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EXPOSED: Four (4) BIG Chicks Share Their Fully Nude Jacuzzi Pics On Xmas Day [18+ ONLY]

Did this shock you, what else do you expect from Big Chicks from Edge Farms on Xmas day.

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Anambra FADAMA

Governor Peter Obi has distributed farm inputs and implements to Fadama Three Project Vegetable Grower in the State.  Governor Obi distributed the materials at the ADI Premises, Awka.
 
The beneficiaries of the materials are drawn from the twenty-five groups in fifteen communities spread across six Local Government Areas.
 
The materials distributed include water pumps and accessories, knapsacks sprayers, plastic tanks, litres of herbicides and insecticides as well as fertilizers and improved seeds.
 
Performing the function Governor Obi said government is accelerating tempo of Fadama activities across the State to empower poor farmers to increase their productivity in the drive to fight extreme poverty and hunger.  He enjoined the beneficiaries to put the materials to good use to actualize the desired goals to encourage government to invest more.
 
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Ndubisi Menakaya said Governor Obi had remained consistent in prompt payment of government counterpart cash contribution and other logistics supports which he noted had boosted activities of the Fadama project. He explained that empowerment of vegetable growers will contribute immensely in the creation of jobs and wealth for the unemployed.
 
Also speaking the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof. Chinyere Okunna  said the empowerment was targeted at empowering the farmers to expand and increase their productivity for food sufficiently in the efforts to achieve  one of the goals of  MDGs.
 
Prof. Okunna enjoined the vegetable growers to put in more efforts to increase their output to enable the State actualize food security.  The Acting State project coordinator, Mr. Evelyn Odiari said the empowerment will boost the level of vegetable production and mineral intake in the State as well as enable the State join the league of vegetable exporting States in the country.

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Gov Obi Doles N2.5b To Farmers

The days of neglect are over for farmers in Anambra State, ushering in hope for food sufficiency.

Agricultural schemes, for which the state was once known, are being revived. Farmers are meeting regularly with the state governor Peter Obi. At one of those meetings with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), which included rice growers and members of the FADAMA Group in the state, Obi announced the release of N1b agric loan to help them improve their inputs and yield.
The state is also in partnership with various organisations to boost food production. Such collaborations with the National Programme for Food Security have, for instance, added five tractors and a modern fish farm to the state's agric sector. The governor inaugurated them at an event tagged Growth Enhancement Support.

There are other gains from the partnership. Medical equipment worth several millions of naira has been supplied to a hospital in Omasi community. A borehole has also been sunk there. Forty-six motorcycles were equally procured for the community's youths in addition to an ICT centre set up in the community.

Obi has always maintained that his administration will ensure that the state does not lack food. To actualise this, farmers are encouraged with various facilities, including cash and other inputs. But while the state prioritises the agric sector, the Obi administration says it must not lose sight of other sectors as well, which is why it is building roads in rural areas as well as enhancing life generally in the state.
A representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Akinwumi Adesina was on hand as Obi inaugurated the facilities. The minister thanked the governor for his interest and support for the development of agriculture in Nigeria.

He explained that the Growth Enhancement Support programme, being an initiative of the Federal Government, was conceived to address the challenges encountered in the distribution of agricultural inputs as well as subsidy administration. He said the programme was designed to facilitate timely and easy access to seeds and fertilisers at affordable prices.

Governor Obi said agriculture remained the key to development and called on the people of Anambra State to take it seriously. He assured them of his administration's support.

He said it was in recognition of the imperatives of enhancing farming that his administration strategically built over 60 per cent of the state's roads in the rural areas to open up agricultural communities to markets and other distribution locations. He added that his administration is also committed to all counterpart obligations in all its partnership programmes.

The Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Andy Umeobi said that the Growth Enhancement Support would ensure that his ministry would ensure fertilizers got to the farmers for whom they are meant.

Speaking at the governor's meeting with farmers, the President of AFAN in the state, Chief Mekoh Nnamdi said with the support farmers are getting, the state would witness phenomenal growth in agriculture this year.
Governor Obi who said he was prepared to support farmers in all ramifications, though he warned that only genuine farmers and young people determined to go into production will get loans, and not those he referred to as "emergency or political farmers".

The chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria in the state, Chief Paul Mgbechi commended the governor for the meeting, saying Obi has shown profound interest in the welfare of farmers and in the growth of agriculture in the state.

The leader of FADAMA, Mr. Chukwudi Mojekwu said Obi's support for the all-year farming scheme, has made it one of the best in the country. The World Bank and the National Fadama Coordination Office also have very warm impressions of the programme in the state.

In Awka, the state capital, the World Bank Team Leader, Dr. Abimbola Adubi said the global bank is interested in working with the Obi administration since it is evident that the governor is focused on tackling poverty.
Adubi also announced that Anambra has been chosen as one of two states in the country marked for piloting a new programme of the Bank while ICT centres will be sited there to help the farmers.
At the event, Obi distributed cheques totalling about N60m to FADAMA community associations.
Mojekwu, the state coordinator of the scheme, urged beneficiaries to work hard and ensure financial discipline, noting that the project is known for openness and transparency.

The Community Development Officer (CDO), Fadama Project, Mrs. Rosaria Ohaeri, called on the delegates from the 20 FADAMA participating local governments in the state to elect credible and dedicated persons to the state executive in their interest and that of the state.

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An Apple A Day Keeps Diseases At Bay

• It zaps cholesterol
• It fights cancer
• Beats diarrhoea
• Avert hemorrhoids
• Controls weight
• Detoxifies the liver

Won't you stay alive?

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N4.3b for Farmers - FG

The federal government  through the Ministry of Agriculture  and Rural Development  has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BoI) for a N4.3 billion cassava bread  fund that would  support  small and medium enterprises (SMEs), master bakers and large  industrial cassava flour mills.

This is even as the managing director of the BoI, Ms Evelyn Oputu, who signed on behalf of the bank   has pledged  that the bank would work closely with  the stakeholders  to ensure that the fund was properly utilised.

The  MD said that  the nation would save a lot of money in foreign exchange from the implementation of the federal government's policy of 20 per cent cassava substitution in bread and other confectioneries by the year 2014, adding  that  the bank would  continue to drive the nation's agriculture transformation policy.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, who signed  on behalf of the federal government, said  Nigeria's revenue from cassava production would increase exponentially, following how output has been doubled in the last one year to ensure the nation continues to retain its position as the largest producer of the crop in the world.

Adesina disclosed that a total of N1.5 billion has been set aside for the upgrade of the capacity of 35 existing small cassava flour mills in the country.

This support, according to the minister, would be provided in the form a 50 per cent loan and 50 per cent grant, while the BoI would provide a working capital of N425 billion as loans  to SME cassava flour  processors at single digit  rate.

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Family Without Hunger

The Catholic Secretariat in Abuja on Monday launched anti-hunger and poverty campaign with a view to eradicating hunger worldwide by 2030.

The campaign, entitled "One Human Family without Hunger and without Poverty," organised in collaboration with All Caritas Network, is being driven by Caritas Nigeria, on behalf of the secretariat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Caritas Nigeria is an agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria saddled with the task to intervene in development and humanitarian issues.

