steps to checkmate the cause, such as EBF.
CS-SUNN, she said, equally commended Lagos State for leading on six months maternity leave for mothers and urged other states to take a queue from the centre of excellence.
“Despite these negative indices, we however must not fail to commend the Lagos State government for extending maternity leave for female civil servants to 6 months and introducing a 10-day paternity leave for fathers,” she noted.
Eluka pointed out that EBF ensures optimal physical growth and brain development of children, engenders them to thrive well and live up to their full potentials at adulthood.
“It also prevents malnutrition” the Executive Secretary said and called for more action to improve EBF.
“We are therefore calling on other state governments in Nigeria to emulate the Lagos State Government as this will contribute to encouraging the practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding especially among working mothers thereby boosting Nigeria’s EBF rate and contributing to a reduction in malnutrition in the country,” she said.
AfDB, FAO sign deal to end hunger, malnutrition - NaijaAgroNet
The African Development Bank (AfDB)
and Food and AgricultureOrganisation (FAO)
have signed deal aimed at catalysing agriculture sector investments
in Africa to end hunger and malnutrition and increase prosperity throughout the
continent, reports NaijaAgroNet.
The
agreement, NaijaAgroNet gathered comprised
that AfDB and FAO are committed to raise up to $100 million over five years, to
support joint partnership activities.
The new
alliance precisely seeks to enhance the quality and impact of investment in
food security, nutrition, social protection, agriculture, forestry, fisheries
and rural development.
AfDB President
Akinwumi Adesina and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva signed the
agreement, which builds on a longstanding collaboration between their
organizations, at the UN agency's Rome headquarters.
"FAO and
the AfDB are deepening and broadening our partnership to assist African
countries achieve the sustainable development goals. Leveraging investments in
agriculture, including from the private sector, is key to lift millions of
people from hunger and poverty in Africa and to ensure that enough food is
produced and that enough rural jobs are created for the continent's growing
population," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.
AfDB President
Akinwumi Adesina said: "The signing of this supplementary agreement is a
milestone moment in the relationship between the African Development Bank and
FAO. It signals our joint commitment to accelerate the delivery of high quality
programs and increased investment for public-private-partnerships in Africa's
agriculture sector. This will help us achieve the vision of making agriculture
a business, as enshrined in the Bank's Feed Africa strategy."
The Bank's
Feed Africa strategy, launched in 2015, targets to invest $24 billion into
African agriculture over a ten-year period. The aim is that of improving
agricultural policies, markets, infrastructure and institutions to ensure that
agricultural value chains are well developed and that improved technologies are
made available to reach several millions farmers.
Isaac Oyimah/ED,
Ops
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Companies deliberately procuring renewable electricity - NaijaAgroNet
Since the mid-2000s, companies have begun to deliberately
power their operations with renewable based electricity, reports NaijaAgroNet.
Increasingly, NaijaAgroNet
gathered that companies in different industries and sectors are committing to
ambitious renewable energy targets.
The latest edition of IRENA
Quarterly, a publication of the International Renewable Energy Agency
(IRENA) which is an intergovernmental organisation supporting countries in
their transition to a sustainable energy future.
Globally, NaijaAgroNet
also gathered that in 2017, companies sourced approximately 465 terrawatt-hours
(TWh) of renewables.
Production for self-consumption accounted for most of this (165
TWh), followed by unbundled energy attribute certificates (130 TWh), corporate
power purchase agreements, or PPAs (114 TWh), and finally “green procurement”
by utilities (34 TWh).
The trend is widespread and dynamic. By volume, renewable
electricity was mostly consumed in heavy industries like mining, pulp and
paper, chemicals and other materials production (over 160 TWh). This mainly
happens through companies generating their own hydropower, but increasingly
also through “self-generated” wind and solar power.
Yet the highest shares of renewable electricity consumption
are found in the financial (24%) and information technology (12 per cent)
sectors. Companies like Bank of America, Google, IKEA, Intel and Microsoft are
among the major consumers and self-generators of renewable electricity outside
the materials sector.
Companies in at least 75 countries are known to have
procured renewable electricity as a deliberate choice. While North America and
Europe account for most of those companies, the practice is spreading to other
regions.
India and South Africa are among the top ten markets
actively sourcing renewable electricity. Other developing markets, like China,
Mexico and Ghana, are also experiencing significant growth in active corporate
sourcing.
Most governments have not yet considered the potential of
corporate sourcing in their energy strategies. Yet they recognise renewables as
a way to attract new investment, meet energy needs, achieve compliance with national
and international climate targets, and boost job creation.
Out of 2 410 companies analysed by IRENA, over half source
renewable electricity, although only 17% indicated having a target in place.
More than 200 companies source over half of their energy demand through
renewables.
Isaac Oyimah/GEE
Monday, August 27, 2018
170 drivers benefit from Shell Nigeria Gas Medicare - NaijaAgroNet
No fewer than 170 public transport drivers benefited from general medical consultation and screening services organised by Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) as part of the activities marking the 20th anniversary of the gas distribution company, reports NaijaAgroNet.
The one-day programme held recently in Ota, headquarters of Ado Odo/Ota Local Government area of Ogun State, saw the drivers screened for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), blood sugar, cholesterol, malaria parasite, and HIV. There were also eye checks, prescription lenses, dental care, pharmaceutical services and distribution of insecticide-treated nets.
