Agriculture
Fish Production: NSPRI, Others Develop New Harvest Technologies
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo Of Gombe State (middly), inaugurating sale of fertilizer in Gombe recently
The Nigerian Stored Prod
ucts Research Instiute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Kwara State, the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos and the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, (NIFFR) New Bussa, Niger State have developed new technologies that will go a long way in enhancing fish farmers productivity and profitability as well as prevent post harvest losses.
According to a report obtained by our correspondent at the Port Harcourt office of NSPRI, Tuesday, the technologies include catfish cross breeding, post-harvest processing and marketing and sourcing local contents to substitute imported raw materials in fish feeds, amongst others.
The report indicated that at the presentation of reports to the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), the facilitators of the research that produced the technologies at the Ilorin NSPRI recently showcased their break through.
NIOMR presented detachable fish smoking kiln enabling hygienic collection of oil from smoked fish.
The Executive Director of NIOMR and Team Leader, Dr Gbola Akande explained that the kiln was capable of offering advanced processing techniques that provides process with better working conditions.
He said it also enables users to produce good quality and highly competitive smoked dried fish for local and international markets.
The kiln uses saw dust briquettes or charcoal and has a solar powered fan for even distribution of heat within the oven.
Similarly, the NSPRI which product was presented by Dr F.F. Olayemi showcased a detachable fish smoking kiln capable of using electricity, gas or charcoal, adding that the fish processor automatically has the three sources once purchased.
According to the report, the three models of the smoking processors developed for WAAPP are effective in drying catfish to safe moisture content as well as in fish oil collection.
The electrically powered kiln has the highest drying rate due to a stable temperature profile in the dryer.
It also developed a solar dryer tent for stock fish, which output can compete favorably with the imported stockfish in terms of nutritional and sensory qualities.
Also, NSPRI developed packing materials for marketing of processed fish according to the team leader.
“The study aims at developing effective packaging for shelf life extension in processed fish through the development of vaccum and composite packaging materials using locally sourced materials,” Olayemi said.
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.
The Niger State Government has mapped out 10,000 hectares of farmland in Gbapo Community of Katcha Local Government Area of the State for smallholder farmers to benefit from the state government’s agricultural intervention programme.
Two thousand out of the 10,000 holders of the farmlands have already received inputs.
At a flag-off ceremony in Yinti Village, the facilitator of the programme, Shinkafan Nupe, Malam Idris Usman Makanta, assured the farmers of increased distributions to the mapped-out ten thousand (10,000) farmlands if farmers respond positively.
He explained that the commencement of the two thousand is to measure the positive response of farmers before obtaining full-scale support.
Malam Makanta stated that this initiative aligns with the farmers’ initial commitment through Niger Foods, whose mission is primarily geared towards establishing efficient and profitable agricultural businesses to support the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s quest to boost agricultural productivity in the state.
He also commended Niger Foods for their steadfastness and resilience in the effective implementation of the input financing scheme.
Makanta reiterated the commitment of the State Governor in making judicious use of the arable land in the state.
Shinkafan Nupe, therefore, urged the farmers to support the Governor by using the inputs wisely so that the dream can be actualised.
The Gombe State Government has empowered a total of 573,429 farmers and entrepreneurs under the 4th phase of the GO-CARES programme.
The programme was officially flagged off by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in another major step towards alleviating poverty and supporting the state’s vulnerable populations.
The Governor, while inaugurating the disbursement in Akko Community of Akko Local Government Area, restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens in the state.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on GO- CARES implementation.
“The 4th phase of GO-CARES will directly and indirectly impact a total of 573,429 citizens across the state. Of these, 152,429 individuals will benefit directly through cash transfers, livelihood grants, agricultural inputs, and operational grants to small businesses”, he stated.
The Governor added that, “421,000 people will be indirect beneficiaries through infrastructural projects such as classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, WASH services, and rural infrastructure projects like culverts and drainages”.
Yahaya, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the state’s development.
According to him, “Earlier this year, on June 25, 2024, we flagged off the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides to less privileged farmers in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the 4th phase implementation of GO-CARES under Result Area 2”.
The Governor reiterated that these initiatives have had a significant impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the overall agricultural sector.
He explained that, “Today’s ceremony marked the simultaneous launch of activities under all three GO-CARES Result Areas for the 4th phase. These areas include: State Cash Transfer Grants: 2,500 direct beneficiaries; Labour Intensive Public Works: 2,700 direct beneficiaries; Livelihood Grants: 10,000 direct beneficiaries; and Basic Services: 405,000 indirect beneficiaries”.
