3 Big Things Today, February 10

Soybean, Grain Futures Decline Overnight; Ethanol Production Rises Again to Record. 

1. Grains, Beans Again Lower Overnight After Rising in Day Session

Soybeans and grains again swung to overnight losses as overseas investors are seemingly more worried about export demand than their U.S. counterparts.
Prices recently have declined overnight but rebounded during the U.S. trading session. Societe Generale said in a note to investors that a trade war with China would be harmful to soybean prices in Chicago and would benefit those in South America.

President Trump has suggested he would put levies on imports from certain countries, though his focus since taking office has been on Mexico rather than China. Talk about imposing a border levy on Mexican goods has some agriculture groups worried that it will slow exports of U.S. goods.
Soybean futures for March delivery fell 2¾¢ to $10.34 a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade. Soy meal futures lost $2.10 to $333.90 a short ton, and soy oil rose 0.17¢ to 34.48¢ a pound.
Wheat for March delivery declined 2¼¢ to $4.31½ a bushel in Chicago, while Kansas City futures fell 1¾¢ to $4.38¾ a bushel.
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2. Ethanol Production Jumps to Record For Fourth Time in Five Weeks

Ethanol production jumped to a record for the fourth time in five weeks in the seven days that ended on January 27, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Output in the U.S. totaled a record 1.061 million barrels a day, on average, up from 1.051 million the prior week, the EIA said in a report. Production returned to a record after falling off slightly in the week that ended on January 20.
Stockpiles of the biofuel, meanwhile, rose to the highest level in nine months. Inventories rose to 21.87 million barrels, up from 21.728 million the prior week, the highest since April, according to the EIA.
The increased ethanol production is good news for farmers as producers used 108.9 million bushels of corn in the week, according to data from INTL FCStone Chief Economist Arlan Suderman.
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3. Winter Storm Hovers Over Black Hills; Little Snow Expected in Iowa, Nebraska

A winter storm warning is still in effect for parts of northeastern Wyoming, southwestern South Dakota, and northwestern Nebraska, according to the National Weather Service.
“Snow is expected to be moderate at times late this afternoon and evening over the Black Hills area and especially over southwestern South Dakota,” the NWS said in a report this morning.
From 2 to 6 inches is expected to fall in the area with higher amounts likely over parts of the Black Hills, the agency said. The storm began yesterday but seems to have stalled out and is hovering over that specific region for now.
Some light snow is expected for parts of western Iowa and eastern Nebraska today, but little accumulation is expected, according to the NWS.

Obaseki to make Edo state foremost Agribusiness hub in Nigeria

Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki has disclosed plans to make the state the focal point for agribusiness in Nigeria.

The Governor who made the disclosure during a 3-day agribusiness workshop at the Randekhi Hotel in Benin City with the theme: “Harnessing resources and opportunities to optimize agribusiness in Edo State” expressed that his administration would be initiating strategies that could enhance agricultural development, create jobs and guarantee food security.

“While we must continue to encourage small farm holdings to improve and obtain modern technology, we must address the policy of mechanization, characterization using technology’’, he explained.

He also informed that the state government had promised to work with the federal government to revitalize arable lands for optimum use.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Wells Sam Calos Farm, Hosa Okunbor, has commended the initiative of the state government on agricultural development and food security.

He however urged all the stakeholders to work with the state government towards achieving the agricultural development plan.

Enugu Community appeal to Govt to repair Farm Roads

The people of Agabi Kingdom, Ihuokpara, in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, have appealed to the state government to repair the bad roads which continues to impede agricultural development in the community.

Addressing the crowd at the Enugu yam festival recently held in Ihuokpara, the traditional ruler, Igwe Fidelis Ogbu Nwatu, Eze Agabi II of Agabi Kingdom lamented that the deplorable state of the roads in the community.

“Our community is a big farming agent in the state. We farm rice, Fadama III participants are in this community, yam, cassava and other vegetables. Our market attracts people from Enugu, Akpugo, Agbani, Nara, Ugbawka and other neighbouring communities, all of who need good road to enter Ihuokpara”, he said.

He called on the governor to provide good roads that will enable the people contribute to feeding the world.
Also speaking at the event, the President General of Umuokpara, Alexander Nnamani, informed that the people of the community had been marginalized because of the bad roads.

“We have been marginalized badly in terms of roads, people cannot access our community easily and our people are predominately famers. During the rainy season, nobody comes home and our parents are in pains. When they produce things in their farms, no road to take them out to sell and make money.” he said.

Scent leaf: beyond the kitchen

The scent leaf Ocimum gratissimum  is not just a kitchen-friendly herb used in numerous culinary creations. The plant  which hails from Africa and grows in  other tropical regions, also has reputed health benefits.

In Nigeria, The Yorubas call it Efirin, the Igbos call it Nchanwu, the Ibibios call it Ntong and the Hausas, Daidoya.

