RMRDC revives Kenaf production, gives seeds to farmers

From left: Dr. J. A. Adetumbi of IAR&T, Ibadan; Malam Musa Labaran, Vice President, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Hassan Abubakar, National President, Kenaf Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (KEPPMAN); Dr. Dan’Azumi Ibrahim, Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Christine Sunkur, National Women Leader, KEPPMAN and Dr. A. A. Ogunwusi, Director, Agro and Agro Allied Department, RMRDC.

The Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC)-an agency of the Federal Government, which promotes the production of crops of strategic importance to the economy, is now reviving kenaf production.

Last week, the agency gathered kenaf farmers, processors and marketers and gave them improved seeds for the 2017 planting season, in a ceremony held in Abuja.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Dr Hussain Doko Ibrahim, said kenaf was capable of revolutionizing the Nigerian agricultural and industrial landscape if its potentials were well harnessed.

“One of the major industrial uses of kenaf, which Nigeria is presently most concerned, is the production of jute sacks for packaging agro raw materials for exports. In view of the collapse of the national initiative on the jute sacks production locally, the current jute sacks requirement in the country is estimated at about 5 million pieces,” he said.

Represented by Dr A A. Ogunwusi, the Director, Agriculture & Agro Allied Department of the council, he said the import costs about N2.75 billion in foreign exchange on annual basis, adding that the situation has forced commodity exporters to import second hand jute sacks from Ghana.

This, he said, necessitated the council’s intervention in growing kenaf, which is a raw material for the jute bags industries in the country.

“To promote sustainability of improved planting materials, the council in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training IAR&T, Ibadan, this year produced improved kenaf seeds, which are being distributed today to the members of Kenaf Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (KEPPMAN) for further multiplication,” he stated.

Currently, Nigeria has over one million hectares of land for the cultivation of kenaf in about 18 states of the federation-Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau, Kwara, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and the FCT.

Other areas of intervention by the council include establishment of a pilot kenaf farms and processing centres in Oyo and Niger states in 2012 and 2014 respectively; multi-locational-field trials of improved kenaf seeds through IAR&T Ibadan; design and fabrication of kenaf decorticating machines at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, among other areas.

Reacting to the development, National President of Kenaf Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (KEPPMAN), Hassan Abubakar, in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust, said the gesture was a welcome development, adding that the association now had improved seed for multiplication and distribution to other farmers.

Apostle Kunle Amosu, the National Secretary of the association, however, worried that kenaf could be cultivated in commercial quantity without mechanizing the process.

He puts the jute bags needs of Nigeria at 28 million, adding that “to produce just 2 million bags, you need 3,000 tonnes of kenaf fibre.”

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) is an annual fibre cordage crop ( for making rope, thread, and sack cloth) now has new applications including paper products, building materials, absorbents, and livestock feed.

HISTORIC WATER SCARCITY AND DROUGHT SUMMIT.

Australia will host 200 leaders from the public and private sector, including government ministers, business and civil society leaders and leading scientists at a historic summit on water scarcity and drought on 10 October this year .


The summit will be a part of the World Water Congress and Exhibition taking place from 9-14 October in Brisbane. Hosting keynotes, roundtables and plenary discussions, it will debate effective policy and institutions, best approaches, effective technologies to reduce water demand and losses, reuse of water, desalination, replenishment and refilling reservoirs.


According to the event organisers, droughts have become more frequent and water scarcity has grown in severity in all regions of the world. This is driven both by climate change and poor water management. The World Economic Forum ranks water security as the top global risk facing societies, economies and businesses over the next decade.


International Water Association (IWA) executive director Dr. Ger Bergkamp said, “The effects of water scarcity and drought will only intensify if we do not act. The summit will launch the world’s first public-private action-agenda solely dedicated to water scarcity and drought: DroughtAction. It will enable participating countries, organisations and water-dependent companies to discuss and agree what needs to be done in order to meet key elements of the new UN Sustainable Development Goals.”


“There are many strengthening mechanisms that need to be put into place to ensure lasting change. These mechanisms include: sharing information and knowledge, spreading best practices and mobilising public and private investments. All together these initiatives will generate the momentum necessary to address water scarcity and drought,” he added. NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

THE FIGHT AGAINST SOIL DEGRADATION.

A University of Bologna coordinated scheme, co-funded by the LIFE program 2014-2020 aims to provide proper irrigation management to fight against soil degradation.

