Agric sector attracts N1.58tn investment –NEXIM Bank

SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 : OKECHUKWU NNODIM 1 COMMENT

   

 

 

Managing Director, NEXIM Bank, Mr. Robert Orya
| credits: Nkarenyi Ukonu

Nigeria’s agricultural sector has received $8bn (N1.576tn) worth of investment commitments between 2011 and now, the Nigerian Export Import Bank has said.

According to the bank, Nigeria also has the potential to feed the world considering the fact that the country is one of the world’s largest producers of major agricultural commodities in spite of challenges in the sector domestically.

NEXIM Bank, in a document made available to our correspondent in Abuja, stated that recent efforts to boost investment in agriculture had yielded some results.

It stated that the country recorded increase in food production by 21 million metric tonnes between 2012 and 2014, and had a decline in food import bills from $6.9bn in 2009 to $4.35bn in 2013.

The bank, in the document, which was endorsed by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roberts Orya, said Nigeria got $8bn investment commitments between 2011 and 2015; $40m investment commitment in rice production; increase in fertilizer use from 13 kilogramme per hectare to 80kg per hectare; and the number of seed companies increased from 11 to 34 between 2011 and 2014.

“There is no doubt that if the current tempo on private investment continues, Nigeria will soon return to its pride of place and be in a position to feed the world,” it added.

NEXIM noted that in spite of the numerous challenges in the agricultural sector, the country had the potential not only to be self-sufficient, but to feed the rest of the world.

According to the bank, statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation showed that in the ranking of major producing countries of the world, Nigeria is number one in the production of cassava, yam and cowpea; second in producing millet; and third in sweet potato, sorghum and groundnut production.

The FAO ranked Nigeria fourth in the production of cocoa, according to the document.

The bank stated, “Nigeria remains one of the world’s largest producers of major agricultural commodities in spite of challenges. The above indices indicate that Nigeria can feed the world if many of the critical challenges can be addressed. This will also go a long way to enhance inclusive and sustainable economic growth, leading to increased job creation and better living standards.

The document stated, “Nigeria has good weather and rich arable land. Out of total arable land of about 70 million, only about 40 per cent is cultivated. Nigeria can therefore boost current food production levels through concerted efforts to increase acreage cultivated and increased yield per hectare.

“This will require significant investment in production inputs such as machinery, improved seeds/seedlings and other farm inputs.”

To feed the world, the bank advised that Nigeria must be in a position to trade freely in the international market, stressing that beyond the challenge of production, another major challenge was poor access to foreign markets owing to quality standards and packaging.

Courtesy: Punch Online

Selfless service by a Corper in Baruten local government, Kwara

Selfless service by a Corper in Baruten local government, Kwara

A batch C Corp member named Idowu Kayode, who studied Agriculture and Animal Science at Ahmadu Bello university, Zaria, serving at Baruten local government, Kosubosu, Kwara state. According to his friend, he voluntarily did this humanitarian service to the people of Kosubosu because of the poor nutrition among the masses.

"His voluntary farm land comprises of various cash crops, vegetables and tuber crops. This project have added much value to the nutritional value of the people of Baruba. This kind of humanitarian self less service should be the core value of all corp members not looking out for national or presidential awards in return." Corp member Okere Ugonna said. See more photos after the cut...

Tips on Tomato Planting, Caring, Storage & Harvesting

Tomatoes are America’s favorite garden vegetable. (Yes, we technically eat the fruit of the tomato plant, but it's used as a vegetable in eating and cooking and, thus, usually categorized in vegetables.)

This vine plant is fairly easy to grow and will produce a bumper crop with proper care. Its uses are versatile, however, tomatoes are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases.

Planting

• If you're planting seeds (versus purchasing transplants), you'll want to start your seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last spring frost date. See our post on "Tomatoes From Seed the Easy Way."
• Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil. For northern regions, is is VERY important that your site receives at least 6 hours of sun. For souther regions, light afternoon shade will help tomatoes survive and thrive.
• Two weeks before transplanting seedlings outdoors, till soil to about 1 foot and mix in aged manure, compost, or fertilizer.
• Harden off transplants for a week before moving outdoors.
• Transplant after last spring frost when the soil is warm. See our Best Planting Dates for Transplants for your region.
• Establish stakes or cages in the soil at the time of planting. Staking keeps developing fruit off the ground, while caging let’s the plant hold itself upright. Some sort of support system is recommended, but sprawling can also produce fine crops if you have the space, and if the weather cooperates.
• Plant seedlings two feet apart.
• Pinch off a few of the lower branches on transplants, and plant the root ball deep enough so that the remaining lowest leaves are just above the surface of the soil.
• Water well to reduce shock to the roots.