Speaking at launching ceremony, the Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, said the campaign was about human rights, to question structures and preach care for one another.

Bassey said the gap between the social classes in the society was appalling and challenged governments and NGOs to close the gap.

"Today, World Human Rights Day, is a celebration of humanity; everybody has dignity and it should be defended.

"It is appalling to see some people walk freely while others are limited, some sleep overfed while others go hunger; some have houses in all the capital cities of the world while some have no place to lay their heads; it is a shame.

"I call on the governments and NGOs to address the imbalances in the society, settle disputes in Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau, so that hunger can be reduced in these areas."

Bassey identified the area worst hit by hunger and poverty as the northern part of the country and blamed the situation on desert encroachment and security crisis.

He said Caritas Nigeria had made a cash donation to 2,000 families in the north, adding that the organisation was creating a pool of funds to keep the support going.
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300,000 Farmers Trained On Rice Production

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Kaduna State Government on Friday in Kaduna said they would train 300,000 farmers to boost rice production in the country.

The minister, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, represented by the Director, State Agricultural Development Programme, Alhaji Tijani Isiaku, said this during a one-day training for farmers on rice production.

Adesina said the training was aimed at equipping both large and small scale farmers on modern techniques in rice production.

``What the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is trying to do is to encourage farmers to boost rice production through the use of modern techniques, which will yield more production massively.''

He said the state had the second largest number of registered rice farmers, and advised others to register to benefit from loans, training and assistance that would promote exportation.

The minister decried the high quantity of rice imported into the country, adding that efforts were in place to promote rice production for exportation, increase in revenue and job-creation.

Also, the Assistant Director in charge of Rice in the ministry, Mr Andrew Ikadeunu, said the government's target was that by 2014, the nation would be self-sufficient.

He urged farmers to participate in the Federal Government programmes on availability of rice production equipment at very low interest rates to boost production, reduce cost of production and generate more money.

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Livestock Training School in Pictures

Seeing is believing

http://fmi.gov.ng/latest/44616/

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Agriculture On A Roundtable - NESG

The Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has held a
consultation forum for stakeholders in the agriculture sector
to ensure that Nigeria contributes to the United Nations'
Global Compact initiative on sustainable agriculture business
principles.
The event which held at the NESG Summit House in Lagos had
participants drawn from the academia, production, finance,
processing and distribution in attendance to brainstorm on
how global decisions affect their practice in the agriculture
sector and make contributions towards the finalization of the
UN's Global Compact white paper on sustainable agriculture
business principles
The Director General of the NESG, Mr Frank Nweke Junior,
said that the contributions of industry players from within
Nigeria would form part of the content of the white paper and
help sustain the policy initiatives of Government and engage
the private sector in ensuring the implementation of policies in
the agriculture sector.
The 16 factors identified by the participants include amongst
others; workers' rights, land use and rights, climate change,
biodiversity, protecting children, health and nutrition, supply
chains and trade, value chain financing, yield and productivity,
small-scale farmers and co-operatives, as well as institutions
and infrastructure all of which if properly harnessed will bring
desired outcomes.
It would be recalled that, for the first time, the recently held
19th Economic Summit entirely focused on agriculture,
against the backdrop that it contributes over 40% to Nation's
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and employs majority of
Nigerians, but the country still spends huge sums in foreign
exchange, importing food annually, hence the need to improve
the lot of the sector.

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Nigeria food imports reducing — FG

The quantity of food imported into Nigeria has continued to
drop on a yearly basis, the Federal Government has said.

It said efforts by indigenous farmers were yielding meaningful
results as most foods consumed in the country were produced
locally.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, gave the
report on Tuesday and stressed that Nigeria was doing well in
its bid to ensure adequate food security.
She said, "Nigeria is trying and one way to measure that in
economics is to look at the amount of food imports over the
years.

"The statistics we have show that food import is going down
and this means that domestically, Nigeria is trying to cover up
most of the imported foods. This, therefore, points to the fact
that we are doing more in terms of food security."

Okonjo-Iweala spoke in Abuja through her special assistant,
Dr. Emmanuel Nwosu, at the 2013 World Food Day talk show
organised by Oxfam – an international confederation
operating in Nigeria.

The minister stated that it was important to educate school
children on the importance of food security so that when they
grow, they would work on what they learnt.

"This is because in Africa and most developing world, we have
malnutrition problems and one of the MDG goals is to fight
hunger and provide food for the population," she added.
Okonjo-Iweala, however, observed that the challenge in Africa
had a lot to do with its growing population, adding that this
often led to food security problems.
She said the programme was important as it would help to
inculcate the right ideas in youths to combat the problem of
food in security.
The minister said, "There is a lot of work because most people
in Nigeria are running away from agriculture. They think that
it is just for the old. But when agriculture is taken seriously,
we will achieve better results."
The Gender Officer, Oxfam in Nigeria, Ms. Boyowa Roberts,
said the organisation was using the opportunity to raise
awareness on agriculture.
She said, "The theme for this event is 'Grow, Think, Act'. We
are working with youths from three secondary schools here in
Abuja, who will become food heroes and will be able to
mentor other people on healthy feeding habit and a lot more."

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A Whole Country Rejects fast Foods

McDonald's happy image and its golden arches aren't the gateway to bliss in Bolivia. This South American country isn't falling for the barrage of advertising and fast food cooking methods that so easily engulf countries like the United States. Bolivians simply don't trust food prepared in such little time. The quick and easy, mass production method of fast food actually turns Bolivians off altogether. Sixty percent of Bolivians are an indigenous population who generally don't find it worth their health or money to step foot in a McDonald's.

Despite its economically friendly fast food prices, McDonald's couldn't coax enough of the indigenous population of Bolivia to eat their BigMacs, McNuggets or McRibs.

One indigenous woman, Esther Choque, waiting for a bus to arrive outside a McDonald's restaurant, said, "The closest I ever came was one day when a rain shower fell and I climbed the steps to keep dry by the door. Then they came out and shooed me away. They said I was dirtying the place. Why would I care if McDonald's leaves [Bolivia]?"

The eight remaining McDonald's fast food shops that stuck it out in the Bolivian city's of La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, had reportedly operated on losses every year for a decade. The McDonald's franchise had been persistent over that time, flexing its franchise's deep pockets to continue business in Bolivia

After 14 years of presence in the country, their extensive network couldn't hold up the Bolivian chain. Store after store shut down as Bolivia rejected the McDonald's fast food agenda. Soon enough, they kissed the last McDonald's goodbye

Goodbye from Bolivia...

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Groundnuts Can Cure Haemophilia

Groundnuts, also known as peanuts, are considered a very healthy snack. Groundnut is the member of the legume family and is native to regions like South America, Mexico and Central America. However, it is successfully grown in other parts of the world as well. 

