Palm oil pushes global food prices up in April; cereal production outlook improves – UN

5 May 2016 – Global prices of key staple food commodities rose in April, marking a third consecutive monthly increase after four years of decline, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 151.8 points in April, a 0.7 per cent increase from March. That is about 10 per cent below its level of a year ago and more than a third off its 2011 highs.

New season production prospects improve, stocks to remain high - FAO

FAO’s current forecast for world cereal production in 2016 stands at nearly 2 526 million tonnes, virtually unchanged from 2015 and fractionally above the volume predicted in April. The monthly revision resulted almost entirely from improved prospects for wheat production, now anticipated to hover around 717 million tonnes in 2016, that is 4 million tonnes higher than foreseen last month, but still 2.2 percent (16 million tonnes) below the 2015 record. The month-on-month upward revision of global wheat production mainly reflects an improved outlook in Europe, where favourable winter weather bolstered yield expectations in the EU, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Increases in these countries

Lagos set to increase food production by 25%

The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Toyin Suarau has reiterated the resolve of the State government to increase the aggregate food supply of the State from less than 15% to 25% within the next four years through various projects and programmes.

Suarau who disclosed this while giving account of achievements of the Ministry of Agriculture at a press briefing to commemorate the first year in office of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration in Lagos noted that the aggregate food supply internally is less than 15% of total food consumption but added that the State is poised to increase this to 25% within the next four years.

Nigeria: Herdsmen Must Be Disarmed Immediately - Ogbe

There is tension in many parts of the country over the rampaging herdsmen who have killed several thousand innocent Nigerians, raped and kidnapped others. They attack their victims in farms, homes, and along the way.

In this interview, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, said the herdsmen must be disarmed, immediately. He said that the federal government has already 5, 000 hectares of land in nine states for ranching to stop cows from moving from place to place.

He also spoke on other issues affecting the sector and why the nation must stop food importation. Excerpts:

Nigeria: Emefiele's Devt Focus Wheat Production, Wheat Production

Recently, the Governor of the Central Bank Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh were in Kebbi State to inspect wheat and rice farms under the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Led by the Governor of Kebbi, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, Mr. Emefiele and the team carried an on-site assessment tour of some the large farms operated by the over 70,000 farmers being encouraged under the program.

Agriculture Suffered 40 Years Of Neglect – Ogbeh

The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu  Ogbeh, has tasked heads of agencies under the supervision  of the ministry to settle down quickly to work because activities in the agricultural sector would commence with full speed immediately the ministry’s budget is released.

This is even as he lamented that issues related to agriculture had been left 40 years behind.

AGRICULTURE IN NIGERIA SET TO GO SMARTER

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is agricultural practices that improves productivity, resilience and adaptation, as well as contribute towards reduction of greenhouse gas emission. Climate Smart Agriculture could lead to overall increase in food production and food security. It brings novelty to the already existing agricultural known practices as a result of change in climate.

Bill for Food Security passes second reading

A Bill for Food Security in Nigeria which was sponsored by Senator Theodore Orji (PDP), Abia Central Senatorial District has passed second reading at Tuesday’s plenary.

In his lead debate, Orji submitted that Nigeria was one of the few countries of the World that had no legal