Sow Multiple Crops With Monoshox

Monosem’s new ‘Monoshox’ coulter damping system enables a wide range of crops to be sown at accurate depth and spacing, while achieving excellent seed to soil contact, when working at much higher drilling speeds than previously achievable.

The system uses an automotive style shock absorber to supplement the metal bushed, parallelogram linkage and twin springs currently used to protect the coulter against shocks, and guarantees accurate drilling depth.

This new design is the result of the company’s 40 years’ experience, allied with feedback from customers around the world, including many in the UK, says Steve Twist, from Toucan Farm Machinery Ltd, Monosem’s UK importer: “Monosem has been developing the NG Plus continually since the 1980s and this is the fifth different version.

“We asked our many drill owners what they wanted from their next machine, and their top request was to be able to plant their wide range of crops at higher speed, without detriment to the planting accuracy they know they can rely on from Monosem. This new design is proven to do that, while also maintaining the consistent spacing and depth of sowing”.

“It ensures totally accurate placement of the seed – both in terms of distribution in the row and sowing depth – so crops emerge quickly and evenly, which simplifies all subsequent crop management, to give the best profitability.

This is achieved by the combination of the springs and the shock absorber, says Steve: “At lower working speeds the springs exert enough force to ensure the coulter maintains an even sowing depth.

“But – as with a car wheel – the shock forces that might move the coulter grow as speed increases. When this happens the shock absorber complements the springs and ensures the coulter stays at the right depth, in the same way that they ensure a tyre maintains maximum contact with the road.

“The planter has already proven its ability to sow a wide range of crops including maize, sugar beet, oilseed rape, beans and cereals in markets across the world, and a growing number of British growers are enquiring about it”, says Steve.

“We have particular interest from arable farmers in the Eastern counties who are looking to plant maize and sugar beet with one machine, and are growing these crops for anaerobic digesters”.

NG plus planters use a front levelling/sweeping blade to clean and level the soil surface directly ahead of the coulter, before the double disc openers cut a seeding slot to the depth set by the neighbouring and independent depth wheels either side of the discs

This slot is V-shaped and finished by the machine’s crucial ‘V-tip’, so that the seed sits at the bottom of the soil groove and is held and in contact on both sides.

Seeds are singulated in an all-metal vacuum metering box by a large diameter, 210mm stainless steel seeding disc. Using a disc of this size and material ensures both effective singulation and a long working life.

Single seeds are positively ejected and drop under gravity down a rearward-angled seed tube. This ensures they are placed in the V-slot by gravity alone, with no excess energy that might cause them to bounce or move. To ensure optimum seed to soil contact, the coulter is followed immediately by the ‘Pro’ stainless steel press wheel.

Two angled ‘V’ rubber press wheels make sure the soil is closed over the seed and guarantee twin contact points over the seed with the soil, giving optimised germination efficiency at speed.

“The pressure and working angle of these wheels is quickly and easily adjusted using individual control knobs, so the planter can maintain optimum performance and accurate planting depth in all different soil types and conditions. This also ensures they run cleanly and always cover the seed with soil then consolidate it.

Monosem offers the widest range of drill frame designs available – from two to 18 rows – with mounted, parallel folding and trailed models available. All drills are custom built to the buyer’s needs, with a full range of optional fertiliser and granule insecticide equipment, seed monitors and current Isobus systems being available.

New Kuhn Front-Mounted Disc Mowers for Faster Solo or Combination Operations

KUHN Farm Machinery has expanded its range of front-mounted disc mowers with the addition of two new machines, both of which can be used either as solo machines or in combination with rear-mounted gear.

The GMD 3125 F (3.10m working width) and GMD 3525 F (3.50m) join KUHN’s existing line-up of 2.80 and 3.10m machines and have been designed for solo operations or for use in combination with rear-mounted mowers or as part of a triple gang setup where working widths can extend to 10 metres.

Both new models are equipped with KUHN’s maintenance-free OPTIDISC cutter bar (7 cutting discs on the 3125, 8 cutting discs on the 3525, two FAST-FIT knives per disc) and use twin PTO-powered swathing drums to produce a well-centred swath, the width of which can be varied between 1.00 and 1.20 metres.