 

The name of the plant combines the morpheme, ‘pea’ and ‘nut’. In the culinary sense, it is regarded as a nut, but in the botanical sense, the fruit of the plant is a woody legume. Since that is the case, the groundnut is actually a kind of pea. The groundnut is also known by different names like earthnuts, goobers, goober peas, pindas, jack nuts, pinders, manila nuts and monkey nuts. Throughout the world, they are known for their nutrition and health benefits. Peanuts or groundnuts are among the most common oil-seeds, since time immemorial. The nuts are rich with significant, beneficial nutrients that are essential for optimum health. People consume groundnuts in various ways such roasted, boiled, raw and also use them as a base for gravies. Read on for information on the nutritional value and benefits of groundnuts.

Nutritional Value of Groundnut

 

Nutrients	Content per 100g
Energy	567 Kcal
Carbohydrates	16.13 g
Protein	25.80 g
Total Fat	49.24 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Dietary Fiber	8.5 g
Vitamins
Folates	240 µg
Niacin	12.066 mg
Pantothenic acid	1.767 mg
Pyridoxine	0.348 mg
Riboflavin	0.135 mg
Thiamin	0.640 mg
Vitamin A	0 IU
Vitamin C	0
Vitamin E	8.33 mg
Electrolytes
Sodium	18 mg
Potassium	705 mg
Minerals
Calcium	92 mg
Copper	1.144 mg
Iron	4.58 mg
Magnesium	168 mg
Manganese	1.934 mg
Phosphorus	76 mg
Selenium	7.2 µg
Zinc	3.27 mg
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	0 µg
Crypto-xanthin-ß	0 µg
Lutein-zeaxanthin	0 µg

 

 

Health Benefits Of Eating Groundnuts

• Groundnuts and groundnut products are very beneficial in the treatment of hemophilia and other such inherited blood disorders. People suffering from nose bleeding also benefit from eating groundnuts and it is also helpful in reducing excessive menstruation bleeding in women.
• Five main nutrients required by the body to maintain and repair the tissues namely, energy, protein, phosphorous, thiamin and niacin are found in good quantity in groundnuts.
• Groundnuts are rich vitamins and contain at least 13 different types of vitamins that include Vitamin A, B, C and E. along with this, groundnuts are also rich in 26 essential minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, boron, etc. These help in brain function and development and also help to maintain strong bones.
• It is recommended that growing children, expecting women and nursing mothers consume roasted groundnuts with jaggery and goat’s milk. It is said to provide resistance and immunity against dangerous infections like hepatitis and tuberculosis.
• Groundnuts are rich in anti-oxidants and a chemical called resveratrol. These help in reducing the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases, cancer risk and also help in anti-ageing, thus, keeping the body young and fit.
• They are composed of adequate levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids especially oleic acid which helps to lower the LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increases HDL or "good cholesterol” level in the blood. This in return prevents coronary artery disease and strokes by taking care of the healthy blood lipid profile.
• Groundnuts contain amino acids and are a good source of dietary protein, which is essential for growth and development.
• Peanuts have high content of poly-phenolic antioxidants, primarily p-coumaric acid which reduces the risk of stomach cancer by preventing the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in the stomach.
• Boiling the peanuts for consumption is known to enhance the antioxidant concentration, such as biochanin-A and genistein.
• Groundnuts are packed with B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates, which contribute towards brain health and stimulate blood flow to the brain.
• It is said that a handful of groundnuts per day, offers enough levels of phenolic anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins, and protein recommended by doctors.
• Peanuts contain dietary fiber which enhances digestion.

 

Buying & Storing Tips

• Groundnuts are easily available in supermarkets. Also, in many places they are available in stalls on roadsides.
• Peanuts can be bought according to your requirement, such as raw, roasted, boiled, roasted and salted, etc.
• Raw peanuts can be stored in air-tight containers for up to one week. In the same manner boiled peanuts can also be stored in air-tight vessels for about a week. If you want to store them for a month or so, place the air-tight container in the freezer.
• Whole or shelled raw peanuts can stay in the refrigerator for 2-3 months. But if you freeze them, they can stay up to six months.

 

Cooking Tips

• To enjoy the crunchiness of peanuts, roast them with some salt. This is one of the most common ways of enjoying peanuts.
• Boiled peanuts are considered healthy as well as tasty. To relish the peanuts add some salt while boiling them. Though their shelf-life is short in comparison to roasted peanuts, the health benefits are a lot more.
• You can add them as ingredients to cookies/chocolates and have them.
• Another very popular peanut recipe is the peanut butter spread. You can spread peanut butter on slices of bread or use them in cookie dough. Peanut butter is a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.

Surplus Food In Imo State

In the South-east, like Imo State, the people are predominantly farmers. The pattern of agricultural production in the state vary from one area to the other as areas like Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru West, Oru East and Owerri local government areas among others that are oil producing areas, have different pattern of agricultural production compared to non oil producing areas of the state like Okigwe for topographical reasons.

Generally, 2013 wet season harvest has been very good in the state especially the high yield recorded on the three major crops that are commonly produced in the state which include cassava, yam and plantain. Evidence of good harvest could be seen in the large quantities of these crops in the market. A visit to all the markets in the state will certainly prove that there is abundant food and cash crops in the state. At Eke Umuagwo and Afor Umuapu markets in Ohaji/Egbema local government areas of the state visited by this reporter, there were different types of crops produced by farmers in the area.

A plantain farmer in Ilile Community in Ohaji/Egbema local government area, Mr. Monday Nwosu, said he has been in the business of farming and marketing crops and had noticed that there is high yield this year.

Mrs Roseline Eke, a cassava farmer, said cassava has become a major source of income and on each market day, she uproots cassava from her farm and takes to the market for sale. At the Orie Ogbaku market in Mbaitoli local government area, lots of people go to the market to buy and sell farm produce such as garri, cassava, yam, vegetables, waterleaves, plantain, banana, pineapple among others.

A yam farmer, Obi Udoka, said there are different categories of yam in the market which include yams from the north, Abakaliki and those from other parts of the state, adding, “A lot of buyers come from within and outside the state to patronize us.”
Mrs. Florence Nwaka expressed happiness over the good harvest recorded in the state, saying she has succeeded in having large quantities of cassava and yams from her farm

Banks Agree On Farmers Loan Extension - Agric Minister

The Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina as well as the
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Chief
Executives of commercial banks in Nigeria have agreed to
expand the loan tenor to farmers from six to twelve months as
part of the resolve of the emerging generation of leaders to
uplift the country.

According to the Minister who hinted at a breakfast meeting
organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development in Abuja recently, the venture will ensure
increase in food production in 2014; reduce inflation and
enable banks to reconcile the modalities for seed to fertilizer
supply chains and loans transacted during the dry season to
wet season farming.

"One of the pillars of the decisions reached sought to convey
the Federal Government's appreciation for the contributions of
the banks to the evolving agricultural revolution in the
country. The meeting also discussed and resolved some
challenges mostly bureaucratic in the loan repayment
processes," he said.

Akinwumi Adesina explained that the total amount lent to
farmers in 2013 was N20 billion as against N3.5 billion in the
preceding year; adding that the increase expresses confidence
in the farmers resulting from the institutional structures which
were created in the form of value chains. The institutional
structures, he added have done so much to create and sustain
confidence in the value chains as the Ministry is poised to
reduce the risk of lending by banks to the agric sector.

