Agriculture
IFAD distributes inputs to wet-season rice, cassava farmers in Taraba
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has commenced the distribution of agricultural inputs to 120 wet-season rice and cassava farmers in Taraba State.
The State Governor, Darius Ishaku, while flagging off the event on Friday in Jalingo, lauded VCDP for its various result-oriented interventions in rice and cassava production, processing and marketing in the state.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Taraba Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Yusufu Gadi, Ishaku urged the beneficiaries to put the inputs to maximum use to turn around their fortunes and enhance food security.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Irimiya Musa, Taraba Programme Coordinator, explained that the distribution was to support cassava and rice farmers in the three new VCDP in Bali, Donga and Jalingo local government areas.
“No fewer than 120 farmers were identified and validated by the national office in Abuja to benefit from the little outstanding balance of inputs earmarked for Taraba farmers in 2022,” he said.
He appealed to the national office to increase the number of inputs for the state in subsequent allocations given the state’s vast agricultural potential for rice and cassava production.
According to him, the programme, being funded by a tripartite arrangement of the federal government, IFAD and the participating states, is principally aimed at developing the value chain of rice and cassava for food security.
Musa noted that VCDP was working in Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu State, Kogi, Nassarawa State, Niger, Ogun and Taraba.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Taraba Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Yusufu Gadi, urged the benefitting farmers to use the inputs for the purpose intended.
He warned that government would not take it lightly with any farmer caught diverting or reselling the inputs.
The Borno Government has announced the creation of Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development to align its
Development strategy with Federal Government initiatives, and boost the state’s economic potential.
Gov. Babagana Zulum made the announcement on Tuesday during the swearing in of two commissioners at the council chambers of the Government House.
Zulum underscored the importance of livestock and fisheries as vital sectors with untapped revenue potential.
He emphasised that the new ministry would focus on high-yield livestock breeds, milk production and fisheries, targeting both domestic consumption and export opportunities.
The governor said that “no state government can make substantial money in livestock alone, but we believe with the right investment and political will, the sector can generate significant revenue.”
He said that the growing demand for milk by yogurt companies and the proximity of Maiduguri to Asian and Arab markets, are great opportunities for dairy exportation.
The governor, therefore, assigned the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Kadafur, to oversee the activities of the new ministry, citing his practical experience and passion for livestock development.
He said “livestock development is not just about academic qualifications, it is about practice and the deputy governor has demonstrated capability in that regard.”
According to him, the ministry will prioritise procuring high-yielding livestock varieties, enhancing milk production and creating sustainable rural projects to support
Local communities.
He said that projects in Mafa, Gajiram and in Southern Borno will soon be launched under the new ministry’s purview.
The governor urged civil servants and ministry personnel to take ownership of the new initiative, adding that the ministry’s success would contribute to the states
Long-term economic stability and self-reliance.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) through the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC) has commenced operations after undergoing rehabilitation and modernisation.
The refinery with 210,000 bpd refining capacity located at Alesa, Eleme, in Port Harcourt, comprises two operational units which were established in 1965 and 1989.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the old plant refines a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the new plant refines 150,000 bpd.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government, under former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had in March 2021 secured a 1.5 billion dollars loan to rehabilitate the facility which contract was awarded to an Italian firm, Tecnimont S.P.A, a subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont Group.
NAN) reports that Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd. is leading the team to inspect the first lifting of petroleum product from the facility after its rehabilitation.
Alia appoints head of agric company, others
Gov. Hyacinth Alia has approved the appointment of Mr. Donald Aorkwagh Akule as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Benue State Agricultural Development Company (ADC).
The governor also approved the appointment of Dr Aondoakaa Asambe as Principal Special Assistant (PSA) on Livestock Development and Animal Transboundary Disease Control.
The appointments were announced in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Friday.
According to the statement, the governor also appointed Mr Abraham Agogo as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Community Mobilisation.
The statement added that the appointments take immediate effect.
It said that Akule brings over 15 years of experience in agricultural systems, community development, research and development, and food processing.
He holds a B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, and is a Certified Fellow in Agricultural Systems Development under USAID and Lagos Business School.
Meanwhile, Asambe, a member of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association and a registered veterinary surgeon with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, has been a lecturer at Federal University, Dutsima, for the past 12 years.
He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi).
He also holds a postgraduate degree in Food Animal Medicine at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Borno establishes Ministry of Livestock, Fishery Development
British High Commissioner seeks military, civilian efforts in tackling insecurity
Zulum swears in 2 new commissioners
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