Agro Hub Nigeria

Prospective Agribusiness Investors in Nigeria are increasingly seeking investment opportunities in Wheat In Nigeria and its value chain. Wheat is a specie of cereal grasses of the genus Triticum (family Poaceae) and their edible grains. Wheat is one of the oldest and most important of the cereal crops. The part of the country that supports wheat production In Nigeria is majorly the Northern. These include: Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Yobe, Kaduna, Borno, Adamawa, Jigawa and Gombe. Production Statistic: Nigeria’s annual production rate of wheat is about 400,000 metric tonnes {MT}Nigeria. Consumption Statistics: Nigeria consumes about 4.2 – 4.7 million Metric Tonnes of wheat annually. Yield per Hectare: The yield per hectare of wheat under good practice in Nigeria is currently about 2 – 2.5 MT per hectare and up to 4MT per hectare for new improved variety. Local Pricing: Locally the price of wheat in Nigeria currently is about ₦20,000 – ...

Maize is a cereal crop that is grown widely throughoutNigeria. It is a major source of calories. Worldwide production of maize is about 785 million tons/annum, with the largest producer, the United States, producing 42%. Africa produces 6.5% and the largest African producer is Nigeria with nearly 8 million tons/annum. SOURCING: The crop is grown in most states in Nigeria including: Adamawa, Bauchi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Sokoto, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, Ogun, Osun and Oyo states. PRODUCTION STATISTICS: National production of maize is 8 million tons/annum, out of which about 40% is consumed fresh with less than 200,000 tons being available for industrial utilization. CONSUMPTION STATISTICS: The annual demand for maize in Nigeria is currently put at about 7 million MT. MARKET DRIVEN BY: The high demand and use of maize in the livestock feed industry and its high demand for local consumption. MARKET PROSPECT: Industries Local markets Supermarkets International ...

United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington has endorsed Abakaliki rice as one of the best brands in the world.The Ambassador who paid a visit to AbakalikiRice mills in Ebonyi state had commended the efforts of the state government on the level and quality of production while also encouraging the good work.”Your rice is the best anywhere in the world and we commend the governor for putting his government to work in Ebonyi state”, he said.Symington however called for sustained developmental efforts in the state to promote greater Agricultural and mining activities.“The first critical step involves upgrading economic fortune of the state and also setting up opportunities in the area that would welcome investors to the place thereby making it possible for investment” he noted.He also advised the government to sustain the current peace and security in the state as no meaningful development can flourish ina rancour environment.The Governor of Ebonyi state, D...

Nigeria’s Federal Universities of Agriculture have been returned from the supervision of the Ministry of Education to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Minister of Agriculture and Rural development – Chief Audu Ogbeh who made the disclosure at a recent stakeholders meeting with Vice Chancellors and Governing Boards of the universities in Abuja, said returning the universities to their original supervisory ministry was aimed at refocusing the institutions to fulfil their core mandates. Describing the move as one informed by sound reasoning and logic, the minster stated that the universities are expected to train Nigerian youths in agriculture, help to move agriculture forward and proffer solutions to the challenges faced in the sector especially in the area of research. Chief Ogbeh regretted the long departure of the universities from agricultural disciplines to non-agriculture courses such as accounting, engineering and medicine etc. which were be...

The avocado is a rather unique type of fruit. Most fruit consists primarily of carbohydrate, while avocado is high in healthy fats. Numerous studies show that it has powerful beneficial effects on health. Here are 12 health benefits of avocado, that are supported by scientific research. 1. Avocado is Incredibly Nutritious What we refer to as “avocado” is the fruit of the avocado tree, called Persea americana . This fruit is prized for its high nutrient value and is added to all sorts of dishes due to its good flavor and rich texture. It is the main ingredient in guacamole . These days, the avocado has become an incredibly popular food among health conscious individuals. It is often referred to as a superfood… which is not surprising given its health properties . There are many kinds of avocados, and the shape (from pear-shaped to round) and color (from green to black) can vary between them. They can also weig...

The federal government of Nigeria has disclosed plans to stop importation of rice by 2018. The minister of agriculture and rural development, audu ogbeh made it known that the Federal Government targets at generating seven million tonnes of rice to fulfill the country's demand. “i suppose we've attained the level of being considered one of the largest manufacturers of rice, even though many humans are still doubtful about that. So, for people who say it isn't always true, i assume they want to take another appearance,” he expressed. He stated that Nigeria has gotten to the level in which it would not depend on different countries for rice production having located rice plantations in different international locations. “i've been in Vietnam , the same kind of rice plantation you spot there is what you spot in Nigeria ”, he said. He but cited that there has been need to enhance the milling ability to beautify production. “the simplest factor we need to...

