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Tag: Farmers

  • FCT selects 60 farmers to benefit from fishery inputs

    FCT selects 60 farmers to benefit from fishery inputs

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    As a way to boost fish production in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sixty farmers have been selected to benefit from the assorted fishery inputs to boost fish farming in the territory.

    The FCT mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim today in Abuja disclosed this at the flag-off of the sensitization workshop on the diversification of the FCT aquaculture.

    Ibrahim said that the support would help beneficiaries through the production to start fish production in their various communities.

    Ibrahim disclosed this during the flag off of the sensitisation workshop on the diversification of the FCT aquaculture and the promotion and empowerment of the beneficiaries.

    He said the secretariat through the
    Department of Fisheries will deploy its technical expertise to follow-up the progress of the participants so that the objective of the initiative is achieved.
    According to the mandate Secretary, available records have shown that Catfish production accounts for about 80% of all farmed fish in Nigeria, making it the largest producer of Cat fish in sub-Saharan Africa.

    “It is however expedient to note that with the rapid growth and development of the fisheries and aquaculture industry, the consumption of edible fish has witnessed sharp rise which can largely be attributed to urbanization, change in lifestyle of families, and most importantly, the medical benefits associated with its consumption.”

    He said that the Secretariat through the Department of Fisheries is flagging off the sensitisation workshop aimed at not only exposing Fisher folks to other fish varieties such as (Tilapia niloticus and Hoterotis Niloticus) but to also train them on effective production techniques for house-hold consumption and commercial purposes.

    FCT Director Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mrs Ifeoma Okeke said the fisheries sub-sector contribute to both the FCT and National economy via employment and income generation, poverty alleviation, foreign exchange earnings and provision of raw materials for the animal feed industry.

    She revealed that over 10 million Nigerians are actively engaged in primary and secondary fisheries operations.
    The sixty beneficiaries were drawn from all the Six Area Councils in the FCT were given starter pack.

  • Oyo Govt. Promises Integration of Local Farmers Into Development Plan

    Oyo Govt. Promises Integration of Local Farmers Into Development Plan

    Oyo State Government has reassured smallholder farmers of improved support and integration into the development plan of the state, in accordance with the four points agenda of Governor Seyi Makinde led administration.

    This, the Government said, would spur productivity and enhance the quality of food consumed by the people in the state.

    The Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi gave this assurance while declaring open a 4-day training for Agric Extension Workers, organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, at OYSADEP Office, Apata, Ibadan.
    Adebisi noted that the training is one of the ways of stemming the tide of the declining number and low skill of small scale farmers which has hampered the adoption of best practices and new innovations, resulting in low productivity and rejection of Nigerian products abroad.
    He promised the infusion of modern farming technology, financial assistance along with training and retraining of Oyo state farmers to engender quality assurance in the agricultural value chains.

    Speaking further, he commended Federal Government for relentlessly improving and building capacity of farmers across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, and donating 3 motorcycles to Oyo State for Agricultural Extension delivery, adding that the development will help our smallholders overcome the teething challenges associated with farming, thereby alleviating poverty and unemployment, while also boosting food sufficiency.

    In his remarks, the Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Abubakar, represented by the Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaja Balikis Abdulateef hinted that one of the key recommendations was to build the capacity of youths and existing practitioners in Agric Extension delivery system, exposing and equipping them with best global practices and tool to enable them deliver efficiently.

    According to the Minister, Nigerians desire to see that our agricultural extension delivery system meets global competitiveness, to ensure we have adequate and quality food for our teeming population and some to augment our foreign earnings.


    The ceremony also had in attendance other management staff of the Ministry, Farmers, participants from the 33 local governments of Oyo State, seasoned resource persons, among others.

  • Managing Farmers Association: An Example From Arch. Kabir Ibrahim

    Managing Farmers Association: An Example From Arch. Kabir Ibrahim

    By Jabiru Hassan.

    It is known that managing Farmers associations is not an easy task due to the facts that those who manage such associations always works with both educative and semi educatives whose interests remained just to always become inclusive in the management activities.

    Similarly, farmers were categorised in so many factions especially in our developing countries where the leaders entrusted some people that were selected to implement the government Policies in agro-related sector like what we are having in Nigeria.

    With such challenges, the Nigerian farmers were facing so many obstacles in getting all what is expected towards the progress of their production at both dry and rainfed seasons which has for the decades retarded almost everything related to agricultural development in so many ways which is another lesson.

    But the present sets of the Nigerian farmers are now being regarded as those who are in a position to achieve their objectives especially when the national president of All farmers Association, (AFAN), Architect Kabir Ibrahim remained very committed and straight forward to ensure that all categories of farmers would benefit from the government provisions on Agriculture respectively.

    Furthermore, the national president being in the field of agriculture for quite. A long time, and as a duly elected national leader of All farmers association popularly called AFAN would now work with the new down in the Agric ministry to ensure that all what is expected towards the progress of agriculture is being brought to systems and at every location in accordance with their crops value chains.