Here are some amazing benefits of the scent leaf Ocimum gratissimum

• Scent leaves can be used to treat stomach ache, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery and vomiting.
• Scent leave aids digestion
• When left to dry and burnt, this leaves could serve as a mosquito repellent.
• Scent leaves seeds can be infused for treating urinary infections, gonorrhoea infection, vaginal douches for vaginitis.
• Scent leaves are high in calcium,phophurus , iron, potassium, carbon and vitamin A.
• The essential oil of this leaf contains eugenol, thus having antibacterial properties.
• Mashed scent leaves are also used in treating skin diseases such as ring worms.
• Scent leaves can also be used in treating aches and reliefs from colon pains.
• Scent leaves can also be used in the prevention and treatment of malaria, cough, catarrh and fever.
• Scent leave has immense health benefits such as easy bowel evacuation and weight management.

Obaseki, Investors, Others Inspect Fertilizer Plant In Auchi, Okpella

Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured Edo people that the abandoned fertilizer plant at Auchi would be up and running in the next three months, creating the first set of employment to the people.

Obaseki made the disclosure while speaking with Journalists on Saturday shortly after he made an on-the-spot assessment visit to the site with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund along with other investors in Auchi, Etsako West local government area.

“Well as you can see for yourselves, this is the type of industry they said they built for us when they said they were going to industrialize Edo.

“We have come with some investors, Mr. Uche Orji is the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Funds and you know that they have a programme for fertilizer and agriculture in the country.

“So we have brought them to come and see this facility and to see what we can do to reactivate it; that is the purpose of our being here”.

He said “depending on how quickly we can move with investors; we have some interests from the private sector who understand the fertilizer business and we will get them to come and invest with us. From the positive indications, we believe that we can get this factory running before April,’’ Obaseki said.

On his part Orji, lamented the loss of billions of naira by Edo state these years saying, “with this type of facilities in the state, Edo state has been missing lots of opportunities with a factory like this,’’ he said.

According to him, “once the governor and the investors have agreed, I don’t think it will take too long to get this plant running”.

“Our objective as the governor has mentioned, is to put the raw materials into this plant and have it to start working,’’ Mr. Orji said.

He said “the president has presidential initiative for fertilizer, and the idea is instead of importing finished fertilizer, we bring in the component and blend it locally.

“If you do that, price will come down significantly and luckily, Edo is a state that has lots of raw materials needed.

“So this should be a natural advantage for Edo state to start which will employ alot of people.

“It will also at the same time, bring alot of advantages with it; bring down the prices of fertilizer for the farmers that is the idea of the presidential special programme,’’ he said.

Mr. Thomas Etu, President Fertilizer Producers Association of Nigeria, who described the abandoned fertilizer plant as a great facility said “with some little investments, this factory will be up and running in the next two to three months”.

Etu said that, “with the presidential initiative on ground, it is a place that jobs would be created, as we are looking at a minimum of one thousand people being on a train of shifts running in this factory and the prices of fertilizer would come down and become affordable to the farmers at N5,500.

“While the product will be sold here at the plant at N5,000 per bag;  so it is a great opportunity and we should be thanking the governor for showing interest to look at this plant and see how it is going to be beneficial to everybody in the state,’’ he said.

Mexico Prepared to Source South American Corn

The Mexican government would seek other agricultural suppliers in the case that President Trump fulfills his promise of imposing a major border tax of 20% on Mexican products in order to pay for a border wall.
This could mean a significant lost of market for U.S. farmers, including beef, poultry, hog, corn, soybeans, rice, and others.

“I warn you: The openness for grain and agricultural products for Brazil will eat the market that you have today in Mexico,” said Ildefonso Guajardo, Mexico’s economy secretary in a meeting this week with Stephen Bannon, Peter Navarro, and Jared Kushner, all Trump’s top aides, according to the Mexican press.

Throughout last year, Mexico has already sought to negotiate several trade agreements with both South American countries, but nothing concrete has been announced yet.

According to Mike Zuzolo, president of Global Analytics & Consulting, there already has been market anxiety about what is going to happen on this issue and with cattle. Feed-meal traders from the south of the border are already trying to anticipate major decisions.

“It would all depend on the size of the second corn crop in Brazil. If Brazil has sufficient volume, it would be able to sell corn from $25 to $35 per ton (into Mexico), and there will be significant changes in the market. It’s all about the weather in Mato Grosso in the coming months,” Zuzolo predicted in a call with

On the other hand, it is unknown when a possible border tax between both countries woud be imposed, though it most likely that it would come after the third quarter of the year of even in 2018.

Mexico imports nearly 11 metric tons of yellow corn - all of it from the U.S.
In the view of Mexican analyst Alfonso García Araneda, general director of Gamaa Derivates in Mexico City, it would be harmful for both countries if a border tax is imposed. He highlights that corn and soybean purchases in Mexico are made by U.S.-based corporations such as Archer Daniels Midland and Cargill.
“The Mexican government is negotiating as hard as it can because there will be losses for both parts. I think that the U.S. administration will take into consideration all the damage it can generate for Americans. Mexican officials are trying to show it,” García

Yet, the trade war with Mexico would not be the only one that could generate loss of market share for U.S. agricultural products. For Brazilian analyst Carlos Cogo, who is based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, the U.S. exit of the TPP could be an opportunity for Brazil to sell at least 150 agricultural items for the 12 countries involved, but he sees a risk on the effect of Trump’s policies all over the world.