The programme coordinated by the University of Bologna, co-funded by the LIFE program 2014-2020 aims to create a user friendly system for a proper irrigation management in agro-ecosystems of Mediterranean wetlands, which are often threatened by the soil salinization. While the technology is not yet planned to go into Africa, if the programme is successful, there is no doubt that the rest of the world, particularly where soil salinization is a major issue, it will be rolled out further.

The University of Bologna press office said that "the salts present in the water accumulate in the upper layers of the soil, undermining the growth of most plants: a serious problem of soil degradation that can lead, in extreme cases, even to the desertification.

"To cope this phenomenon, Agrowetlands II relies on precision agriculture, through an innovative system of irrigation management that guarantees the preservation of the quality of soil and water, maintains productivity, as well as the biodiversity, in accordance with the objectives of the EU Soil Thematic Strategy, the EU Water Framework Directive and the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change.

"To test the new technology will be some farms of the cooperative Agrisfera, in Ravenna, few kilometers from the Adriatic coast, between the mouths of the Reno and Lamone: lands reclaimed during the 60s, where soil salinization, originated from various concomitant causes, is quite frequent.

Using information captured by a network of wireless sensors monitoring soil moisture and salinity, a Decision Support System will provide indications for proper and effective management of irrigation. The same system will be replicated at the Comunidad de Carrizales, another Mediterranean agricultural area at Elche-Alicante, in southern Spain with salinized soils." NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

US TRADE MISSION SEEKS TO EXPAND AFRICAN AGRIBUSINESS COOPERATION.

Over 40 U.S. business representatives plan to meet with senior Egyptian government and private sector officials to discuss ways to expand agricultural trade between the United States and Egypt.


A trade mission led by the Foreign Agricultural Service Deputy Administrator Mark Slupek arrived in Cairo on 2 April with over 40 U.S. business representatives who are planing to meet with senior Egyptian government and private sector officials to discuss ways to expand agricultural trade between the United States and Egypt. Coordinated by the Embassy’s Office of Agricultural Affairs, the visit will include briefings, one-on-one meetings, and site visits.


“The potential for market expansion in Egypt is great,” said Deputy Administrator Slupek. “This is the first time we’ve led a trade mission to North Africa, we’re hoping that we’re going to create some great business opportunities for the people who join us on this mission.”


The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has an international network of 93 offices covering 171 countries. FAS helps identify opportunities for U.S. exporters and builds relations with a broad range of government officials and private sector stakeholders in other countries to promote agricultural sector trade and cooperation.  NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

MOODY'S : COTE D'IVOIRE AND GHANA ARE REMAINING RESILIENT TO CREDIT PRESSURES FROM COCOA PRICE FALL.

Moody's Investors Service have produced a report on Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, stating that the nations are remaining resilient against credit pressures bought upon by the drastic fall in cocoa price .
The report states that 'the price of cocoa futures fell to a low of US$1,889/ton in mid-February 2017, the lowest price in 10 years. The current average cocoa prices reflect a drop of around 30 per cent compared to mid-2016.'


'Such a large drop will place pressures on all stakeholders in the cocoa sector, but particularly on leading global producers Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana via the current account, fiscal and economic channels.


That said, we [Moody's] expect support for the cocoa sector from the government, and minimum farm gate prices have protected farmers in Côte d’Ivoire's from the short-term fluctuation in prices, whilst Ghana's burgeoning oil sector will help to offset the impact on its credit profile.'


Moody's state four key findings from their study. First, the recent sharp drop in cocoa prices is significant but it is underpinning historically volatilities. The second is that farmers and producers are more exposed in the supply chain. Third, the credit impact on Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana will be felt via deteriorating current account deficits, fall in government revenue that could inflate budget deficits, and slowing growth via falling household incomes and finally, Credit strengths and government development strategies underpin credit profiles. NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

BIOCONTROL PRODUCT TO COMBAT AFLATOXIN IN THE GAMBIA.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has launched Aflasafe, an all-natural biocontrol product, to combat the dangers posed by afltoxin in The Gambia .

Aflatoxin is poses a big threat to Africa’s food, affecting key staples such as maize and groundnuts, which are common foods across sub-Saharan Africa. To combat the dangers posed by Aflatoxin, AflasafeSN01 has been launched in Banjul, The Gambia. Aflasafe is an all-natural biocontrol product, developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in collaboration with national and international partners.

“The Gambia is amongst the first countries to benefit from Aflasafe registration and commercialisation strategy that will guide local manufacturing and distribution and strategic interventions to enable Aflasafe’s uptake,” said Matiéyédou Konlambigue, managing director of IITA’s Aflasafe Technology Transfer and Commercialisation Project (ATTC). Apart from The Gambia, the product is currently registered in three other countries – Senegal, Nigeria and Kenya.
A situational analysis conducted in The Gambia by the African Union’s Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) in 2015 revealed low awareness on aflatoxin and its dangers on human and animal health. The assessment showed that the most significant impact of the toxin is on human health.

