Firm to launch TV programme

Verdure Vision Limited, publisher of AgroNigeria Magazine, is set to launch its television programme – Agro On TV.

According to the Chief Executive/Editor-in-Chief of AgroNigeria, Richard-Mark Mbaram,  Agro On TV will be campaigning for increased provision of water, energy and road linkage for agricultural use, especially for smallholder farmers.

If these were achieved, he  said, there would be higher returns on agricultural investment, and an attendant positive ripple effect on the Nigerian economy will be felt within a few months.

He said Agro On TV would feature four segments: “The Pulse”; which chronicles news in the agricultural sector, “Talk Time”; which hosts stakeholders in the agric sector to discuss issues in the sector; “Street Vibes”, which highlights the experiences, opinions and expectations of people on issues relating to agriculture and “Agro Style”; which features entertainment gist in agriculture.

Of importance is Agro Style, a media strategy deployed to appeal to the younger generation and sustain their attention in agro-practice.

He said attempts had been made in the past to involve the youth in agriculture, but to no avail, hence the introduction of the entertainment segment, which will draw the attention of youths to the sector.

Mbaram added: “Agro On TV is fully funded by internal resources. It is our contribution to Nigeria; to let everybody know that the time to act on full participation in agriculture is now. The younger generation and the employers of labour should see agriculture as a necessity. Agriculture is a must. If practiced right, it would solve the social and economic problems facing the country.”

Source: The Nation

32 Nigerian Social Innovators and Entrepreneurs, Inducted As Ashoka Changemakers Scholars

Lagos, Nigeria: Inducted Ashoka Changemakers Scholars

July 2^nd, 2016 was a happy day to remember at the NECA House, BDA Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos-Nigeria as 32 indigenous social innovators and entrepreneurs were inducted as Ashoka Changemakers Scholars, a Future Forward initiative, in partnership with the Ashoka and MasterCard Foundation, after they underwent an extensive online course and video sessions on the Future of Work in Africa: Innovations in Youth Employment.

Future Forward initiative Changemakers course is targeted at self-motivated leaders, social innovators and entrepreneurs in Africa, who are using their skills to solve social problems, with a view to broaden their horizons, with regards to global best practices, providing them with networking opportunities and further equip them with the requisite skills, needed to leapfrog their chosen passion and careers.

According to the Ashoka Changemakers Scholars Coordinator in Nigeria and CEO of Business without Boundaries (BwB), Olutope Olatilewa Egbetokun popularly known as Topsie, “the Ashoka Changemakers are social innovators and entrepreneurs who are working vigorously to reduce unemployment in all sectors of the Nigerian economy. Their aim is to change the landscape of policies, leadership, governance and youth engagement in creating a better Nigeria project and Africa enterprise”. She further revealed “32 Nigerian Ashoka Changemakers scholars were among a total of 175 selected for the course, from nearly 400 applications representing over 45 countries in Africa.” With a welcome and orientation session which began on Monday, April 25^th, scholars from across the continent regularly interacted with themselves and were interfaced with invited guest experts during live video sessions, who shared their experiences using innovative solutions to solve Africa’s growing unemployment challenges.

During a panel discussion, on the topic “Holistic and Sustainable Project for the Nigerian Youth: Opportunities, Solutions and Tools, panelist Adekoya Rasak a “thisabled” visually impaired web solution provider, on-air personality, writer of an award winning book “Brand Your Blindness” and CEO of 360 Connect Communication opined that life is not a bed of roses. People must display their ability and value proposition, to get what they want from other people. He said “people are more likely to listen to you based on your demonstrated ability, over your professed ability”.

Another panelist, Belema Ogbuige, Executive Director, Centre for Information and Development added that “life is an exchange of value, whereby to receive, you have to be ready to give”. Other members of the panel shared their thoughts and how they have been using their skills and social enterprises to solve social problems in Nigeria.

Amongst the distinguished invited guests to the Future Forward initiative Ecosystem Nigeria, was an Ashoka Fellow Mogaji aka African Farmer, CEO of X-ray Farms who shared his good and bad experiences as a farmer and how he was able to weather the storm to become a profitable and inspiring farmer. He seized the opportunity to encourage Nigerian youth, to see a future in agriculture, as it is one of the critical means of unlocking the economic potentials of Nigeria and its ability to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth population. He advised the youth, to see agriculture as a business and not a dirty profession.

Although, many of the scholars had not met prior to the induction ceremony, except for the virtual interactions and exchange of ideas on the possible solution to youth “waithood” and unemployment in Africa, through the Ashoka Changemakers course online platform, scholars bonded and interacted like they have known each other for decades. This is how people of like-minds and passion can easily work together, regardless of race, color or socioeconomic status, to solve common problems.

