Agric & Biotech

A new report is calling on the African governments to consider expanding irrigation projects since the continent has the potential to boost agricultural productivity. Irrigation in Eritrea. Photo credit: www.treehugger.com The study that was done by the Malabo Montpellier Panel finds potential to expand irrigation across 47 million hectares in Africa to improve livelihoods and economic growth. “Helping more farmers ...

Penultimate week, an NGO went to the press with the news that the yet-to-be released genetically modified Cowpea developed by the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, will cause cancer among Nigerians. Cowpea Their conspiracy theory was targeted at discrediting the 10-year research work undertaken by scientists in one of Nigeria’s top universities. Although the faces behind the ...

A group comprising scientists and journalists, the Alliance for Science, has taken up a campaign to promote genetically modified (GM) cowpea and ensure that the product sees the light of the day in Nigeria. Beans (Cowpea) come in several shapes, sizes, colours and tastes The Nigerian government has slated June 2019 as the time limit to decide whether to allow ...

More than 10,000 small-scale farmers from Kogi State in Nigeria are to benefit from a $200 million grant under the World Bank-assisted Agro Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Support (APPEALS) project. Youths involved in farming. Photo credit: smeonline.biz Dr Abdullahi Ozomata, State Project Coordinator of APPEALS in Kogi, told disclosed on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 in Lokoja, the state capital, ...

Project Lead, Animal Genetic Resources, Agriculture Department, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Dr Ayo Popoola, has said that the Geographic Information System (GIS) is necessary for operating a functional animal genetic resources portal. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology Popoola, also the Head, National Advisory Committee on Animal Genetic Resources in Nigeria, said this in an interview with ...

The management of the University of Ilorin in Ilorin, Kwara State, said that it’s Biotechnology Centre has so far contributed 19 novel bacteria strains to the World Genomic Bank. University of Ilorin, Kwara State Prof. Matthew Kolawole, Director, Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology (IMSB), made this known in the 2018 Annual Report of Scientific Breakthroughs of the university made ...

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) says with the accreditation of biotechnology in some tertiary institutions, food security will be enhanced in the country. Dr Rufus Ebegba, Director-General and CEO of the the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA). Photo credit: climatereporters.com Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General of NBMA, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja ...

The FADAMA III Project in Jigawa says it has given various farm inputs to no fewer than 15,000 farmers in the state in 2018. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh Alhaji Aminu Isa, the Project Coordinator in the state, disclosed this to newsmen in Dutse, the capital city, on Friday, January 4, 2019. He said the beneficiaries ...

The International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) has secured a €7 million funding from the European Union (EU) towards the fight against Fall Armyworms (FAW) in the Eastern Africa region. Armyworm invasion Through the European Commission Directorate for International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO), the EU said that the money would be used in the management of FAW in ...

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) says it will sustain its campaign for Ebonyi State farmers to engage in dry season farming. Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State Mr Sunday Ituma, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of IFAD-VCDP, made this known on Friday, December 28, 2018 in Abakaliki, the state capital, during a knowledge-sharing ...