1. Garlic Contains a Compound Called Allicin, Which Has Potent Medicinal Properties Garlic is a plant in the Allium (onion) family. It is closely related to onions, shallots and leeks. It grows in many parts of the world and is a popular ingredient in cooking due to its strong smell and delicious taste. However, throughout ancient history, the main use of garlic was for its health and medicinal properties . The entire “head” is called a garlic bulb, while each segment is called a clove. There are about 10-20 cloves in a single bulb, give or take. We now know that most of the health effects are caused by one of the sulfur compounds formed when a garlic clove is chopped, crushed or chewed. This compound is known as allicin , and is also responsible for the distinct garlic smell. Allicin enters the body from the digestive tract and travels all over the body, where it exerts its potent biological effects (which we’ll get to in a bit). 2. Garlic Is Highly Nutritio...

There are signs that the European Union is considering reversing its ban on Nigeria's agricultural produce as revealed by the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service .The Coordinating Director of the agency, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, gave the hint in Lagos at the opening of a two-day training workshop on plant health inspection and certification of vegetables for exporters and farmers. Isegbe revealed  that the EU had promised to reverse the ban if necessary measures were put in place before 2019.He lamented that the European Union ban on Nigeria’s beans had a crippling  effect on the economy, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to avoid such rejection of the Nation’s agricultural commodities in the future.According to him “We have had issues in the past concerning beans where the European Union suspended Nigeria for three years for beans export. That is not good for us because it means that all thefarmers who are producing beans can no more export the quantity that...

Cassava is one of the most cultivated crops in Nigeria. One of its by product:Garri is one of the most consumed food in the country.   Ways to maximize cassava production include: - Cultivating improved varieties of cassava: Most cassava farmers use varieties which which are low yielding,  very susceptible to pest and diseases and also mature late. There would be increase in production if farmers would adopt improved varieties which are resistant to most diseases, high yielding and mature early. However  farmers should choose improved varieties which are adaptable to the farming environment, for example research has shown that varieties such as TMS8082, TME419, IMO BEST all do well in Imo state. Other improved varieties include NR8082,NR8083,TMS30572 etc. - SPACING : spacing is another factor that contribute to cassava production, while some farmers under use the land some also congest a lot of cassava in a small area of land. The ideal spacing is 1m x 1m by 10cm d...

The founder, Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has called on Nigerian leaders to see agriculture as the surest way out of the current economic recession the country 8s going through. He condemned the abandonment of Agriculture after the discovery of oil and said that the agriculture would create a lot of jobs and bussiness opportunities in the country. Afe Babalola who made the statement in Ado-Ekiti recently stressed that, ‘for Nigeria to overcome the present economic problems, we must add business to agriculture. We need to develop our own technology, improve our own farming practice, innovate, invent and create massive and robust markets for our unique African agricultural products’. “Before the advent of oil, Nigeria was self-sufficient in many things. We made good money from agricultural products. Our Naira was stronger than the British pound and the American Dollar. But after the oil discovery in Oloibiri in 1956, we abandoned that all-important income ea...

With an estimated income of more than $100 billionannually, agriculture remains Africa’s largest economic sector. Agricultural production in Africa continues to increase graduallyand is almost at par with South America. However, as Africans become more tech savvy, innovationsare on the rise as technology experts turn their attention to creating mobile solutions for the modern farmer. Analysis have shown that by 2025 half of Africa’s population will have internet access with about 360 million smartphones on the continent. Also based on their estimation, internet technology could increase annual agricultural productivity in Africa by $3 billion per annum.Throughout the continent, farmers, NGOs and scientists are developing solutions to boost agriculture and make the business of farming less labour intensive. Here are some of theapps that seek to solve these problems, while also changing the face of agriculture within Africa. 1.i-cow Created by a Kenyan farmer, this SMSand voi...

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, has disclosed the plans to boost local production of fish species in an attempt to reduce the huge importation of the product into the country and also to conserve foreign exchange in the fishery sector. He made this known during an interactive session with the Management of Triton Group, one of the leading Stakeholders in Nigeria’s fishery sector, during their courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development head office in Abuja. Ogbeh said that a whooping $700 million (about N210 billion) is spent annually on the importation of fish and  it is no longer sustainable for the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari to continue to spend such amount on fish imports at this period when the Nigerian economy had slipped into recession. The Minister stated that more funds would be provided to research institutes to scale up research work into the local production of other species...

