Agriculture
Nigerian Government, NSPRI train ADP staff on management of post-harvest losses
The Federal Government in partnership with Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has begun training of Agricultural Development Project (ADP) staff in the South East and South-South zones of the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-day training programme, which began on Wednesday in Sapele, aimed to equip farmers with requisite knowledge on how to manage post-harvest losses in the region.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director, NSPRI, Dr Patricia Pessu, said that the training programme was aimed at stepping down knowledge on post-harvest management, through the ADP staff, to rural farmers.
Pessu said that post-harvest losses had a significant effect on the economy.
“The institute would be taking advantage of the platform to disseminate information and share experiences as well as achievements on post-harvest management to reduce post-harvest losses,” she said.
She said that about 30 per cent of grains, such as maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea, root and tuber crops such as yam, cassava and potatoes were lost post-harvest in the country.
“About 50 of fruits and vegetables produced in Nigeria are also lost post-harvest. Unfortunately, these losses are in the rural areas, that are in dire need of development.”
She described the ADP officials as partners and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, who had over the years ”helped to improve the livelihoods of the farmers by helping to provide them with inputs such as fertilizers and seedlings.
“As we know, post-harvest has not been at the forefront of their roles and we, having the mandate to research post-harvest losses, decided as part of our 2021 project to get the ADPs on board, realising their importance at the grassroots”.
“So, we can bring them on board to put them through all the available technologies in the industry realising that as they are close to the grassroots, they will be able to impact on the farmers and to eventually improve their livelihoods and then improve the economy,” Pessu said.
The NSPRI boss assured me that the partnership would continue even after the training programme.
She said that the institute intended to have some of the technologies in some places that would be identified by the ADPs, where the farmers would access the facilities and use them free of charge.
In his remarks, the Delta State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Mr John Onovughe, said that the training would enable ADP staff to orientate farmers on how to preserve their produce.
“The training is commendable, as it will be nice if we can get it right this time around; post-harvest storage will boost the Nigerian economy.
”Technology innovation of the post-harvest training will enhance the living conditions of the farmers”, he said.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Julius Egbedi, represented by Mr Edwin Odiete, Programme Manager in the ministry, said farmers who were responsible for feeding the nation lacked the facilities to store their produce after harvest.
He added that the training would equip farmers with the requisite knowledge and new methods of preserving their crops.
Egbedi also said that the knowledge imparted in the course of the training would be extended to farmers on how best to preserve their produce, especially those in the rural areas.
One of the trainees, Mr Godwin Eze thanked the Ministry and NSPRI for the workshop, assuring that whatever they were taught would be extended to the farmers, to help reduce post-harvest losses in the country. (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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