Care

• Water generously for the first few days.
• Water well throughout growing season, about 2 inches per week during the summer. Keep watering consistent!
• Mulch five weeks after transplanting to retain moisture.
• To help tomatoes through periods of drought, find some flat rocks and place one next to each plant. The rocks pull up water from under the ground and keep it from evaporating into the atmosphere.
• Fertilize two weeks prior to first picking and again two weeks after first picking.
• If using stakes, prune plants by pinching off suckers so that only a couple stems are growing per stake.
• Practice crop rotation from year to year to prevent diseases that may have over wintered.

Pests

Tomatoes are susceptible to insect pests, especially tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Link to our pest & problem pages below.

• Aphids
• Flea Beetles
• Tomato Hornworm
• Whiteflies
• Blossom-End Rot
• Late Blight is a fungal disease that can strike during any part of the growing season. It will cause grey, moldy spots on leaves and fruit which later turn brown. The disease is spread and supported by persistent damp weather. This disease will overwinter, so all infected plants should be destroyed. See our blog on "Avoid Blight With the Right Tomato."
• Tobacco Mosaic Virus creates distorted leaves and causes young growth to be narrow and twisted, and the leaves become mottled with yellow. Unfortunately, infected plants should be destroyed (but don't put them in your compost pile).
• Cracking: When fruit growth is too rapid, the skin will crack. This usually occurs in uneven water or uneven moisture due to weather conditions (very rainy periods mixed with dry periods). Keep moisture levels constant with consistent watering and mulching.

Harvest/Storage

• Leave your tomatoes on the vine as long as possible. If any fall off before they appear ripe, place them in a paper bag with the stem up and store them in a cool, dark place.
• Never place tomatoes on a sunny windowsill to ripen; they may rot before they are ripe!
• The perfect tomato for picking will be firm and very red in color, regardless of size, with perhaps some yellow remaining around the stem. A ripe tomato will be only slightly soft.
• If your tomato plant still has fruit when the first hard frost threatens, pull up the entire plant and hang it upside down in the basement or garage. Pick tomatoes as they redden.
• Never refrigerate fresh tomatoes. Doing so spoils the flavor and texture that make up that garden tomato taste.
• To freeze, core fresh unblemished tomatoes and place them whole in freezer bags or containers. Seal, label, and freeze. The skins will slip off when they defrost.

See more on properly storing tomatoes and vegetables.

Recommended Varieties

Tomatoes grow in all sizes, from tiny "currant" to "cherry" to large "beefsteak." There are hundreds of varieties to suit different climates and tastes. Here are a few of our favorites:

• ‘Amish Paste’: Large paste tomatoes, good slicers.
• ‘Brandywine’: A beefsteak with perfect acid-sweet combination. Many variants are available.
• ‘Matt’s Wild Cherry’: Foolproof in any climate, cherries bear abundant fruit in high or low temps and in rain or drought.

For more about tomato varieties, see our post on "Tomato Trials: from blue to grafted; what grew this summer."

culled from http://www.almanac.com/plant/tomatoes

Worthy of Commendation!!!

Selfless service by a Corper in Baruten local government, Kwara

A batch C Corp member named Idowu Kayode, who studied Agriculture and Animal Science at Ahmadu Bello university, Zaria, serving at Baruten local government, Kosubosu, Kwara state. According to his friend, he voluntarily did this humanitarian service to the people of Kosubosu because of the poor nutrition among the masses.

"His voluntary farm land comprises of various cash crops, vegetables and tuber crops. This project have added much value to the nutritional value of the people of Baruba. This kind of humanitarian self less service should be the core value of all corp members not looking out for national or presidential awards in return." Corp member Okere Ugonna said. See more photos after the cut...

HAPPY NEW MONTH!!!