He identified the banks which have greatly supported the
Agric sector to include: Access Bank, Diamond Bank,
Enterprise Bank, First City Monument Bank, Jaiz Bank, First
Bank of Nigeria, MainStreet Bank, Sterling Bank, United Bank
for Africa, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, Zenith Bank, Union Bank
and the Bank of Agriculture.

"The registration of farmers which started in year 2012 has in
2013 reached 4.2 million farmers directly through the
electronic wallet scheme. This means that about 20 million
people have been impacted upon by the GES programme of the
Federal Government," he noted.
The Minister attributed the decline in

De Edge Farms

Recipe: Skin Beauty Salad

Ingredients 

• 2 handfuls of young arugula (rocket)
• 2 handfuls of baby spinach
• 1 carrot, grated or shredded
• 2 radishes, sliced paper thin with a mandolin
• 2 small cucumbers, sliced in half lengthways
• 1 small red onion, sliced super thin with a mandolin
• 3 limes, juiced
• 1 hass avocado
• 1 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
• 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1 handful of fresh soft herbs (works best with dill, coriander or basil leaves)
• ¼ tsp unrefined sea salt 

Tools You'll Need
A Mandolin or sharp knife


Method

1. Put the sliced onion in a small bowl with the lime juice to soak for at least 10 minutes. If you do this ahead of time, leaving it to soak for an hour or more creates an even softer, sweeter, pinker result
2. Scoop the seeds out of the cucumbers with a teaspoon and throw the seeds into your blender; chop the cucumbers
3. In a large bowl, arrange the leaves, cucumber, carrot and radish.  Take the onion out of the lime juice and add this to the salad too
4. Add to the blender the left-over lime juice, avocado, vinegar, cayenne, honey, herbs and salt.  Blend until smooth; you may need to add a dash of water to facilitate blending.  Adjust seasoning to taste
5. Dollop dressing generously on your salad, mix through before eating


Special Note: 
Onions and arugula (rocket) are high in sulfur, a beautifying mineral which cleanses the liver and skin. Additionally radishes and cucumber are high in silica, which is necessary for the strengthening and moisturizing of hair, skin and nails.

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Side Effects of Bananas

Known as the “fruit of wisdom”, banana is one of the most popular fruits in the world. However, eating bananas may have some side effects when consuming them with some specific food. Bananas is a common tropical fruit which is cheap, sweet and delicious. The starch-like flesh contained in bananas are very helpful to moisten the intestine and improve bowel movement. You should avoid eating bananas with some kinds of food which may weaken your health.
 
1. Taro, sweet potato, sweet potato should not be consumed with bananas because a combination of them may easily stomach pain and abdominal swelling.

2. Bananas and yogurt are not interfere with each other in the sense of nutrition. On the contrary, the nutrients in them can complement with each other which will bring great benefits for human body. Most yogurts do not contain dietary fiber and vitamin c while bananas do not contain vitamin A, D and protein and the content of vitamin B2 is extremely low as well. However, these nutrients are very rich in milk products. However, for some people who suffered from diarrhea of spleen disorders, the refrigerated yogurt coupled with the “laxation” food bananas which can assist the promotion of intestinal peristalsis may easily cause abdominal pain and diarrhea problems.

3. Bananas should not be taken with potatoes because it may cause some facial spots. A combination of them may result in some chemical reactions which will produce toxins and causing brown spots on the face. However, if the period of consumption of them can be separated to more than 15 minutes, the risks of growing spots can be lowered.

4. Bananas should not be taken with melons. This is because that in melon the sugar content can be as high as about 15% and it is also rich in potassium. Banana is also rich in potassium, and the content of potassium can reach 283~472mg per 100g. Therefore, patients with kidney failure should not be take food containing high amounts of potassium such as bananas and melons to avoid a worse outcome.

5. Bananas should not be eaten when the stomach is empty. Bananas have lots of magnesium which is a type of sensitive element that will affect the functionality of heart, and it will produce an inhibitory effect on cardiovascular systems. When the stomach is empty, eating bananas will result in a sharp rise of magnesium content in the body which will disrupt the balance of magnesium and calcium in the blood, resulting in an inhibitory effect on cardiovascular system.

6. Raw bananas will aggravate the symptoms of constipation. Raw bananas contain a high amount of tannic acid which has a convergence effect on digestive tract, inhibits gastrointestinal fluid secretion and inhibits gastrointestinal motility as well.

Cancer from Maize and Groundnut: Aflatoxins Awareness

Nigeria’s food and drug regulator, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) organized an awareness workshop for the country’s southeastern region on the 13th of November 2013.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, said the aims of the campaign were to educate consumers, farmers, and the industrial sector on the risks and harmful effects of aflatoxins in food and feeds as well as their control/reduction strategies.
Dr Orhii, who was represented by Mrs Stella Denloye, NAFDAC’s Director of Laboratory Services, said, “The clear objectives are to highlight the extent of aflatoxin contamination of Nigeria’s staple foods and export commodities … the negative economic impact on trade and foreign exchange earnings … and to draw attention to mitigation strategies.”
Produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxins are naturally occurring fungal toxins abundant in the soil that contaminate food products such as maize, groundnut, as well as other crops. They are carcinogenic to man and cause immune-suppression, cancer, and growth reduction in animals. In some cases, consumption of high levels of aflatoxins has resulted in deaths of animals and human beings. In Kenya, for instance, consumption of maize contaminated with aflatoxins resulted in about 200 deaths between 2004 and 2006.
“Studies in Nigeria also show high levels of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut”, say Drs Ranajit Bandyopadhyay, IITA scientist and team leader for the Africa-wide initiative for the control of aflatoxin; and Joseph Atehnkeng, Project Coordinator for Aflatoxin Control in West Africa.
“And people are consuming these toxins in ignorance, compromising their health,” they added.
To mitigate the spread and contamination of grains by these lethal fungal toxins, IITA and partners developed a biocontrol product—aflasafeTM—that has proven effective in controlling aflatoxins. Studies show that the application of aflasafeTM in farmers’ field reduced aflatoxin contamination by more than 90 percent, and birds fed with aflasafeTM-treated maize recorded less mortality and had a higher feed conversion ratio.
Adebowale Akande, AgResults Aflasafe Pilot Manager, said the flag off aimed to introduce aflasafeTM to farmers in the southeastern part of the country so that they could adopt, and use the product on their farms for both health benefits and higher incomes. “The more people are aware of mitigation options, the better equipped they will be to handle and manage the situation,” Akande added.
The workshop in Enugu is the third in the series, coming after similar ones in Abuja and Ibadan for the north central and south western regions of Nigeria, respectively. It builds on ongoing initiatives such as the Commercial Agricultural Development Program (CADP).
The awareness/sensitization workshops are supported by Australia/AUSAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada/Finance Canada, the United Kingdom/DFID, and the United States/USAID through Deloitte Consulting LLC on behalf of the World Bank under the AgResults Initiative.

De Edge Farms

Governor of Oyo State Commissions IITA Facilities

The Governor of Oyo State, in Nigeria, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Tuesday commissioned the Clinic, Wellness Center and Crèche at the headquarters of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan while underscoring the importance of such facilities in promoting and ensuring the health and well-being of the institute’s staff, in particular, and Nigerians, in general.