The new machines feature KUHN’s LIFT-CONTROL hydraulic suspension system: this fast-acting, low ground pressure system allows the mower to accurately follow ground contours and safeguards the quality and cleanliness of the forage sward by reducing soil contamination as a result of ground impacts. It also helps to reduce wear and tear on working parts and skids, and keeps fuel consumption to a minimum.

The pendulum style suspension also enables a 30-degree range of cross-plane movement and up to 70cm of vertical travel. The mowing units can also rotate from front to rear in a range of -6.5 and +5 degrees for added ground contouring capability.

All machines in the GMD mower range are protected by KUHN’s PROTECTADRIVE system, which prevents impact damage by allowing the individual disc’s drive shaft to shear. KUHN’s hardwearing FLEXPROTECT side guards are also fitted as standard.

The addition of the GMD 3125 F and GMD 3525 F machines means KUHN now has a range of six front-mounted disc mowers, with models suited to all types of farms and tractors: from upland livestock to lowland dairy farms, and from low to high horsepower tractors.

N130m lost to ghost Cocoa farmers in Cross River

Cross River State Government has lost over N130 million returns in 2016 due to allocation of Cocoa farms to ghost farmers.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor Ben Ayade, on Cocoa Development, Oscar Ofuka disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

According to Ofuka “the Governor has directed me to review the allocations with a view to ensuring that the right farmers are given Cocoa farmlands. “But, the implication of this shoddy exercise is that the state has lost over N130 million from the projected revenue from cocoa allocation in 2016”.

He explained that the projected revenue about N200 million, should have been generated from payments for allocation fees by farmers, but only N68 million was realised adding that this was a huge set back to the government’s revenue drive.

Ofuka however stated that his office had mapped out strategy to begin verification of farmers to ascertain genuine allottees in the state three Cocoa Estates.

“We will first undertake physical verification exercise where farmers will be made to stand in front of their farms to receive their cocoa seedlings. “And later, we will carry out biometric capture of the farmers,’’ Ofuka said.

Commending the governor’s quick intervention on the matter, the Special Adviser assured the farmers that the state government’s target of 500,000 metric tons of cocoa annually would be feasible.

He also advised politicians, who were not professional farmers, to allow real cocoa farmers to do their work for the overall benefit of the state.

“We are trying to make cocoa our alternative revenue generating base in view of the dwindling federal allocation,’’ he said.

FG begins construction of Fish market in Illushi, Edo State

The Federal Government has begun construction of a fish market in Illushi community in Edo state.

The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Wellington Omoragbon, who disclosed this, informed the News Agency of Nigeria that the fish market located at Illushi in Esan South-East Local Government Area, was to boost the economy of the people, whose major occupation was fishing.

Speaking on the duration of the project, Omoragbon said the market construction which started in December 2016 is expected to be completed within six weeks, adding that the funding of the construction was from the 2016 budget.

“The market will consist of eight open stalls with cold rooms, four toilets, bathrooms and a borehole,’’ he said.

He also noted that Illushi community is located along the bank of the River Niger which serves as a major source of fish for commercial purposes in the community.

2017: Mike Omotosho Annual lecture centres on Agriculture

All is set for this year’s Mike Omotosho Annual lecture that seeks to dig dip into the Agricultural sector, unveiling opportunities available within and proposing solutions for lingering challenges in the Nigerian Agricultural sector towards a sustainable economic growth.

The event which will gather together professional, major players and policy makers to discuss and proffer efficient solutions and alternatives to pressing societal and developmental issues is set to hold by 9:30 am on Saturday 14th January, 2017 at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Presiding over the event is the Chairman, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) Farms, Afe Babalola, CON, OFR, SAN, with the President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Sani Dangote as Special Guest of Honour and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh as Chief Host.

Delivering the keynote address is The Ooni of Ife; His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II.

This 2017 lecture will have in attendance critical stakeholders and agricultural development partners such as: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Bank Of Agriculture (BOA), All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Bank Of Industry (BOI), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN – Development Finance Unit), and Women Farmers Network (WOFAN). However attendance is opened to all individuals.