Speaking on behalf of the minister of agriculture, Omar A Jallow , the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr Sait Drammeh, said, “The government is aware of the multidimensional negative impacts of aflatoxin. We are deeply concerned with the findings of this study and are committed to ensure the implementation of the recommendations, and the action plan informed by the PACA country assessment. We note with concern our inability to enhance our foreign exchange earnings from groundnut exports due to aflatoxin contamination,” he said.

He added that computations based on international and actual prices from 2008 to 2014 indicate a cumulative economic loss of about US$22.8mn, which translates to a loss of US$1.5mn as an annual average. “Tests conducted in Senegal and The Gambia over the past five years and two years, respectively, have resulted in an aflatoxin reduction level of more than 95 per cent, which is very encouraging. This launch comes at a time when The Gambia is ready to address the issue of aflatoxin as a whole,” he said. NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

NORFUND TO INVEST IN ETHIOPIAN BEEF EXPORTER.

The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries, Norfund, announced an investment of US$7.4mn in Verde Beef Processing, an Ethiopian beef producer

Verde Beef Processing (VBP) is an integrated beef producer that undertakes feed production and feed lotting activities. The company produces premium beef and aims to become the largest cattle processing operation in Eastern Africa. It has a target output of more than 130,000 carcasses per year.

The capital provided by Norfund will help VBP become the largest cattle processing operation in Eastern Africa by enabling the construction of a state of the art abattoir and meat processing facility, which is currently underway, and also fund working capital for the business. Norfund will work alongside 8 Miles who made an initial investment into VBP in November 2015.

The farm is located in the Adami Tulu district, Oromia regional state, Ziway Ethiopia, close to the new railway line to Djibouti. The company is part of the agricultural transformation in Ethiopia and has been instrumental in the development of the surrounding community through the purchase of bull calves and inputs for feed. The company has today created over 400 jobs directly on the farm with the upgraded skills needed for competing in the global beef market. In addition, more than 3500 jobs have been created indirectly through local sourcing of calves and feed inputs. As the company expands, these numbers will grow and is anticipated to reach 2000 employees and supporting over 50,000 livelihoods when the company reaches full operation.

Scott Friesen, Chairman and Co-founder of VBP said, "We're excited about the partnership with Norfund which will enable us to provide incomes to thousands more families annually, generate US$18mn of revenues in 2018, reach an export value of US$100mn annually by 2021, and further develop the important meat sector in Ethiopia. Verde Beef is a critical project that is aligned with the Ethiopian government's focus on job creation, increasing exports and introducing improvements to the agricultural sector."

Managing Director of Norfund Mr. Kjell Roland added, "This is our first direct investment in Ethiopia, and Norfund is delighted to contribute to Ethiopia's growth and export through Verde Beef" adding that "this investment is focused on employment creation and export and fits very well with our strategy to contribute to sustainable enterprises and economic development in Africa." NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

NEW GRANT TO SUPPORT THE AFICAN POULTRY INDUSTRY.

The World Poultry Foundation (WPF) has received a four year US$21.4mn dollar grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to enhance poultry production in Tanzania and Nigeria

The WPF, a non-profit organisation committed promoting economic development in emerging markets by providing education and technical training on poultry production, will use the grant to lead a project that will catalyse a transformation of rural poultry production in these two countries, while working closely with government and in-country private sector partners. This initiative is expected to increase poultry production and productivity through the access of low-input dual purpose birds, increase rural household income, improve household nutrition and empower women.

“This grant provides us with an opportunity to implement a strategy that creates access of improved genetics to the rural famers, provides technical assistance and training, and offers access to markets that may not have been possible before,” said Randall Ennis, CEO of the World Poultry Foundation. “Our goal is to impact 2.5 million households across Tanzania and Nigeria by the end of this four-year initiative.

“Unlike past approaches of delivering free chicks and feed to the rural farmers, this project will focus on training and extension support to build a sustainable value chain,” Ennis said. He pointed out that one of the key components of the project is the establishment of over 1,500 entrepreneurial enterprises – primarily owned and managed by women – that will supply healthy brooded and vaccinated chicks to the rural smallholder farmers. NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

GOVERNMENTS MEET TO DISCUSS THE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE OF LIVESTOCK IN AFRICA.