Putting the commissioning in a larger perspective, Governor Ajimobi cited striking figures that highlighted the need and benefits of such facilities for an agricultural research center, and the nexus between healthy lifestyle and productivity. He said that, for example, the incidence of diabetes is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, with related health costs estimated at US$ 67.03 billion, or US$8836 for every diabetic patient.

“I congratulate and commend the IITA Women's Group and the Management of IITA for paying attention to the health and welfare of its staff. The Health and Wellness Center could help us in reducing the costs associated with modern-day illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. The Crèche, on the other hand, will help ensure that children of staff are well-taken cared of while their parent or parents are working.”

“These efforts are indeed heartening as these facilities will promote and enhance the physical, mental, and social quality of life of staff,” the governor emphasized.

De Edge Farms

IITA Crops - Banana and Plantain

Banana & plantain (Musa acuminata and balbisiana hybrids)

Banana and plantain are an essential source of carbohydrates and minerals and a major cash crop for many smallholder farmers in East, Central, and West Africa. Fruit is produced all year round in varied environments, but pests and diseases reduce yields and post harvest losses reduce availability.

Banana and Plantain plantation is a huge investment.

De Edge Farms

Agriculture Graduates Are Needed

The food industry needs a revolution to feed a growing population, and new generations of graduates are required.

Agricultural evolution first occurred 10,000 years ago when plants were selected and grown as crops, and animals were domesticated. Further revolution of our food industry – from mechanisation in the early 18th century right through to genetic selection today – has been driven by technological innovation and the dissemination of knowledge.

Yet another revolution will be required to increase by 70% in the next 40 years to feed a growing world population. It will have to do so with the same agricultural footprint, and without depleting our natural resources or destroying our environment.
e the growth, disease control and precision engineering necessary in our future food industry. Food production will have to

It will be a revolution of discovery, and it will require collaboration between all the elements of a food industry – which has itself evolved through searingly competitive practice. Universities, research institutes and industry will need to harness their combined intellect to make the substantive advances necessary to keep feeding our people.

New generations of graduates should leave university with the intellectual capacity to use technology in imaginative, productive and profitable ways. They should have the flexibility to embrace the unknown.

Why wait? Apply for an agro-based degree today!

De Edge Farms

Small-Scale Farming Can Save Us

Supporting smallholder irrigation through finance and technical assistance could significantly improve productivity and incomes.

The recent discovery of a large aquifer in Kenya is a reminder that far from being dry, Africa has abundant water resources. The problem for farmers is access: only around 6% of cultivated land is equipped for irrigation, leaving millions dependent on rain-fed agriculture. How might more of them be helped to access water that could raise their productivity?

Large-scale, government-funded irrigation systems have long attempted to address this, with varying degrees of success. Those systems have a place, but research by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has found that many smallholders are themselves taking the lead and investing in their own low-cost, small-scale irrigation systems.

  "Small-scale agricultural water management dominates the landscape in south Asia but it's really becoming quite a feature also in sub-Saharan Africa now,"

You can start from your backyard...

De Edge Farms

Gov Obi Shares N70m to Farmers

The Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, distributed cheques worth 70 million Naira (about 449,000 dollars) to 153 Fadama users groups in 77 Fadama Community Associations in the state.

Speaking at an event which held at the ADP complex in Awka, the governor said that the donation was to reiterate the commitment of his administration to supporting farmers in the state towards achieving sustainable food production in order to reduce hunger and poverty in the state.
He said that his administration would ensure that the agricultural sector was totally transformed, as food was basic for continued sustenance of life.

Wouldn't you join the farmers?

De Edge Farms

You Wish to Travel-Out?: Easy for Farmers!

If you are interested in alternative ways of living and want to meet interesting people then wwoofing or hosting is for you.

You can easily travel as a volunteer or welcome travellers as a host. Make the right choice today and change your environment and life style.

As a farmer, you have got the edge. Fina details at
www.wwoof.net

De Edge Farms

Top 15 Livestock Farming Ideas

1. Cattle farming

Cattle farming is a business that appeals to people who
the needed vacant land and resources to make it work.
Now as long as milk, meat, leather products, etc are in
demand, cattle will remain a profitable business. For
those who are interested in this cattle business, it is
important you know that there are several avenues to
make money from this business. You can either choose
to breed bulls or cattle for their beef or go into full
scale diary farming (milk products). In fact, you can
also make money by selling their dungs to organic
fertilizer production companies.

2. Goat farming

Goat farming is no longer a new business. Rearing goat
is a very lucrative and profitable business because
goats have a low mortality rate as they are resistant to
diseases, weather, and they are omnivorous.

3. Sheep farming

Sheep breeding business can be very lucrative and a
profitable venture more especially if you raise a good
number of them. However, for an entrepreneur to
succeed in such a venture, patience is required as well
as understanding the cycles of your business.

4. Poultry farming

Poultry farming is a viable business anytime any day
and the good thing about poultry is that its demand is
rising; since people are now reducing their intake of
red meat due to health issues. There are several
aspects of poultry you can venture into such Chicken
farming, Turkey, Guinea fowl, Quail, etc.

5. Pet Birds Farming

Another livestock farming business you can consider is
pet birds farming. In this case, you will be breeding
birds for pet purposes and other domestic use, not for
consumption. Example of pet birds include Parrot,
Doves, Pigeons, Peafowls ( Peacocks and Peahens ), etc.

6. Fish farming

Fish farming can be divided into two basic categories;
which are fresh water fish farming and salt . The
demand for fish can never be met and about 70% of
fishes consumed in Nigeria are still being imported;
thus making fish farming a profitable venture.

7. Snail Farming

Another lucrative livestock farming business you can
venture into is snail farming. As the migration from
red meat consumption to white meat increases, the
demand for snail will increase as well because snail is
a good source of protein. With just a little capital and
small garden space, you can kick start this business.

8. Pig Farming

Running a piggery is another profitable venture with
less competition. Most people shy away from rearing
pigs because of religious beliefs and the capital +
labour investment it requires.

9. Worm farming

Worm farming is the easiest way of turning fruit and
vegetable scraps into a great potting soil or soil
amendment for your house plants or garden. In fact,
this is a business that most people are not even aware
of. Do you know that worms have an important role to
play in maintaining soil fertility? Well, know it today
that there is a market for worms. Worm farming is
specifically vital and useful for people who will like to
compost their food scraps but do not have vacant for
backyard compost bin.

10. Grass cutter farming

11. Shrimp farming

12. Lobster farming

13. Crab farming

14. Guinea pig farming

Breeding guinea pig is very lucrative and rewarding
because they are very prolific. First of all, mating them
is very simple. Rearing them is as well easy and at the
end of the day, you will smile as you watch these little
creatures grow and develop. Just ensure that you will
be capable of providing good homes for the babies.

15. Rabbit Farming

Rabbit rearing is a business that requires less space
and the farming can be done anywhere; from a
standard farm, backyard, on terrace or even at home.
The capital investment for this venture is very small
and the profit potential is huge.

