By Abdallah el-Kurebe “Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world, producing about 40 million tons annually. It is one of the richest fermentable substances for the production of crude alcohol/ethanol.” – Foraminifera Market Research Ethanol is also produced from cassava and is used as fuel, alcoholic beverages, perfumes, cosmetics, medicaments, etc. Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava but the nation’s annual local demand of ethanol is between 300 and 400 million litres. The country only meets up with three percent of total annual demand. The balance of 97% is presently met through importation, requiring a whooping…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
L-R: Prof. Boniface, Dr. Yarama & Prof. Ishiyaku By Abdallah el-Kurebe As more African countries join the Agric Biotech community and Nigeria prepares to commercialise the Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) Cowpea, the national agricultural research system (NARS) has certified the crop as safe for human consumption. Addressing journalists on the Cowpea trial field in Kano Thursday, the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), which is the coordinating agency for agricultural research in the country said that after eight years of research, the council was proud to present the “first home-grown genetically modified crop to Nigerians,” a product that had “passed all necessary scientific…
Ogbidi Patricia Ogbidi is an architect who appreciates the value of designing structures that last. In this interview, she brings that same passion for practical design and functional construction into multi-level marketing to address the basic issue of man – food and nutrition. What exactly is network marketing, and what makes it tick? Network marketing has been around in various forms since the beginning of the last century. The basic idea is simple as it is brilliant: Instead of spending huge sum of money on all sort of professional agencies and marketing channels to promote products or services, why…
By Abdallah el-Kurebe The African Biosafety Network of Expertise (ABNE), an arm of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has launched the African Biosafety Communication Network. The Network, launched on 18 July, 2017 in Entebbe during the Africa Ag-biotech and Biosafety Communication (ABBC) symposium, is aimed to optimise the biosafety communication sector across the continent. The launch of the Network was chaired by the Director of NEPAD Agency’s West Africa Regional Office, Dr Jeremy Ouedraogo and co-chaired by the Chairman of the Uganda National Biosafety Committee, Dr. Charles Mugoya. Othes were Dr Theresa Ssengoba from the Uganda National Council…
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By Kwesi Atta-Krah Introduction The year 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of IITA. Established in 1967, IITA has carved for itself a distinct niche in the field of research for food and nutritional security in Africa and beyond. This 50th anniversary creates an opportunity to reflect on the past and showcase the success and contributions of IITA’s research-for-development work in the continent. It is also an occasion to celebrate the strong collaboration and cooperation with a host of partners, stakeholders, donors, and farmers. That however is not where the celebration ends. We aim to celebrate both our…
Farmers in Sokoto were yesterday introduced to improved varieties of groundnut at a seed fair that took place in Tambuwal, Tambuwal local government of the state. Provided in collaboration with the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the SAMnuts 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 improved varieties are resistant to aflatoxin and draught. The Programme Manager of Sokoto Agricultural Development Project, (SADP), Abubakar Malami, represented by the Director of Agricultural Services, Malami Magaji said that the improved varieties would boost groundnut production. “The improved varieties will boost production because it is resistant to aflatoxin and draught,” he…
The Ago Owu research station is located in Ayedade Local Government Area, Osun state, and will primarily serve as a research and training facility that will backstop the state’s agricultural programs and offer training support to the youth OSHOGBO, Nigeria, June 12, 2017/ — As the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (www.IITA.org) marks its 50th anniversary, the Institute today inaugurated a new research station in Ago-Owu in Osun state, Nigeria, as part of efforts to expand its research agenda and create impact at farm level. The Ago-Owu research station is located in Ayedade Local Government Area, Osun state, and will…
Oshogbo— As the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) marks its 50th anniversary, the Institute today inaugurated a new research station in Ago-Owu in Osun state, Nigeria, as part of efforts to expand its research agenda and create impact at farm level. The Ago Owu research station is located in Ayedade Local Government Area, Osun state, and will primarily serve as a research and training facility that will backstop the state’s agricultural programs and offer training support to the youth in the area in particular and Nigeria in general. In 2015, Governor Rauf Aregbesola donated a piece of land measuring about 205.5…
Family Empowerment & Youth Orientation Programne (FEYREP), the pet project of the office of Akwa Ibom First Lady partnered with Africa Farming Project (AFP) on women and youth empowerment in the state. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos State on the WAIPlAS Agribusiness Expo in Uyo, the National Coordinator of AFP, Mr. Bright Isaac Okwu, said that the event was designed to bring various aquaculture, livestock and agro allied stakeholders to show their knowledge to the benefit of the people. He added that farmers, agencies, institutions, governments, producers, processors, manufacturers, marketers, distributors, associations together from all West…