Scholars who made it to the grand style ceremony includes the CEO of Yada Inc., Oludare Akinlaja; Director of Youth Arise Network Inc (YANI), Olanrewaju O Lewis; Team Lead of Euidem I.T Solutions, Temitayo Adegoke; CEO/Psychiatrist-in-Chief of Pinnacle Medical Services Limited, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri;  Olaleru Ibikunle Funso of the National Roots Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State; CEO of Stell-Row Ventures, Stella Ozemoya; the Founder of Intuivar Limited/Africa, Henry Akwubu; National Coordinator of Youth As Gender Initiative (YAGI), Alabi Moses and a host of other spectacular social innovators. Also present at the Lagos event was Gabila Franklin Neba, an Ashoka Changemakers Scholar from Cameroon.

Other highlights of the event include but not limited to networking, partnership development, group photograph, red carpet shoot etc. 

Written by Adeniyi Philip Ayoola, an Ashoka Changemakers Scholar.

Twitter @Ayo116

Nigeria: Farmers to establish bank worth N60bn

Vegetable farmers

Mr Femi Coker, National President, National Farmers Association of Nigeria said on Tuesday in Abuja that the association would soon establish Farmers’ Bank worth N60 billion to boost agriculture.

Coker, who was represented by NAFAN Special Adviser, Mr Dapo Adesola, made this known at the ongoing National Insurance Conference (NIC) in Abuja.

He said that the proposed bank will be the first of its kind in the country.

Coker said that inadequate funding on agriculture appears to have aggravated and deepened poverty in the country.“Despite the fact that the country has spent billions of Naira on agricultural development without corresponding development.

“An assessment of the plans and budgets revealed there was no corresponding evidence that huge sums were spent on agriculture.

“Even with the two per cent budgetary allocation, the fund was used in servicing the numerous agricultural bureaucracies at the Federal and state levels,” he said.

The AFAN President said that the bank would be owned by registered farmers in the country as a remedy to the failure of government and financial institutions support for farmers.

Coker said that bank would partner Rabo Bank in Netherlands to enhance the country’s farmers with mechanisation.

He said that the association would train and empower 100,000 Nigerian youths to become farming entrepreneurs.

Speaking on insurance as a vehicle for Agricultural development, Coker said the insurance industry is not giving farmers the necessary support for agricultural development.

He urged the insurance practitioners to partner with farmers so that more farmers could purchase agricultural insurance policies.

“There are over 50,000 farmers in the country, but less than one per cent are insurance compliance,’’ Coker said.

However, he pleaded with insurance companies to support farmers with Insurance Bond guarantee to enable the farmers access quick and cheap loans.

The theme of the conference is: “Expanding National Resources and Infrastructure in Challenging Times.

NAN

80 killed: Herdsmen killing farmers in Benue state, season film continua By Adeniyi Philip Ayoola

Photo Credit: Google

80 killed: Herdsmen killing farmers in Benue state, season film continua?

By Adeniyi Philip Ayoola

Over 80 Benue state farmers and villagers were attacked and killed in their prime by herdsmen over grazing rights, in the last two weeks.
In February 2016 alone, hundreds of people were said to have been killed and about 1,000 homes destroyed in the Agatu area of Benue in a wave of attacks blamed on the herdsmen.

Amongst those slaughtered like cows were pregnant women, children, young and the old. To many Nigerians, this is not a news, as the nefarious activities of these assailants have continued unabated, with somewhat approval from government at all levels.

To many, it has become like a carnival, or season film, depending on the angle you are. Unfortunately, no government media aid has made a public statement over this and no assurances of the farmers safety. The voices of civil society organizations, media outfits and human rights activists have suddenly gone cold, making it look like your life does not matter, so long you're "just" a village farmer.

Aside the fear of post-harvest losses by farmers and unfavorable weather condition attributed to climate change, the extra cost on security in a country where cost of production continues to rise, is not the best for a new business, seeking to survive, let alone break-even.

As a farmer, you're contended with the choice and fear of what, how, where, when and for whom to plant or breed, your fears are "biscuits" like (meagre) compared to what you feel when you hear these evil nomads are coming your way. They have successfully attacked Ogun state, Kogi State, Oyo State, Enugu state, Plateau State to mention just a few, leaving marks of sorrows, tears and blood, according to Fela Anikulapo Kuti. They have threatened to attack more villages and towns, as they continue to grow wings, with some moral supports from their "ogas at the top".