De Edge Farms

Goat Farming in Nigeria: The Opportunities

Nigeria, with a population of about 165 million is grossly underprovided with essential food component,
protein. For example, data from the FOS, CBN, and FAO
indicates that from cattle, less than 2kg of beef is
available to an average Nigerian per year and just
mere 4kg of eggs per annum is available to each
Nigerian.

In fact, milk production has been nose diving or at best
has remained constant since 1994.This scenario is
compounded more so when the volume of egg supply
is very low, being 10.56g per person per day as
compared with the usual recommendation that an egg
should be consumed by an adult per day. This
recommendation would imply a crate of 30 eggs per
month.

This story also holds for other meat products including,
goat. To ameliorate this problem of low-level of protein
intake, there is the need for concerted effort, among
the various stakeholders to bring about the massive
production of protein based food items at competitive
costs so that they would be affordable to the general
masses. Aside from the other necessary economic
reforms, massive investment goat farming is one way of
resolving the problem.
Goat is a multi functional animal and has a significant
role in the economy and nutrition of landless, small
and marginal farmers in the whole country. Goat
rearing is practiced by a large section of population in
rural areas.

Goats can easily survive in even adverse and harsh
environment in low fertility lands, where no crops can
be grown.

In agricultural societies in Nigeria, goats are kept as a
source of additional income and as an insurance
against disaster. Goats are also used in ceremonial
feastings and for the payment of social dues.
In addition to this, goat has religious and ritualistic
importance in many societies.

The advantages of goat rearing are:
• Goat Farming requires low initial Investment.
• There are less Housing requirements and
Managerial Problems with goats, due to their small
body size and docile nature.
• Goats are very friendly animals and enjoy being
with the people.
• Goats are prolific breeders and achieve sexual
maturity at the age of 10-12 months. Gestation period
in goats is short and at the age of 16-17 months it
starts giving milk. Twinning is very common and
triplets and quadruplets are rare.
• In drought prone areas, risk of goat farming is very
much less as compared to other livestock species.
• Unlike large animals in commercial farm
conditions, both male and female goats have equal
value.
• Goats are ideal for mixed species grazing. The
animal can thrive well on wide variety of thorny
bushes, weeds, crop residues, agricultural by-products
unsuitable for human consumption.
• Under proper management, goats can improve and
maintain grazing land and reduce bush encroachment
(biological control) without causing harm to the
environment.
• No religious taboo against goat slaughter and meat
consumption prevalent in the country.
• Slaughter and dressing operation and meat disposal
can be carried without much environmental problems.
• The goat meat is more lean (low cholesterol) and
relatively good for people who prefer low energy diet
especially in summer and sometimes goat meat
(chevron) is preferred over mutton because of its
"chew ability".
• Goat milk is easy to digest than cow milk because of
small fat globules and is naturally homogenized. Goat
milk is said to play a role in improving appetite and
digestive efficiency. Goat milk is non allergic as
compared to cow milk and it has anti-fungal and anti
bacterial properties and can be used for treating
diseases of fungal origin.
• Goats are 2.5 times more economical than sheep on
free range grazing under semi arid conditions.
• Goat creates employment to the rural poor besides
effectively utilizing unpaid family labor. There is ample
scope for establishing cottage industries based on goat
meat and milk products and value addition to skin and
fiber.
• Goat is termed as walking refrigerator for the
storage of milk and can be milked number of times in a
day.

As is illustrated above, the product of this unit will
enjoy very good market. Hence on the commercial
ground, by taking into account the various aspects of
Animal Husband industry, marketing of these products
will never be a problem for the next several years to
come; moreover, there is a good growing demand for
these products.

The marketable products of goat farming include the
fattened kids, manure, and culled animals. Marketing
avenues for the above products are slaughter houses
and individual meat consuming customers and
agriculture farms. Therefore availability of either
slaughtering facilities or traders who will purchase live
animals should be ensured to convert the fatteners into
wholesome meat and meat products. Further, demand
for manure from nearby agriculture farms must also be
ensured.

De Edge Farms

Bird Flu Again?

Bird Flu is an infection caused by avian influenza virus. This occurs naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the virus in their intestine but usually do not get sick from them.

The bird flu is very contagious among bird and can make some domestic birds very sick and death can occur.

Bird flu was first reported in Nigeria in early February 2006 in Sambawa Farms, Kaduna State.

Treat all birds with care. Cook properly before ingestion.

De Edge Farms

Kwara Registers 250,000 Farmers

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources said on Friday that it had so far registered 250,000 farmers in Kwara under the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES).

The State Director of the ministry, Mr Buhari Adebisi, disclosed this during an interview in Ilorin.

The Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES), according to him, is one of many critical components of the Federal Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

He said it was designed for the specific purpose of providing affordable agricultural inputs like fertiliser and hybrid seeds to farmers in order to increase their yields per hectare and make it comparable to world standards.

Adebisi said the programme had impacted positively on the lives of the farmers by boosting the yield of their crops.

``A farmer who was buying two `mudus' of fertiliser before said he now has two bags of fertiliser through the e-wallet value chain.

``He said he was happy because his crops will yield more now that he has enough fertiliser.

``The expectation of the government is to register 10 million farmers nationwide.

``The projection is that five million

farmers will be registered every year thereafter and by 2015, we hope that we will be able to reach 20 million farmers all over the country.''

He expressed the hope to be able to register 100,000 farmers more to receive the inputs.

He said the number of farmers who had received government's subsidised inputs through mobile phones were negligible due to ignorance.

``Some have also lost their phones; some have even received messages but ignorance. Some cannot be reached or the network is having a problem'', he said

He added that the help-line workers were introduced in order to bring the farmers on the cellular platforms.

Adebisi said that the help-line workers were able to substantially bring the level of those redeemed by e-wallet to a level acceptable to the network providers.

He said 100 per cent of the farmers now have e-wallet even though it has to be done offline sometimes to bring them up to the cellular platform for the sake of transparency and accountability.

The director also said that GES had impacted well on the lives of farmers in the state in terms of the accessibility to input. ``They are properly covered.'' 

De Edge Farms

We'll Grow Maize Without Water - IITA

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has embarked on
some researches to produce drought-tolerant maize to boost agriculture in
the country.
Dr Sylvestro Meseka, a maize breeder at the institute, made this known on
Thursday when he addressed a group of scientists who visited the
institute's research farm in Ikenne,
Ogun State.

Reports shows that the scientists are Fellows of Bio-sciences for Farming
in Africa (B4FA).

Meseka said that the development of the variety was imperative because of
the effects of climate change.

He said that the new maize seeds had the capacity to resist and withstand
any form of drought that could plague the country.

``We are developing a maize variety that would be good for farmers in the
marginal rain areas, particularly in the northern parts of Nigeria where
the rain pattern is too short. So, you need to have some of these varieties
there.

``We should not forget the fact that due to climate change, the rainfall
pattern has changed; we are looking for more varieties that are not only
drought-tolerant but also tolerant to heat stress,'' he said.

Meseka said that the experiment was being conducted; using the irrigation
system of farming, adding that the seeds would only be watered for 28 days
and left to germinate.