This event is proudly supported by AgroNigeria, Smart Agriculture Solutions, Burley Consulting and Lolytee Nigeria Enterprises. The Mike Omotosho Foundation is an initiative designed to foster a network of youth leaders with global mindset for socio-economic impact.

Delta State enrolls over 30,000 farmers for CBN’s Anchor Borrowers scheme

Delta State Government has registered over 30,000 farmers for the Central Bank’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Austin Chikezie, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Asaba, said over 30,000 farmers registered spread across the selected enterprises of Cassava, Oil Palm, Rice and Fisheries.

Chikezie explained that the CBN Anchor Borrowers scheme would be used as a financial model for small holder farmers in Oil Palm, Rice, Cassava and Fish.

According to the Commissioner, “through the scheme, qualified commodity out growers are assisted to identify an anchor firm (off taker or Processor) and supported with loan at nine per cent interest rate to increase their farm holdings in the state’’.

He also said high quality inputs and technical assistance would be provided for farmers.

Chikezie disclosed that the state government had commenced the raising of 220, 000 improved oil palm seedlings for distribution to 250 farmers for cultivation on 500 hectares of Oil palm plantations.

He said five mini-oil mills have been fabricated and ready for distribution to farmers, adding that the oil palm programme will create 100 direct jobs and over 300 indirect jobs in the state. He also spoke on rice production.

“In rice production, plans are on to ensure that rice cultivated in the state meets international standards, even as the state government has approved N51 million to boost its production by ensuring all season farming”, he said.

Amnesty Office to establish 10,000 farms, employ 40,000 workers

The Presidential Amnesty Programme Office has disclosed plans to establish 10,000 farms with revenue generation capacity of N58billion annually under its agricultural programme for 2017.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, the co-ordinator of the programme, Paul Boroh, the initiative was to train ex-agitators while providing employment and enriching the economy.

According to Boroh, “the impact of this initiative on the economy is that if each of the 10,000 ex-agitators are gainfully trained, they may generate N240 million yearly which will amount to N240 billion”.

The Amnesty boss also said if 10,000 ex-agitators are successfully trained to be farm owners, they can employ 40,000 farm workers and a logistics Processing Value Chain of 30,000 jobs across the Niger Delta.

“While the 40,000 farm workers will in return also generate N600,000 each which is N24 billion, while Logistics/Processing will yield N360,000 for 30,000 workers yearly which will amount to N14.8 billion”, Boroh said.

While commenting on the benefits of agriculture in providing employment opportunities, he said the initiative by Presidential Amnesty Office was geared toward ensuring that people of the Niger Delta region earned a living rather than beg for it.

“The Niger Delta people are committed to exploring the agricultural potential of this nation to its maximum advantage”, he added.

Boroh, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta affairs, noted that present administration was committed to laying a solid economic foundation for the future through mechanised farming.

EU sets new rules for marketing fruit

The European Commission (EU) has proposed a set of new rules to modernize and harmonize the production and marketing chain for fruit propagating material and fruit plants, a statement on its website shows.

The law which applies as of 1, January 2017, provide for a harmonized certification scheme that reflects the approach of a majority of EU Member States and the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO).

”The harmonized certification scheme sets out minimum requirements concerning the health, identity, quality, and suitability of fruit propagating material and plants intended for production of fruit trees and fruits. 

This will provide a level playing field for producers and clear and transparent information for buyers” it reads

The statement reveals that the new the fruit sector represents 5.9 % of the total output value of the European agricultural industry.

”Additional harmonized rules for the registration of plant varieties along with the publication of an EU register of varieties of fruit plants will improve trace-ability and promote the dissemination of information regarding the varieties that are placed on the market.” it added

The new rules will stimulate EU’s single market in this sector, strengthen the export of high quality products, and allow the consumers to make informed choices.