    In this regard, the Nigerian farmers are now describing architect Kabir Ibrahim who is also an authentic AFAN national president as a leader who technically knows how to handle, manage and provides excellent services towards the progress of agriculture in Nigeria with optimum result.

    Most of such farmers who interacted with agric correspondents commended the AFAN National president for his commitment and determination to promotes national economy through agriculture, a programme which would continue to be highlighted in a series of publications.

  • Nigerian Farmers Can Produce Enough Foods If Fully Supported- Usman Dan Gwari

    Nigerian Farmers Can Produce Enough Foods If Fully Supported- Usman Dan Gwari

    By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

    Nigerian farmers can produce enough food for domestic consumption and feed other countries if given more support from the federal government especially when the present administration’s policies on agriculture remained active.

    Alhaji Usman Dan Gwari,a Kano based large scale farmer made this known in an interview with our correspondent during a visit to his kwanar Dangora rice farm, adding that Nigeria is blessed with conducive and fertile lands that suits all categories of crops depending on the topography of every section.

    He noted that ” the present administration is always working selflessly towards the progress of agriculture but our only problem is lack of implementation of policies that are meant for the Nigerian farmers which is a great slap to the agriculture” He lamented.

    Alhaji Usman Dan Gwari called on the new minister of agriculture and rural development to bring out more techniques that would enable the farmers to multiply their production like what is contained in the ministry’s master plans for food production so as to promotes national economy through agriculture.

    In conclusion, Dan Gwari commended the All farmers association AFAN under the leadership of Architect Kabir Ibrahim for steering the affairs of the association selflessly and in accordance with the regulations and laws that government the establishment of the organisation since his election as national president.

  • BREAKING: Tension in Modakeke, Ife as Gunmen brutally murdered Five Farmers

    BREAKING: Tension in Modakeke, Ife as Gunmen brutally murdered Five Farmers

    There is tension in Ile-Ife and Modakeke in Osun State as at least five persons were found brutally murder while going to their farms.

    Reports confirmed that the bodies were found in Modakeke in the early morning of Friday at Toro road.

    The Osun State Police spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident, adding that a team of police operatives has been drafted to the towns.

    It was also learnt that the Obafemi Awolowo University had shut its main gate as at the time of filing this report.

    Details later…

  • Three Farmers Killed by Suspected Armed Bandits in Benue State

    Three Farmers Killed by Suspected Armed Bandits in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Three persons have been reportedly killed by suspected armed bandits at Udei, Nyiev Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

    Informed sources told Day Break that the bandits shot the victims while they were working on their rice farm, killing no fewer than three persons.

    Those killed were Identified as Mr Tyogbea Uparegh, Raphael and Jerald Mnyam, brother to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Secondary and Tertiary Institutions, Mr Mathew Mnyam.

    Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser who condemned the killings, enjoined security operatives to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous act as well as intensify efforts towards preventing its reoccurrence.

    Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Sewuese Anene for comments as at the time of filing this report failed.

  • Nigerian Farmers Suffering From Band Hands – Peasant Farmers

    Nigerian Farmers Suffering From Band Hands – Peasant Farmers

    By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

    Farmers in Nigeria are still suffering from bad hands due to the lack of excellent treatment, where they appealed to president Muhammadu Buhari to investigate and find out what is really happening in the hands of those he assigned to implement his administration policies on Agriculture.

    In a series on interviews with our correspondent in Kano, the small scale farmers disclosed that Buhari has a good provisions to Nigerian farmers, but all the lapses remained in the hands of those who were given the mandate towards the implementation his policies in Agriculture especially the minister and his lieutenants.

    Alhaji Dabo Zaura, from Dawakin Tofa local government area, who is also the chairman of Zaura Tomato growers association said that ” the Honourable Minister of Agriculture Sabo Nanono has failed Nigerian farmers that is why we are backwards despites that Mr. President has provided everything required to boosting production in every crop value chain”. He emphasized.

    Similarly, Malam Muhammad Adamu from Rano area said that the federal ministry of Agriculture under Sabo Nanono would continue to disgrace president Buhari because the real farmers were sidelined just in order to retards their production, where he called on the president to change the Minister and replace him with competent person so as to restore everything.

    In conclusion, the farmers stated that the minister is responsible for the splits of the All farmers association (AFAN), where he recognised somebody who is not even the member of the association due to his personal interest, adding that ” Nigerian farmers only recognised Architects Kabir Ibrahim as the Authentic AFAN national president in accordance to the association’s constitution”.

  • In Nasarawa: Suspected Herdsmen attack Doma villages, kill nine farmers

    In Nasarawa: Suspected Herdsmen attack Doma villages, kill nine farmers

    By Abel Leonard/ Lafia

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen, Saturday morning killed nine farmers during an attack on three villages in Doma local government area of Nasarawa State.

    The attacked villages were Ajikamaka, Gidan Rail and Ankoma settlements near Rukubi where Olam farm is located, a border town between Nasarawa and Benue State belonging to the Tiv farmers.

