Farmers set agenda for new agric minister

Nigerian farmers have set agenda for the new agriculture minister, calling on the current administration to pay adequate attention to their most pressing needs.
Investigations revealed that the top three needs of the farmers that require urgent intervention are access to inputs such as seeds, fertilizer and agrochemicals; provision of microcredit; and provision of extension services to help them on modern farming techniques.
Findings showed that the farmers are also in dire need of good market and guaranteed minimum price for their produce.
Other needs of the farmers which they want the federal government to quickly address are access to land, mechanized farming and provision of access roads to evacuate their produce from the remote farms to the markets.

Jatropha: What is it used for?

The Jatropha plant has in the last few years grown in popularity and acceptance due to its new found uses but many still are oblivious to this incredible plant.

It may be a common plant growing behind the house of the neighbor next door and treated like an irritating weed when it’s uses are not known but the Jatropha is more than that.

So what is the Jatropha?

The Jatropha goes by different names in different countries. In Nigeria, the Yorubas call it ‘Lapalapa’ or ‘Gbotuje’ or ‘Iyalode’

The Ibos refer to it has ‘Ncheogba’ while the Hausas know it as ‘Bindazugu’.

It grows in every place imaginable, even on waste lands.

What is the Jatropha used for?

The jatropha has many uses in today’s world.

Let’s start with the oil.

Why the fear of Jatropha farming is unfounded

I like writing a lot about Jatropha. That’s because anytime I am around farmers who deal in the planting or processing of this unique crop, they give out so much energy and enthusiasm, that I get drawn into the same passionate wave.

Let me restate here that if financial freedom with ease is what you desire as a farmer then your investment plan must include the Green Gold: Jatropha Curcas.

You may have heard that Jatropha is a source of renewable energy which is currently used for bio diesel which fuel standard diesel engines of cars, plants and even air planes. You heard right.

But what is so special about this plant? 

How to beat poor crop yield

Poor crop yield is one of a farmer's worst nightmares.

Worse than him losing his pension. Worse than him losing his wife to another man.
No grower prays to spend so much time, money and energy only to reap just a tiny fraction of what he expected.

It hurts. It irritates. It makes a man feel less than pig.

Harvest is the most exciting period in a farmer's life cycle. It can quickly turn sour however if produce that ought to be full and fat comes out scarce and thin.

Angry ancestors and mean gods used to bring the ill-wind of poor crop yields. But no more.
These days, a lot more boring factors are at fault.

Knowledge is key.

Is Nigeria ready for Organic Farming?

A friend of mine in Europe recently posted the poser at me on twitter and while I thought the question was absurd, I reckoned it was not polite to give him such a sharp reply. Rather, I asked him to visit the country more often. That sounded soft enough.

Well, I didn't intend this to be a piece on how I chastised an Ondo-born Belgian who has not been to town in ten years.