Agriculture
Livestock: Ministry establishes 164 collection centres to boost milk production
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, says the ministry has established 164 milk collection centres in the country to boost livestock production and animal health.
Kyari disclosed this in his presentation at the ministerial sectoral update in commemoration of President Bola Tinubu’s first anniversary in Abuja.
He said that the ministry also established animal health centres and veterinary hospital as well as eight cottage feed mills and seven livestock centres across the country.
Kyari said the ministry procured and distributed 14,056,467 doses of anthrax spore, foot and mouth diseases vaccines for risk-based vaccination exercise in 22 high-risk States located in the North-Central, North-West, North-East, South-West and South-South zones of the country.
He said that the ministry organised capacity building of livestock farmers on biosecurity and anti-microbial resistance to safeguard animal production.
Kyari said the ministry equally facilitated the fodder and pasture programme with distribution of 130 Residue crushers and development of 1,848.5 hectares of pastures across states for livestock consumption.
He said the ministry, in a pilot phase, handed over to 15 State governments, 760 tonnes of poultry feed and 70 of ruminant feed for distribution to small holder farmers.
The minister said another achievement of the ministry was the implementation of National Livestock Development Plan on the promotion of grazing reserves and ranching nationwide.
Kyari said in response to persistent food inflation in the country, some measures were undertaken to boost food production.
“We distributed 60,432metric tonnes of improved seeds, 887,255mt seedlings and 138nos. value kits.
“Also, 501,726 litres of agrochemicals, 62,328.5 metric tonnes of inorganic fertilizers, 1,000kg fungicide and 33,200nos equipment to farmers across different value chains to enhance production,” he said.
He said the ministry received 2.15 million bags of fertiliser from the Central Bank of Nigeria for distribution to farmers free of charge.
Kyari said there was also improvement of farmland security with provision of additional resources to agro rangers and other security agencies.
On agricultural produce export, he said there was an increase based on the intensification of efforts for the production and processing of soya beans, sesame and ginger among others.
He also said as part of the ministry’s achievements within one year, it strengthened mechanisation for massive food production.
Kyari said the Federal Government, through the ministry, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with John Deere and Tata Africa to assemble in-country and supply 10,000 tractors with implements and accessories at 2,000 units yearly.
“As well as 100 units of combine harvesters to support production,” he said.
(NAN)
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.
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