“The fiscal stimulus and higher interest rates will lead to a stronger dollar. This could generate a wave of devaluations of emerging markets’ currencies,” analyzed Cogo.

We will give those who produce locally the support we can give- Osinbajo

In line with efforts to address the challenges faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the country, the federal government has launched a nationwide project code-named “MSME Clinics”.

Speaking at the Southeast maiden edition of Nationwide Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Clinic held at Aba, the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, expressed that the agenda of the federal government is to create sustainable platform through its relevant agencies that would ensure that businesses in the country that produce locally made goods are given adequate support and wider spectrum to grow.

“We will spend time to ensure that we give those who produce locally all the support that we can give, and that is why we are doing this clinics,” he said.

Osinbanjo reiterated the quest for development of local capacity is the panacea for rapid economic growth.
He added that the Clinic was designed to bring together all those agencies in one spot and at appointed times across the country to attend to the needs, questions and requests of people doing business.

He however urged the relevant government agencies to see themselves as facilitators of the businesses and remove restrictions that are often reported when enterprises have something to do with the agencies.
The project is expected to run till the 19th of February, 2017.

Osun Government requests Expression of Interest for Competent Aggregators

The Osun state government has called on competent aggregators to express their interest in activating market-driven agricultural value chain in the state.

The Osun Agricultural Value Chain Activation initiative is a project of the state government to partner with competent aggregators to spur private sector-led and market-driven agricultural value chain development and is designed to use the aggregator and out-grower model in a way that is innovative, sustainable and scalable.

The vision is to facilitate the activation of a minimum of 10 market-driven value chains that will empower 50,000 sustainable smallholder farmers/MSME, increase income and create jobs for 300,000 people using the aggregator and out-grower model.

A statement signed by the Project and Economic Team (PET) in the Governor’s office, states that selected aggregators will identify and establish sustainable and competitive markets in any of the Plantain, Rice, Cassava, Yam, Maize, Tomatoes, Soybeans, Cocoa, Rice, Oil Palm, Poultry, Rice, Oil Palm, Poultry, Aquaculture, Small Ruminant, Goats, Piggery, and Forestry value chains.

The aggregators will secure sustainable market linkage and organise Osun Small businesses to produce in commercial quantities. The initiative will connect competent aggregators to qualifying small businesses leveraging on the abundance of Macro, Small and Medium and Enterprise (MSME) funds at the National and Sub-Nation levels to support small businesses.

The statement also informed that the initiative will also partner relevant financial and development institutions.

IITA to embark on Private sector-led Agric Initiative

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has disclosed plans to begin a new private sector-led agriculture initiative christened Africa Agricultural Transformation  in June 2017.

The Project Leader, Sustainable Weed Management Technologies for Cassava Systems in Nigeria, Dr Alfred Dixon, made this known in Lagos.

“In partnership with the African Development Bank, we have engaged the private sector in 35 African countries to provide an avenue where Africa will feed itself and this we have done with the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation, which will be rolled out in June, this year”, he said.

Dickson expressed that the project was premised on the need  for  active participation of the private sector in advancing the development of the Agricultural sector in Africa.

“The private sector is very important because it will drive the market. Technology will go nowhere without the market. We need the input and the output markets. If we don’t have the private sector to play this role, technology will go nowhere, even the small-scale farmers will never benefit from our technology”, he said.

Commending Niji Farms and Allied Services Limited for its technological innovations in cassava processing, he expressed confidence that such innovations would generate income as well as curtail environmental pollution.

“I am very happy for this sort of initiative for cassava processing to provide increased income and reduce environmental pollution in Nigeria, particularly now that Nigeria is a global leader in cassava” he stated.

3 Ministries To Sensitise Nigerians On Stainless Grinding Machines

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has said that the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Health and Science and Technology will partner with the media to educate Nigerians on the need to embrace the new technology of operating and using electronic Stainless Grinding Machine.

Ogbeh revealed this at a press briefing in Abuja recently when a company, Niji Lucas Nigerian Limited, visited the ministry to demonstrate the operational system of the stainless grinding machine. He disclosed that grinding of pepper, tomatoes among others with the usual iron grinding machines in our household and other food outlets across the country could cause health hazard due to the metallic substances that usually mix with the processed items.

He added that the cases of liver and kidney problems among youths and children may be attributed to poor food processing methods of the populace.

The minister maintained that “the food we eat can be a source of health or poison depending on how the food is processed, stressing that the food we take are very good but our shortcoming is the processing method which poses danger to our health”.

Also speaking, the managing director, Niji Lucas Nigerian Ltd, Engr. Kola Adeniji said “the company’s mindset for the construction of the electric grinding machine is to ensure that Nigerians have healthy living by keying into the new technology in food processing.” He said the machine works according to its capacity and is very easy to operate. He demonstrated how the machine works with the grinding of tomatoes, pepper and onions at the occasion.