    The settlements belong to late Hon Micheal Koko, a Tiv man, who represented Doma South in Nasarawa Assembly between 1999 and 2007.

    Majority of the victims were said to be deeply asleep when the marauding herdsmen surrounded the villages, set houses on fire and opened fire on fleeing villagers.

    The Nation gathered most of the victims were children, women and young boys scampering to safety.

    The deceased were identified as Tsekaa Chiatyo, Kwaghdoo Tsekaa, Sewuese Tsekaa, Bobo Chiatyo, Aondosee Fidelis, Aboy, Igba Aduku, Iwuesi and Aseer.

    The invasion of the community occurred around 2:00am with the gunmen said to be chanting war songs.

    Deputy Chairman of Doma local government, Hon Atukpa Osukunu, who confirmed the incident, said it was a reprisal saying herdsmen, who also settled within the area, found one of them dead in the bush and suspected the Tiv community for the death.

    Nasarawa Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ramham Nansel, said the attack was yet to be reported to the Police Command.

    President, Tiv Development Association (TIDA) in Nasarawa state, Comrade Peter Ahemba, also confirmed the incident to reporters.

    He lamented recurring attacks on Tiv people, particularly those living at the border areas between Benue and Nasarawa states despite efforts by Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule and his Benue counterpart, Dr. Samuel Ortom to ensure lasting peace.

    The Tiv leader lamented that the ugly development has led to the displacement of thousands of Tiv farmers in the area, regretting the incident occurred when the current farming season was about to commence.

  • Farmers/Herders crisis: Ogun Inaugurates Committee on peaceful resolution

    Farmers/Herders crisis: Ogun Inaugurates Committee on peaceful resolution

    Governor Dapo Abiodun has inaugurated a 20-man Peace Keeping Committee on Farmers-Herders Conflict in Ogun State with a charge on members to look into the remote and immediate causes of the clashes and find lasting solutions to it.

    Abiodun said there is a nexus between peace and development, explaining that no meaningful development could be achieved if clashes like that of the farmers and herders were allowed to continue.

    The Committee is chaired by a former House of Representatives member, Hon. Kayode Oladele.

    The governor said the state government was hopeful that the Committee would unravel activities that always lead to the farmers/herders crisis in the State, particularly at Yewa axis.

    He spoke while inaugurating the Committee at the Oba Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Saturday, stressing that the State seeks to become number one in Internal Generated Revenue in the country and require peace to achieve that.

    He also ordered the Ministry of Housing and that of Special Duties to rehabilitate all displaced persons within 24 hours and work out compensation for all victims of the skirmishes.

    “Government believes with the Committee, what really happened to disrupt the peace of the areas will be made known because knowing what happened will prevent occurrences and how to solve it.

    “You will ensure that the clashes do not happen again. But if it happens, you will know the steps to be taken. You will also look at any other matter that threatens peace in the State,” the Governor said.

    The Committee, according to the Governor has four weeks to carry out and submit its assignment, adding that it would be a standing one saddle with the responsibility of engendering peaceful co-existence in the State.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari was impressed with the methods adopted by the State government in addressing the crisis, stating that this has made the president direct other states in the country to adopt the same template in resolving the farmers-herders crisis.

    He said palliatives would given to all farmers and herders affected in the clashes, directing the Committee to liaise with the Ministry of Special Duties for seamless distribution, just as he directed the Ministry of Housing to provide accommodation to those whose houses were destroyed.

    Speaking on behalf of other members of the Committee, a member of Ogun State House of Assembly from Imeko Constituency, Hon. Jemili Akingbade, lauded the governor for his timely intervention in settling the dispute. He assured that the committee will live up to its expectations by diligently carrying out its terms of reference.

    Other members of the Committee are; Hon. Abiodun Egungbohun, Commissioner of Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Jamiu Omoniyi, Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-Ethnic Affairs, Sani Hadi, Chairman, Imeko -Afon, Hon. Babatunde Davis, State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Chief Segun Dasaolu and Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite.

    Also included are the Eselu of Iselu, Oba Ebenezer Akinyemi, Baale of Igbooro, Chief Bidemi Akorede, a Community leader, Chief Egungbohun Deinde, Southwest Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Kabir Muhammed and Alhaji Bashir Eggua.

  • Three farmers reportedly killed in Ondo forest by herdsmen

    Three farmers reportedly killed in Ondo forest by herdsmen

    Three farmers have reportedly been killed in Ondo State by those suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen.

    The farmers were said to have been killed by the herders in a forest within the Ijugbere axis of Owo Local Government Area on Saturday evening.

    The incident was confirmed by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Agriculture, Akin Olotu via a text message.

    While describing the killing as unfortunate, Olotu said “Those blaming Governor Akeredolu for saying the illegal occupants should vacate the forest should bury their heads in shame”

    Meanwhile, Spokesperson of the State Police Command, ASP Tee- Leo Ikoro has not confirmed the killing.

    Details later.