FG to construct 360 dams, Lakes to boost irrigation farming

The Federal Government has disclosed plans to construct about 360 lakes and dams across the 36 states of the federation to enhance irrigation farming.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh disclosed this while discussing some of the 2017 plans to boost agriculture in the country. He also said the government would also distribute fertilisers and chemicals to farmers to aid the dry season cultivation.

“This year, we will work on dams, we are also going to start improving the breed of cows to improve the quality of meat, milk and cut down grazing and conflicts between herdsmen and farmers”, he informed.

Lamenting the neglect of dams in certain states, Ogbeh noted that Kano State had no fewer than 23 un-utilized dams, Oyo – 23, Ogun – 12 dams while Imo had many moribund lakes and dams, which would be cleaned up and utilized in 2017. The Federal Government would be constructing 10 lakes and dams in each of the 36 states of the federation.

Speaking further on the proposed plans for 2017, he highlighted other agricultural projects for the year such as improvement of cattle breeds, establishment of cattle colonies in states, procurement of more rice mills for distribution to communities, vegetable oil mills, tractors and improved seeds.

“We are looking at building cattle colonies in the states that are willing to give us land to confine cows in one place. We will also prioritize processing of cassava leaves, maize tusk, groundnut shells for feeding cows and slowly persuade the Fulani herdsmen to stop roaming their cows,’’ the Minister said.

He also said cashew processing factories would also be established in the country to facilitate exportation of cashew to other countries, while noting that the implementation of the plans which had been included in the 2017 budget would commence as soon as funds were disbursed.

KANO PRODUCES 1.6M TONS OF RICE IN 2016

Farmers in Kano state have produced 1,551,720 tons of rice in 2016 as against the 692,481 tons produced in 2015, the state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said.

Ganduje announced this at Kano Seed Processing Centre, Kadawa in Garun Malam local government area during an interacting session with farmers on loan recovery of the Central Bank of Nigeria/Bank of Agriculture/Kano state Rice Anchor-Borrowers Programme.

The governor said the state has recorded an increase of 95.2 tons and that might not be unconnected with the state government’s renewed interest in agriculture, as part of efforts to diversify the local economy.

He said: “Wheat production in the state increased from 9, 495, 024 tons in 2015 to 17, 717, 000 tons in 2016, showing a swell of 84 percent.”

He revealed that the bumper harvest recorded last year in Kano showed a significant increase in the production of other commodities like maize, millet, groundnut and cow peas, expressing that with the government’s commitment, barring unanticipated developments, the output would be multiplied this year.

On impediments to the farmers’ productivity, the governor said: “I have noticed that there are two major issues in Anchor-Borrower Programme. Farmers are complaining that they are not getting the assistance at the time they need it, and that constituted a major problem. Secondly, those who are involved in the scheme (CBN and BOA) are complaining that farmers are not paying back what has been given to them”.

Ganduje therefore, promised that these issues as well as that of availability of inputs would be addressed, as government and the banks involved, would ensure that farmers get appropriate assistance and other intervention in time.

He urged beneficiaries of the CBN/BOA/Kano state Rice Anchor-Borrowers Programme to ensure that they repay the loan given them accordingly since it is a revolving facility that will pave way for other farmers to benefit, pointing out the state is poised to increase its rice production to about half of the country’s rice requirement this year.

He maintained that his administration would concentrate more on agriculture this year to ensure multiplication of farmers output, pointing out that the administration recognizes the fact that it must work hard to improve capacity of farmers and address the many factors that contribute to their minimal productivity.

“Economic realities have shown that Nigeria’s future prosperity depends on investment in our farmers, to enable them become well prepared to revamp food productivity as oil money is no longer coming in as usual”, the governor asserted.

Earlier, the representative of Central Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji AbdulKadir Ahmad said the guarantee given by the state government was behind the success of the programme, highlighting that N960 million was allocated to Kano farmers and each got N367, 000 worth of loan, in terms of seedlings, pesticides, allied agricultural inputs and cash.

The Chairman, Kano Anchor Borrower Recovery Team, Prof. Mahmud Ibrahim Daneji clarified that about 5,540 farmers benefited from the programme and some have started paying back with farm produce, as agreed between the stakeholders, urging others to expedite repayment to avoid legal action against them.