Recently, a former presidential aspirant and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) was kidnapped on his farm by the herdsmen, like an action movie, state's apparatus was set in motion to ensure his timely release. Of course, he was rescued, and not without apprehending the culprits. Why did he enjoy such a swift intervention? Your guess is as good as mine.

For a growing population like that of Nigeria, which according to United Nations is estimated to surpass United States 300 million population by 2050, meeting the needs of the about 200 million current population has been a herculean task for passionate farmers and agribusiness owners, as more than 45% of our locally produced foods gets spoilt before they hit the markets. Some of the reasons for this huge loss include, lack of storage facilities, inaccessible rural roads, among others. Our inability to meet our local food demands, in the right shape and quality, has contributed to the over 70% of our foods, including toothpicks being imported from Asia, Europe and America, making our food import bill compete with Mount Kilimanjaro.

Food insecurity remains a big threat as the few who have remained in the rural communities are constantly slained like the Biblical Abel and their innocent blood used to appease the earth. How long shall this continue in a country governed by law and order? Apart from the stress (like other professions) attributed to the farming profession, the fear of being killed has discouraged agribusiness investments and the youth, from patronizing our villages where the land resource is in abundance.

As a people with blood flowing in our veins, we all have the same needs, though our wants differ. A common need between the rich, poor, young and old, is food. How we want it, where we want it, from whom we want it, is what makes the difference.

With a human necessity like food being threatened daily by uncontrolled elements in our society, who continues to act like "zombies", without an iota of respect for the sanctity of human lives, the government, civil society organizations, human rights activities and other stakeholders, including security forces must speak against these evil men and increase their intelligence surveillance, to nip their threats before it becomes a global emergency.

From experience, the impact of one well planned single invasion by the herdsmen, literarily turns the community into a shadow of itself, leaving a teary and sorrowful taste on the faces and tongues of the children who are orphaned due to the untimely death of their parents and breadwinners. The future of these kids and widows remain bleak, as no social security is provided for them, though the responsibility of protecting their lives and properties was that of the government.

#BenueLivesMatter
#BenueLivesMatter
#BenueLivesMatter

Twitter: @ayo116 @IGAfrica
Email: Ayoola116@gmail.com
See more: http://adeniyiayoola.blogspot.com/2016/07/80-killed-herdsmen-killing-farmers-in.html?m=1

80 killed: Herdsmen killing farmers in Benue state, season film continua By Adeniyi Philip Ayoola

Photo Credit: Google

Over 80 Benue state farmers and villagers were attacked and killed in their prime by herdsmen over grazing rights, in the last two weeks.
In February 2016 alone, hundreds of people were said to have been killed and about 1,000 homes destroyed in the Agatu area of Benue in a wave of attacks blamed on the herdsmen.

Amongst those slaughtered like cows were pregnant women, children, young and the old. To many Nigerians, this is not a news, as the nefarious activities of these assailants have continued unabated, with somewhat approval from government at all levels.

To many, it has become like a carnival, or season film, depending on the angle you are. Unfortunately, no government media aid has made a public statement over this and no assurances of the farmers safety. The voices of civil society organizations, media outfits and human rights activists have suddenly gone cold, making it look like your life does not matter, so long you're "just" a village farmer.

Aside the fear of post-harvest losses by farmers and unfavorable weather condition attributed to climate change, the extra cost on security in a country where cost of production continues to rise, is not the best for a new business, seeking to survive, let alone break-even.

As a farmer, you're contended with the choice and fear of what, how, where, when and for whom to plant, your fears are "biscuits" like (meagre) compared to what you feel when you hear these evil nomads are coming your way. They have successfully attacked Ogun state, Kogi State, Oyo State, Enugu state, Plateau State to mention just a few, leaving a mark of sorrows, tears and blood, according to Fela Anikulapo. They have threatened to attack more villages and towns, as they continue to grow wings, with some moral supports from their "ogas at the top".

Recently, a former presidential aspirant and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) was kidnapped on his farm by the herdsmen, like an action movie, state's apparatus was set in motion to ensure his timely release. Of course, he was rescued, and not without apprehending the culprits. Why did he enjoy such a swift intervention? Your guess is as good as mine.

For a growing population like that of Nigeria, which according to United Nations is estimated to surpass United States 300 million population by 2050, meeting the needs of the about 200 million current population has been a herculean task for passionate farmers and agribusiness owners, as more than 45% of our locally produced foods gets spoilt before they hit the markets. Some of the reasons for this huge loss includes, lack of storage facilities, inaccessible rural roads, among others. Our inability to meet our local food demands, in the right shape and quality, has contributed to the over 70% of our foods, including toothpicks being imported from Asia, Europe and America, making our food import bill compete with Mount Kilimanjaro.