He stressed that apart from its resistance to drought, the new maize
variety was also resistant to diseases such as stem borer disease.

He said that crops that were able to survive and produce significant yield
would be selected and multiplied for further distribution to seed companies.

Besides, Meseka said the institute would develop flood-resistant crops that
could withstand flood, since floods had now become incessant because of
climate change and rainfall patterns.

On the various varieties of seeds developed and released so far, the
breeder said that 370 varieties had been released this year, in
collaboration with the institute's international and local partners.

De Edge Farms

More Ethanol Plants for Green Plains

U.S. ethanol producer Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc said it has completed a previously announced acquisition of two ethanol plants from privately held Ethanol Holding Co.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition of the two properties, in Wood River,Nebraska, and Fairmont, Minnesota, increases Green Plains' production capacity to more than 1 billion gallons of ethanol per year.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Nov 15 proposed cutting the amount of bio fuels - the vast majority of which is corn-based ethanol - that would be blended next year into the fuel supply to 15.21 billion gallons, down from 18.15 billion gallons under the current law.

Agribusiness companies have been restarting ethanol plants in anticipation of a record U.S. corn harvest that is replenishing stockpiles diminished by serious drought last year.

Green Plains owns and operates grain storage assets in the U.S. corn belt as well as bio fuel terminals in southern states.The company is also a joint venture partner in Bio Process Algae LLC, which was formed to commercialize technologies for growing and harvesting algae biomass.

De Edge Farms

Poultry Sunami

A correspondent at Ede in Osun State learnt on Thursday (21 November) that  rainstorm destroyed poultry pens worth several millions of naira during the rain which started around 6pm on Wednesday.

The Farm Manager of Kojeh Farms Limited, Francis Odemba, told the correspondent that farm owners were at loss on what to do because of the enormity of the damage.

He said, “The storm caused a huge damage to our multimillion naira state-of-the-art poultry pen. The pen has two auto-layer cages imported from Germany.

“The pen with the auto-layer cage has the capacity of housing 30,000 poultry birds.”
Some of the owners appealed to the state government to come to their aid in order to remain in business.

De Edge Farms

Security Men Arrest A Donkey

Is this funny or serious?

The security operatives in the Northern Nigeria Friday, November 22 arrested a Donkey without the owner for trespassing.

It reminds us of the old good time when goats and sheeps are arrested in southern Nigeria for damaging people's crops.

What do you think? Do we need animal policing agency?

A Man Marries Tree

An Argentinian environmentalist Richard Torres married a tree to draw people’s attention to environmental issues; he is planning to bring his unique style of activism to countries throughout Latin America. 

To enhance his relationships with the nature, Richard, dressed in a white suit and blue hat, invited guests to perform readings at the ceremony in one of the city’s main parks.

What can you do to show your love for nature?

De Edge Farms

What Is ATA?

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in its avowed commitment to Mr. President's Transformation Agenda, has embarked on a paradigm shift in the agricultural sector with some primary focus:

• - Focusing on agriculture as a business instead of a developmental project
• - Utilising the transformation of the agricultural sector to create jobs, create wealth and ensure food security
• - Focusing on value chains where Nigeria has comparative advantage
• - Sharp focus on youths and women

 

The Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) is the largest ever government-enabled private sector-led effort to grow agriculture in Nigeria. This comprehensive effort aims to increase domestic food production, reduce dependence on food imports and expand value addition to locally produced agricultural products.  Through de-regulation, attractive financing, concentrated infrastructure investments, and competitive policies, the sector will be more productive, efficient and competitive.  Specifically, the plan will add 20 million tons of food to domestic supply and create 3.5 million jobs by 2015.

Nigeria Under Hunger Threat?

No!

The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, said on
Thursday in Abuja that Nigeria is producing enough
food and therefore not under any threat of hunger.

Adesina said this on the sideline of a breakfast meeting with
the Central Bank Governor and some Chief Executive Officers
of Commercial Banks.

A report claimed that there were strong indications of
looming food crisis in the country as fresh indices showed
that more than 65 per cent of 160 million Nigerian population
were food insecure. According to the report, the indices also revealed that more
than 1.4 million children in northern Nigeria were at risk of
severe malnutrition in 2013, while the country was losing
estimated N1 billion on contraband rice on daily basis.
The report attributed the situation to the activities of the Boko
Haram insurgency, the military crackdown and the state of
emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

"The information that there would be hunger in Nigeria is
mischievous and it is not correct.
"We are producing enough food today in this country; we have
reduced our food import bill by N857 billion which shows you
that agriculture is working,'' Adesina said.
He said that the country produced 1.1 million metric tonnes of
rice alone in the last dry season and more would be produced
this year.

What do you think?

De Edge Farms

Palm Wine Now In Cans!

Wow!

We are bracing up quickly. The introduction of packaged palm wine into the Nigerian Market is the latest technology in food processing. Our economy will grow more and the lovers of palm wine will find their favourite drink ever ready and fresh.

Have you seen the packaged palmi?

De Edge Farms

1000 FARMERS RECEIVE 32,000 HYBRID PLANTAIN /BANANA VARIETIES

The FG says that building capacities of Nigeria Farmers in modern agriculture is fundamental to the actualization of the nations self-reliant and sustainable Food Security/sufficiency. To this end, well-over thirty two thousand (32,000) disease free improved varieties of Plantain/Banana nurseries/suckers have been distributed to about one thousand (1000) prime farmers including Women and Youth Entrepreneurs in four Pilot States in the Federation. The States include Abia, Delta, Oyo and Cross River among others.

The Minister expressed Nigeria's profound gratitude to FAO-UN Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Louise Sethswealo for supporting the campaign for global food security especially, in Nigeria and urged it not to relent.

I am confident the Nigeria's ATA will change the face of the country's economy. What do you think?

De Edge Farms

Mobile Phones for 10 Million Farmera

Have You Heard?
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and rural Development in Nigeria has announced the last stage of its plan to distribute 10 million phones to farmers across the country. This was revealed by the Minister, Akinwumi Adesina at a workshop under the National Presidential Initiative on Youth Employment on Agriculture Programme (YEAP).  

The Federal Government intends to use agriculture to tackle youth unemployment. According to the Minister, the government intends to achieve a shift from seeing agriculture as a social service to being seen as a business. Akinwumi said succeeding government failed to attract the right kind of investment as well as participation into agric-business because it was not treated as a business enterprise. "Today, we have launched the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme through which farmers now receive their fertiliser and seed support through their mobile phones, or Electronic Wallets. By 2013, we plan to distribute 10 million mobile phones to farmers across the country to make it easier for them to access inputs. Nigeria is the first country in Africa to use electronic wallets to reach farmers with inputs," he said. The distribution of the mobile phones by 2013 will help farmers get access to agriculture inputs, which will eliminate the challenges the farmers face on a daily basis. "The YEAP workshop which has as its theme, 'Achieving Youth Employment In Agriculture For Nagropreneurs', is organised to enable stakeholders, comprising young entrepreneurs, the civil society, financial institutions and donor agencies in the agriculture sector, design a roadmap that will make agribusinesses attractive to youths across the country," he concluded.

Go pick your how's and join the team!