There is an Igbo proverb that says, ‘a man needs to consider the size of his anus before swallowing udala seed’. Prior to the discovery of oil in Nigeria, unemployment was not a major macroeconomic threat to the Country as anyone who was agile had no reason to be idle . Food was sufficient and youths were gainfully employed. After the oil boom comes an era plagued with decline in Agriculture's share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as everyone abandoned farming in order to benefit from the national cake. However, while Nigeria as a Nation was busy relishing the crude oil largess, she failed to take into cognizance the end results and ripple effects of oil on the other sectors of the economy. This was the Genesis of unemployment in Nigeria. The National Bureau of Statistics recently reported that 58.3 percent of Nigerians in the labour force, aged 15‐24 were either unemployed or underemployed in the second quarter of 2016, compared to 56.1 percent in the first quarter....

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has decried the hike in the price of fertilisers by suppliers and other middlemen in the distribution chain. The apex farmers’ body claimed  the subsidy paid by the government does not reflect on the price being sold to the final buyer, noting that the price is being hiked by individuals while farmers are at the receiving end. AFAN, speaking through its National President, Arc. Kabir Ibrahim said it is high time the Federal Government took actions against suppliers who have inflated the price of the commodity, hence farmers encountering difficulties accessing and purchasing it. He also called for proper monitoring of government policies and activities to avoid bottlenecks and sharp practices at all levels. Arc. Ibrahim while speaking during the AFAN National Executive Committee meeting held in Abuja identified the major role the organisation played to revive the Nation’s economy through the agricultural sect...

Maize or corn is the third important cereal cash crop in India after wheat and rice. It is a Kharif crop and needs a generous rainfall for its growth. The optimum temperature for growth of maize is 22-30 degree Celsius but it can also tolerate temperature up to 35 degree Celsius. Corn has many health benefits. It - •    cuts the risk of heart diseases as it helps in reducing bad cholesterol in our body •    contains a lot of fibre and thus improves digestion •    keeps eyes healthy •    helps control Alzheimer’s disease •    helps fight cancer and makes our immune system strong •    keeps our skin and hair healthy A large part of corn produced is consumed by poultry. Corn flour, baby corn, sweet corn and pop corn are various forms in which m...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has guaranteed that the agricultural and manufacturing sectors will enjoy single digit interest rates, this  it believes would fast track lending of a reserved special intervention fund set aside for the sectors. The CBN has set aside N235 billion and N750 billion as intervention funds for the manufacturing and agricultural sectors respectively, which it describes as pivotal in the  revitalization of the nation’s recessing  economy. The CBN Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, made this known in Abuja, while addressing newsmen on the outcome of Bankers’ Committee meeting. She also disclosed  the joint decision by CBN and Bankers’ Committee to increase limit of banks’ FOREX sale to Bureaux De Change (BDCs) to $50,000 from $30,000 it was two weeks ago. Mrs Tokunbo Martins was accompanied to the briefing Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Kennedy Uzoka, Zenith Bank Group M...

About 75,000 wheat farmers under the umbrella of  Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN) in Kano State are to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) facilitated borrowers scheme. The registration of farmers for this programme has commenced and beneficiaries are expected to use the loan to cultivate the commodity throughout this year’s dry season. Speaking about the registration of farmers ahead of the programme, the Kano State chairman of WFAN, Alhaji Faruk Rabi’u said the decision to commence the registration was borne out of the  Association’s effort to process the loan early, to enable farmers prepare before the dry season. According to the WFAN chairman, farmers are required to open an account with one of the commercial banks as one of the conditions before accessing the loan. “We want to make sure that all registered farmers fulfill the conditions for accessing the loan before the dry season farming commences,” he said....

About 75,000 wheat farmers under the umbrella of  Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN) in Kano State are to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) facilitated borrowers scheme. The registration of farmers for this programme has commenced and beneficiaries are expected to use the loan to cultivate the commodity throughout this year’s dry season. Speaking about the registration of farmers ahead of the programme, the Kano State chairman of WFAN, Alhaji Faruk Rabi’u said the decision to commence the registration was borne out of the  Association’s effort to process the loan early, to enable farmers prepare before the dry season. According to the WFAN chairman, farmers are required to open an account with one of the commercial banks as one of the conditions before accessing the loan. “We want to make sure that all registered farmers fulfill the conditions for accessing the loan before the dry season farming commences,” he said....

The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh has said that The Green Alternative Policy roadmap will help to assemble agro information, harness intelligence & capacity and make knowledge available to farmers for practical implementation. The Minister said this in Abuja at the official launch and public presentation of the Green Alternative. He cited that it is a policy document that would exploit  the sector’s potential for economic development. Identifying the policy as central to the development of the agricultural sector, Ogbeh said it is an attempt to build on a previous foundation and avoid policy somersault. He added that, “we are not throwing old policies overboard but expanding, deepening and adjusting policies where necessary.” The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, speaking at the launch, said the problem has never been with the lack of policy but implementation. He thereby requested for the full participation of everyone as the new policy ...