Food insecurity remains a big threat as the few who have remained in the rural communities are constantly slayed like the Biblical Abel and their innocent blood used to appease the earth. How long shall this continue in a country governed by law and order? Apart from the stress (like other professions) attributed to the farming profession, the fear of being killed has discouraged agribusiness investments and the youth, from patronizing our villages where the land resource is in abundance.

As a people with blood flowing in our veins, we all have the same needs, though our wants differ. A common need between the rich, poor, young and old, is food. How we want it, where we want it, from whom we want it, is what makes the difference.

With a necessity like food being threatened daily by uncontrolled elements in our society, who continues to act like "zombies", without an iota of respect for the sanctity of human lives, the government, civil society organizations, human rights activities and other stakeholders, including security forces must speak against these evil men and increase their intelligence, to nip the threats of the herdsmen before it becomes a global emergency.

From experience, the impact of one well planned single invasion by the herdsmen, literarily turns the community into a shadow of itself, leaving a teary and sorrowful taste on the faces and tongues of the children who are orphaned due to the untimely death of their parents and breadwinners. The future of these kids and widows remain bleak, as no social security is provided for them, though the responsibility of protecting their lives and properties was that of the government.

THIS YOUNG FARMER SHATTERS WHAT WE THINK OF AS SUSTAINABLE FARMING

Anita Molesworth

Despite farmers being the custodians of our land, we rarely seem to hear from them – so we asked Young Farmer of the Year Anika Molesworth to tell us what her world looks like, and what sustainable farming in Australia could entail. Be prepared to be blown away.

As soon as I left high school I caught three planes of decreasing size, and flew to a giant cattle station in northern Queensland. Unlike many 18 year old city girls, all I wanted was to be on the back of a horse trailing a few thousand cattle with a vast empty horizon ahead of me. I love the raw beauty of the extensive grazing systems. They are wild, challenging and isolated. You find great value in the most basic essentials of life – a clear stream to fill your water bottle, a smile from the only person you see that day, a gum tree to offer shade on a week-long muster. Jillarooing confirmed for me that I wanted a life in agriculture.

My parents bought our farm at the start of the decade long Millennium Drought. Not the best time to buy a farm. So our introduction to farming was a steep learning curve. It was immediately apparent how interconnected individual components of a farming system are. When the rain doesn’t come, less vegetation grows, livestock are sold at reduced weights, crop yields are not achieved, less money in the farmer’s pocket means off-farm employment is sought, and shops close in rural towns. As someone who dreams of owning my own farm one day, the drought was the impetus for me to pursue a career in how to build resilience in vulnerable farming systems to the challenges we face now, and the challenges of the future.

I find the natural world and the rhythms of life completely captivating. I am passionate about making sure that this intricate and fragile web is not jeopardised by careless human action. As the world faces unprecedented obstacles, we need people facing them head on. Not only can young bright minds help come up with the solutions, but it is the younger generation and the following generations that will be most greatly impacted by the trajectory we find ourselves on.

One of the defining challenges of our time is how to feed a growing global population while reducing our environmental footprint. By no means an easy task. Striving for sustainable agricultural systems is perhaps a broad and audacious goal, yet the need to redefine the way we produce food and fibre is undeniable. Farmers are being asked to produce more with less right now, and we cannot tackle these expectations with 20th century thinking and technology. We need to continually seek new information, new ideas, a better understanding of the world and human interaction with it.

The faces of youth in agriculture remind us we need a long-term plan. Working in agriculture is a worthwhile and rewarding career, as those involved in its improvement are making a meaningful contribution to food security, the protection of natural resources and the vibrancy of rural communities. We need to encourage young people to look past the Great Dividing Range and explore what opportunities lie in regional and rural Australia. We need those creative and critical perspectives to disrupt the status quo and find innovative pathways to feed this world.

One way in which farmers are taking climate action is through the adoption of renewable energy. Farmers have long fed the world – and now they are helping power it as well. Renewable energy uses natural resources that can be constantly replenished, and provides a winning situation for those on the land and all living beings. It provides farmers with an additional source of income and a stable source of income, a means for reducing costs, increasing self-reliance and enabling a greener production system.

The importance of renewable energy is well understood by farmers and has been used in food production systems for centuries. Using the sun to dry crops and grain is one of the oldest applications of solar energy, windmills have drawn water from depth, while harnessing the power of flowing water with waterwheels was a game-changer for early civilizations to advance.