Speaking at the opening session, the Managing Director of SNG, Ed Ubong, represented by the company’s Operations Manager, Niyi Salami,described the health programme as part of the many community-focused initiatives of Shell Companies in Nigeria to support efforts by government at all levels to make life better for the people.
“The health and safety of the people are critical and we see our company as continuing to play a role in supporting the efforts of government to take promotive, preventive and curative healthcare to the people where they work and where they live,” Ubong said. “By ensuring quality state of health of public transport drivers including their sight, safety standard on our roads will be enhanced and this will help to reduce health-associated carnages on our roads.”
The programme was held in collaboration with Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government; Ogun State Ministry of Health; and the state’s Primary Health Care Board (PHCB).
The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, commended SNG for the health programme among its many other supports to the host community in Ogun State. He also praised another Shell company, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, for its robust medical outreach programme in Ogijo, also in Ogun State.
Shell’s Regional Community Health Manager, Dr. Akinwumi Fajola, who led the medical team advised the drivers not to ignore early signs of health challenge which he said could help in prompt and effective management of hidden medical conditions by medical officers.
In attendance at the programme were the representatives from the state’s Primary Health Care Board, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Ado Odo/Ota Local Government and Community Development Associations.
Admin/GEE
Pix: L – R: Operations Manager, Shell Nigeria Gas, Niyi Salami; Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye; and Shell’s Regional Community Health Manager, Dr. Akin Fajola, during the Community Care Programme at Ansar-Ud-Deen Practicing School, Ota, Ogun State recently.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Nigeria accedes to Int'l Cocoa deal - NaijaAgroNet
The Federal Government (FG) has finally assented to the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010, following the approval granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) reports NaijaAgroNet.
President Muhammadu Buhari, NaijaAgroNet reported on Monday, at the State House, Abuja, signed the Instrument of Accession to the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010, on behalf of the Federal Government.
President Muhammadu Buhari, NaijaAgroNet reported on Monday, at the State House, Abuja, signed the Instrument of Accession to the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010, on behalf of the Federal Government.
Confirming this, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, (Media & Publicity), Mr. Garba Shehu on Monday said that following the execution of the instrument of accession, Nigeria undertakes “faithfully to abide by all the stipulations therein contained” in the Agreement.
Among other benefits, he said, the agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation between exporting and importing member countries; improve their cocoa economies through active and better focused project development and strategies for capacity-building.
NaijaAgroNet recollects that the 2010 Agreement is also expected to build on the successes of the 2001 Agreement by “implementing measures leading to an increase in the income of cocoa farmers and by supporting cocoa producers in improving the functioning of their cocoa economies.”
For Shehu, it will also “deliver cocoa of better quality, take effective account of food-safety issues and help establish social, economic and environmental sustainability, so that farmers are rewarded for producing cocoa that meets ethical and environmental considerations.”
Isaac Oyimah/GEE
Boko Haram: UNICEF applauds release of 24 children from administrative custody - NaijaAgroNet
UNICEF has welcomed the release of 24 children aged 12 to 17 from Nigerian Army administrative custody after they were cleared of suspected ties with armed groups, especially the Boko Haram, reports NaijaAgroNet.
This brings the number of children released this year to 207.
“For these children, the long journey towards reuniting with their families, reintegrating with their communities and fulfilling their dreams starts today. We must support these children to fulfil their hopes and aspirations,” said UNICEF Nigeria acting Representative Pernille Ironside.
“UNICEF will continue to work with military and the authorities to support the reintegration of all children released, until there are no more children in administrative custody.”
As part of these efforts, UNICEF works with the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and partners to provide the children with medical attention and psychosocial support, before the process begins of reuniting them with their families and reintegrating them into society.
Since 2017, UNICEF has supported the social and economic reintegration of more than 8,700 children previously associated with non-state actors in north-east Nigeria, helping trace their families, returning them to their communities, and offering them psychosocial support, education, vocational training and informal apprenticeships, and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
However, the resources available to support children affected by the conflict in north-east Nigeria are limited, with just under half of the required resources available,limiting UNICEF’s ability to deliver an integrated package of protection, WASH, nutrition and health services for the survival and development of vulnerable children in conflict affected areas.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Clean-up in Aghoro, Odimodi gains momentum says Shell - NaijaAgroNet
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has recovered over 95 per cent of spilled oil from the recent spill incidents on sections of the Trans Ramos Pipeline (TRP) in Aghoro community, Bayelsa State, and in Odimodi community in Delta State, reports NaijaAgroNet.
The pipeline, which has remained shut-in since the incidents, supplies crude to the SPDC Joint Venture-owned Forcados Oil Terminal in western Niger Delta for export.
In a statement, a spokesperson for SPDC acknowledged the spills as very regrettable, adding that in line with the standard operating procedures of SPDC, the TRP was shut down immediately the incidents were reported and the Oil Spill Response and the Emergency Response teams were activated to manage the incidents and prevent further spillage.
“As soon as clean-up and site assessment are completed, we are committed to starting the immediate remediation of the impacted areas in Aghoro and Odimodi,” the spokesperson said.
According to the spokesperson, details of the cause and impact of the spills will be captured in the Joint Investigation Visits (JIV) reports, which will be released after sign-off by all parties.
“The JIV is a multi-party exercise involving the regulators, the community, representatives of the state government, security agencies, and representatives of SPDC. The outcome is then signed off by the stakeholders to authenticate the findings,” the spokesperson explained.
Isaac Oyimah/GEE
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