De Edge Farms

De Edge in Awka

The Edge Farms has opened a contact office in Awka.

All you need in and about agriculture. Push your contact @ De Edge Farms
Suite 6A, Plot 50, Obi Okoli Avenue,
Y-Junction, Okpuno,
Awka, Anambra State
+234 815 294 0648

De Edge Farms

1,000 Farmers Empowered

The Federal Government says that building capacities of Nigeria Farmers in modern agriculture is fundamental to the actualization of the nations self-reliant and sustainable Food Security/sufficiency.

To this end, well-over thirty two thousand (32,000) disease free improved varieties of Plantain/Banana nurseries/suckers have been distributed to about one thousand (1000) prime farmers including Women and Youth Entrepreneurs in four Pilot States in the Federation. The States include Abia, Delta, Oyo and Cross River among others.

The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina announced this through the Deputy Director, Horticulture Transformation Value Chain and the National Project Co-coordinator, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO-UN) in the Ministry, Mr. Michael Kanu during a-six day Trainer of Trainees Workshop for Farmers held in Abia State Capital, Umuahia, recently. The Workshop was entitled “strengthening Plantain/Banana production in Nigeria for Domestic Consumption and Export”.

According to the Agriculture Minister Dr. Adesina, the Workshop was organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the FAO-UN under the Technical Cooperation Project, aimed at mainstreaming horticulture in the nation’s engine of growth for economic diversity, poverty reduction, wealth and job creation.

The Minister expressed Nigeria’s profound gratitude to FAO-UN Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Louise Sethswealo for supporting the campaign for global food security especially, in Nigeria and urged it not to relent.

Earlier, the FAO-UN Country Representative who spoke through the Desk Officer, Technical Cooperation Project, FAO-UN, Mrs. Adeola Akinrinlola, observed that the Workshop was organized to acquaint Farmers in Umuahia, Abia State with the latest Plantain/Banana Production Techniques and Post harvest Technologies in order to make farming business a profitable venture.

The FAO-UN country representative disclosed that in a bid to accomplish the UN Agricultural support mandate to developing countries, improve in the technical skills of farmers to overcome production constraints and to establish pilot Field Planting Nurseries/suckers as a source of Tissue Culture planting materials beyond the project life time, FAO-UN provided a funding grant of $477,000 Dollars (N77m) to Nigeria`s FMARD to compliment the shortfall in her budgetary provision of $1.4m towards funding this project.

She gave her words that beneficiaries of the Plantain/Banana farmers Capacity Building Workshop should make maximum use of the knowledge gained from the Training session to chart a future for themselves as well as contribute to nation building.

Reacting, three Participants at the Workshop from the local Governments in Abia State, Mrs. Kenneth Kanu, Onuoha Chikwendu and Mrs. Mercy Okwum, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for showcasing the workshop; noting that they are better equipped now with exposure to new farming technology and promised to translate all they have learnt into practice for increased Plantain/Banana production.

Lectures on “Tissue Culture and Plantlet Production” and “Entrepreneurship and Business Management” of post harvest Plantain Production were delivered by two eminent Agricultural Scientific Consultants/Experts from the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Dr Sunday Akinyemi and Dr Awoyemi Taiwo to the participants

The highlight of the Workshop was the distribution and handover of about 100 improved Disease Free Plantain/Banana Nurseries/Suckers to each of the 100 Participants drawn from the LGAs to enable them develop private model Farms in their respective Communities.

The Workshop also witnessed the inspection of Sites for the establishment of Pilot Plantain/Banana farms in the four selected Pilot Local Government Areas comprising of Arochukwu/Ohafia, Bende/Ikwuano, Ukwa/Ngwa and Umuahia North and that of ADP Central Nursery for Abia State to serve as source replication centers for the State.

De Edge Farms

Eat Nigerian Rice, Create Jobs for the Youths - Maku

The Honourable Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku has called on Nigerians to show patriotism in the emerging rice revolution in the country and eat Nigerian Rice to develop the country and provide jobs for her youth.

Mr. Labaran Maku who inspected of Ebony rice Mill in Ikwo expressed delight on the activities of Ebony rice mill especially on how it has been able to come up with Nigerian rice devoid of stones and smell.

Briefing the National Good Governance Tour (NGGT) team, Chief Executive of Ebony Agro Industries Engr. Charles Ugwu said the company has been able to produce Nigerian rice based on its partnership with the Federal Government through the Public-Private-partnership (PPP) arrangement. 

Through the PPP initiative of the Federal Government, Engr. Ugwu revealed that Ebony Rice Mill has benefited from the N550 Million loan Rice Intervention Scheme with a four percent interest rate.

He also informed the team of a bigger rice mill which his company is working on in Adani, Enugu State which is expected to be operational before the end of the year 2013. Under the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme of the Federal Government run by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), he said the company has received a credit line of N1.2 Billion to buy paddy at 7% interest rate (compared to the normal interest rate of 18%).

The tremendous support of the Federal Government, according to Engr. Ugwu has greatly assisted his company, as the company could conveniently finance the stock and sustain the out-growers.

The government assistance, he continued, has also enabled Ebony Rice Mill produce Nigerian rice which could match the quality of any imported rice and could compete with any in the world.

In his response, the Minister said, “the new policy of government in agriculture is business driven which explain why the Rice Intervention Fund is given at four percent interest rate to rice millers”. 

He said it was a deliberate effort of government to ensure that Nigeria is self-sufficient in rice production, as it planned to ban importation of rice by 2015.

Mr. Maku assured Nigerians that under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government has a programme that is different from any agriculture programmes in the past, and that in less than one year the result has been manifest.

The Minister referred to the Ebony Rice Mill as an example of Public Private Partnership (PPP) efforts of the Federal Government and he called on other investors to make use of the PPP arrangement and develop the Agricultural Sector and other Sectors of the economy.

Mr. Maku also called the attention of the Media to the success of the government’s Public-Private Partnership initiative and the one digit interest rate on Agriculture loan as a morale booster which Engr. Ugwu accessed to increase his company working capital.

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Our Future Depends on Agriculture not Oil - Adesina

With oil being discovered in all nooks and crannies of Africa, sustenance of Nigeria’s pre-eminence can only be made through the black gold of the next generation – farming and agribusiness.

        With fast increasing population and the possible world famine, only nations that take agriculture seriously and feed themselves would rule the world in the next 10 years.

The Nigeria Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina gave this hint in Abeokuta – the Ogun State capital while addressing the 40th session of the National Council on Agriculture.

“Accept it or leave it, agriculture has overtaken oil and gas as the world’s bride and falls back to agriculture to compete in the emerging digital age adding that Agriculture holds the potentials for future of the world and told the experts that they must sensitize their States to come to grips with something more enduring and sustainable than oil and gas.

Dr. Adesina said 60% of all cultivable land in the world is in Africa and that Nigeria having the largest share of this land means providence is providing us yet another great opportunity to move ahead of the world, industrially, economically and technologically.

He said: "The future can no longer be in oil but something we have invaluable comparative advantage in and it has to be agriculture so there is no future for Nigeria without Agriculture”. 

De Edge Farms