Right across the world, communities – both rural and urban – are recognising the opportunity created by clean energy. The flourishing renewable energy sector includes:

• Solar energy
• Wind energy
• Bioenergy
• Hydropower
• Geothermal
• Tidal and wave energy

Although there is an extensive history of renewable energies used on farms, they still mainly play only a localised and modest role in energy production. For large-scale implementation of renewable energies, countries need to devise strategies to improve availability and affordability of suitable technologies – developed for local contexts and holding opportunity for scaling-up.

The great prospects for renewable energy to be embraced by agriculture are out there, and as a farmer, I am truly excited to see the expansion of clean, green production systems.

To make the most of these opportunities for farmers to do good, we need more eaters to realise the power of what’s on their plate. It’s heartening meeting farmers like Anika and our volunteers who get it. Now it’s time to start a conversation with those who haven’t. Yet.

Source: http://www.youthfoodmovement.org.au/this-young-farmer-shatters-what-we-think-of-as-sustainable-farming/

Youth should ask themselves: ‘Where is the money to be made in agriculture?’

C.D. Glin

In some African countries, such as Kenya, there have recently been concerted efforts to encourage young people to venture intoagriculture. But many youths have negative perceptions towards the sector, associating it with dirt and poverty. There are also various barriers to entry for the youth, such as lack of access to land and financing. In addition, the industry itself suffers from poor infrastructure, bad policies and weak market structures that have frustrated farmers for decades.

So is it realistic to expect young people to overcome all these hurdles? How we made it in Africa speaks to C.D. Glin, associate director for Africa at The Rockefeller Foundation, about why the narrative of youth and agribusiness needs to go beyond crop production. Below are edited excerpts.

Where are the opportunities in agribusiness for young people?

I think the entry point doesn’t always have to be in production in terms of actually tilling the land yourself. You can get involved at other points of the value chain – anything from the storage, processing, packaging or distribution. There are probably more entry-level, early-stage opportunities that can enable you to really understand what happens when crops leave the farm. It could be working at a supermarket in the dairy section or at a dairy-processing company, and then working your way back to actually owning cows.

I think the attractiveness of agriculture is going to come to the youth from beyond the farm. It is going to come from ICT, for example. Think of how to digitise the process of milk going from a farm to a store shelf, or doing actual milk transportation, or doing the marketing. We need to really expand the narrative to attract young people.

Something young people should ask themselves is, where is the money? Where is the money made in agriculture? Is it made on the production side or on the value-addition side? Is the money made on growing mangoes on the farm, or on processing those mangoes into dried fruit or juice? One kilo of fresh mangoes can sell for Ksh.100 (US$1), while one kilo of dry mangoes sells for Ksh.700 ($7). You make more money just by drying the mangoes and then selling them on the shelf, as opposed to selling them fresh on the roadside.

So if young people want to get involved in agriculture they should think about where it makes more sense to play. They should follow the money – the value addition, processing and storage part of the equation. The gap really is in value addition, especially with urbanisation and rising consumer spending.

From your observations, are young people actively getting into the industry, and which areas appear to be of interest?

It is really interesting. One area I see young people interested in is production, but not necessarily the production of cereals and grains. I don’t see young people getting excited about being maize farmers or sorghum farmers. I can tell you the success story of a guy who used to work in a bank and started growing strawberries through vertical gardening, and became a distributor to formal retailers here. So I see young people being interested in agriculture beyond cereals and grains. They are interested in horticulture and cash crops – not necessarily coffee and tea, but crops like avocado or mangoes. Higher value crops where you can see real dollar value from your level of effort.

Another area is in the ICT space. Is there an app for that? They are thinking of and building innovations around weather prediction, information sharing, disease prevalence and so forth.

But many tech start-ups targeting the agriculture sector have failed to generate real traction. Aren’t we overplaying the idea that I can build an app and manage to sell it to a 70-year-old farmer?

There have been surprising things that’ve happened in terms of technology adoption. Think of just using a phone to call the middleman. Twenty years ago you had to walk to go look for that guy.

Adoption is driven by the incentive and the value proposition. Does using this phone make my life easier and is there an economic return to the utilisation? Smallholders, whether rural or urban, are very economically rational. They don’t do things for the sake of doing. They won’t change to using a smartphone just because it is the newest thing. They don’t want to be early adopters. But if they understand that by using a certain mobile solution will save them X amount of money, that becomes an incentive to at least try. Let us not underestimate the speed and rate of change that can happen.

Think about M-Pesa – a grandmother in a rural village is transferring money without ever using paper. So let’s not underestimate the speed of change, but I agree with you, let’s also not overplay it.

Source: HowwemadeitinAfrica