Government ministers and representatives from Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) met in Ethiopia to discuss the future of the livestock sector in Africa

Africa Sustainable Livestock 2050 (ASL2050) launched in Addis Ababa at the meeting, encourages governments to think beyond livestock today, for the people of tomorrow. ASL2050 is a cross-sectoral initiative analysing the impact of a growing livestock sector on public health, the environment, and livelihoods.

Professor Fekadu Beyene, Ethiopian Minister of Livestock and Fishery, explained “This is a wonderful opportunity to share expertise and experience between ministries and countries, with the aim of building a sustainable livestock sector in the coming decades that will enrich the lives of all our citizens. We are looking forward to partnering with USAID and FAO to examine our livestock systems now, and realise the potential they have for the future through the sustainable implementation of the Livestock Master Plan.”

Africa’s economy is forecast to experience significant growth in the next 20 to 30 years. As a result of rising household incomes, people will want to eat more meat, eggs and dairy products. This provides a great opportunity for growth in the livestock sector, but could also pose serious challenges for public health and environmental protection. ASL2050 aims to facilitate a dialogue between countries, ministries, and specialists to help Africa to prepare for these changes – building the capacity to maximise benefits and minimise challenges.

“The demand for milk, meat and eggs is going to double, triple and even quadruple in some African countries in the coming decades. This is going to cause a revolution in the livestock sector,” said USAID Ethiopia Mission Director Leslie Reed. “With ASL2050, we are going to collaborate with governments to work out how to build the foundations for this change, so that African farmers and consumers will be better off. More livestock means more feed is needed, and land use will change. This presents some challenges for the environment that we need to start preparing for now.” NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

AVIAN INFLUENZA(BIRDFLU) IN WINTER 2016-2017

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a disease of birds. The H5N8 strain of the disease has been found in the UK in farmed and wild birds since December 2016.

Public Health England advises the risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said there is no food safety risk for UK consumers.

If you keep poultry and captive birds

H5N8 avian flu remains a threat to poultry and kept birds across the UK and keepers must comply with strict disease prevention measures.

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is in place across England. It applies to everyone who keeps poultry or captive birds. This means all keepers - whether they have commercial flocks or a few birds in their back garden - must follow strict rules on biosecurity.

These include minimising your movement in and out of bird enclosures, cleaning footwear, keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy and feeding birds indoors. Read our short, simple advice for keepers of backyard flocks .

From 13 April 2017 the Prevention Zone rules have changed. All poultry in England are now allowed outside as keepers are no longer required to house them or have total range netting in place in Higher Risk Areas of England. Read detailed advice about the Prevention Zone requirements .

This decision was taken based on the latest veterinary advice and scientific evidence which concluded the level of risk to poultry in the Higher Risk Areas has now reduced to the same level as that across the rest of England. All keepers must continue to follow our detailed biosecurity requirements. NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

A ban on poultry gatherings remains in place across the UK. This applies to birds including chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, and restricts events such as livestock fairs, auctions and bird shows.

Advice on rearing game birds and shooting while the Prevention Zone is in force is available from The National Gamekeepers Organisation.

All disease control measures will be kept under review based on the latest situation and up-to-date scientific advice.

Welfare of housed birds in warm weather

If your birds are housed it is especially important to keep a close eye on them in warmer weather to ensure they remain comfortable and healthy.

Check them regularly and ensure they have enough water and sufficient ventilation. You should monitor the maximum temperature and take action if it significantly exceeds 21ºC for adult birds or around 13ºC for adult ducks.

Free range status

All egg producers in England can now let their birds outside provided they observe strict disease prevention measures. Keepers can sell products as free-range if they come from birds which meet all the free-range requirements.

Reporting suspicion of disease in your poultry

For advice and guidance on what to do if you keep poultry or to report suspicion of disease in animals, call the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301 or read our detailed guidance on avian influenza.

Reporting dead wild birds

Members of the public should report dead wild birds - such as swans, geese, ducks, gulls or birds of prey - to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77. Defra will then collect some of these birds and test them to help us understand how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of bird.

Cases of avian influenza since December 2016

The H5N8 strain of the disease has been confirmed at farms in Northumberland, Suffolk, Lancashire and Lincolnshire, and in backyard flocks in North Yorkshire and Carmarthenshire.

Where avian influenza has been confirmed, we put restrictions around the site - a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance zone - to limit the spread of disease, and we investigate the source of the infection. There are currently no Protection Zone or Surveillance Zone restrictions in place.

As well as being found in poultry, the same strain of the virus has also been found in wild birds in England, Scotland and Wales. We publish a list of cases where we find avian influenza in wild birds.