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Experts from Nigeria, 4 Other West African Countries Trained on Improvement Model of Agriculture
Experts from Nigeria, 4 Other West African Countries Trained on Improvement Model of Agriculture
By: Michael Mike
The hope of increased yield, proper food production coordination, and sharing of experience among regional actors in the field of Agriculture brightens as the AGRHYMET Regional Centre in collaboration with Partners and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has organized a 5- day workshop for experts from English-Speaking Countries on the SARRA-H&O Model, in Abuja, Nigeria Capital.
It should be noted that the AGRHYMET Regional Centre was established in 1974 as a specialized institute of the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (abbreviated CILSS in French). This is a public inter-state institution based in Niamey, Niger with a mission to strengthen food security and increase agricultural production in member countries; it also contributes to improved natural resource management in the Sahel region, providing training and information to stakeholders and development partners in the field of agriculture.
Speaking at the workshop’s opening, the representative of AGRHYMET, Marshall Trawere, said the training was the fourth annual capacity-building programme strategically organized to improve Countries’ monitoring of the Agricultural campaign.
He said: “This workshop brings together 5 countries including Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone which are English–speaking countries.
“As you know, Sahelian Countries have been facing since 1973, an accelerated degradation of the environment and natural resources under the cumulative effects of recurrent drought desertification and human activities. This situation has led to a considerable reduction in productive potential, thus exposing the population to a precarious food situation.
“Thus, CILSS through the AGRHYMET Regional Center and with the support of technical and financial partners accompanies countries in the implementation and technical animation of the devices Early warning to provide regular and timely information essential for decision making in order to anticipate food and nutrition crisis. Among these arrangements for retaining the multidisciplinary working groups GTP), an Early warning system to identify areas and populations at risk of food and nutrition insecurity.
“As you know, national agricultural products are micro-economic, social and existential aggregates for countries and regions, for stability and food safety monitoring. This information allows our regional and national decision-makers to guide policies and strategies for self–sufficiency and food sovereignty. This is why it is very important for our national actors in charge of producing food and nutrition security information to have tools to enable them to achieve these objectives.
“This capacity-building training workshop on the SARRA-H&O model of crop yield monitoring and estimation is in line with our institution’s mission. It aims mainly at sharing experience with the national framework in the field of agricultural campaign monitoring by an agronomic model, hydrological monitoring, monitoring of water balance and crop yield forecast, and pastoral monitoring.
“This SARRA-H&O model which is a fairly dynamic agronomic model is currently at the forefront of production estimation models. It has been developed jointly by CIRAD and AGRHYMET Regional Centre for several decades. The model is being developed to take into account other crops that are important for the region, such as rain-fed rice, cowpea, groundnut, and tubers”, he said.
The AGRHYMET representative thanked the partners such as CILSS (NPFS), USAID through PRASSAR for their support of the organization.
Speaking also, Mr. Amu Anthony from the Department of National Programme on Food Security highlighted various efforts and strategic initiatives of the present administration in Nigeria aimed at ensuring national food security and called for concerted efforts in the use of modern tools and synergy among stakeholders.
In the same vein, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof. Charles Anosike who was represented by Dr. James Adamu, emphasized the importance of the workshop and urged participants to take advantage of the skill that will be provided at the training to improve food security in their various Countries and Agencies.
Cross section of participants at the workshop commended AGRYMET and its partners for the training and promised to make judicious use of the knowledge that will be gained to create the desired positive shit in food production in their countries.
Experts from Nigeria, 4 Other West African Countries Trained on Improvement Model of Agriculture
News
NEDC finance director takes development to improve living conditions of people in Yobe
NEDC finance director takes development to improve living conditions of people in Yobe.
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Director of Finance and Admin. of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Dr. Abubakar Garba Illiya, PhD, FMNG, has made numerous achievements in providing infrastructure facilities to improve the living conditions for the people of Yobe State since he was appointed to that position

The developmental projects provided by Dr. Garba Illiya include the construction and rehabilitation of schools, primary healthcare centers, and water supply in both rural and urban areas with a view to improving the livelihoods of the people of Yobe State.
Dr. Abubakar Garba Illiya, PhD, FMNG, also constructed and rehabilitated numerous rural roads in some local government areas across the state to facilitate the movement of goods and services.
However, Dr. Illiya also accords the same commitment to the schools by procurement of instructional materials as well as construction and rehabilitation of schools destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency across the northeast region.
“Dr. Illiya’s intervention, the NEDC, has contributed tremendously to increasing food sufficiency and food security in Yobe State and the North East by procuring farm inputs and implements as well as providing enough fertilizers and tractors to farmers.

He also assisted youths and women with the capital for business with empowerment initiated for self-employment and also distributed foodstuffs and other humanitarian assistance to Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the region.
Dr. Abubakar Garba Illiya further sent youths for training in different categories, like training in phone repairs, welding, tailoring, carpentry, and others, to be self-reliant and assisted them with take-off funds for capital businesses.
He made all these achievements with a view to improving the lives of the peoples of Yobe State and the northeast region after recovery from the Boko Haram insurgency destruction.
NEDC finance director takes development to improve living conditions of people in Yobe
News
Police neutralise three bandits in Benue , rescue senator after attack on convoy
Police neutralise three bandits in Benue , rescue senator after attack on convoy
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Benue says have neutralised three suspected bandits during a gun battle following the killing of a 67-year-old man in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.
Security sources said the incident occurred on March 7 at about 7:30 p.m., when armed bandits loyal to a local kingpin identified as “Chen” had abducted one Zaki Sughter Agenbeer, 67, from his residence in Une Tongov community.
The attackers reportedly took the victim into the bush and killed him after accusing him of providing information about their activities to security agencies.
The DPO Katsina-Ala, in collaboration with the DPO Ukum, subsequently mobilised patrol teams and tactical units to the area. Police operatives later engaged the bandits in a gun duel during which three of the suspects were neutralised.
The corpse of the slain victim was recovered and deposited at the Zaki Ibiam Hospital mortuary, while security operatives have commenced a combing operation in nearby bushes to track down other fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the police also confirmed an attack on the convoy of Sen. Udende Emmanuel, representing Benue North-East Senatorial District, during a visit to Tsua town in Vandekiya Local Government Area for a church service.
Sources said some youths from Vandekiya allegedly attacked the senator’s convoy and damaged one of the vehicles.
The Divisional Police Officer in Vandekiya quickly mobilised to the scene and successfully rescued the senator from the situation.
In a related development, some youths also disrupted a thanksgiving service at Tsemke Church in Vandekiya, destroying plastic chairs before police intervened.
Police authorities said the swift deployment of operatives helped to de-escalate the tension and restore normalcy in the area.
Additional patrol and tactical teams have been deployed to Vandekiya to ensure law and order and facilitate the arrest of those responsible for the disturbances.
The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has commenced investigations into both incidents.
Police said the general security situation across Benue State remains relatively calm, while security agencies continue monitoring developments.
Police neutralise three bandits in Benue , rescue senator after attack on convoy
News
Heavy gun battle in Kukawa in Borno leaves casualties on both sides, arms recovered from camp
Heavy gun battle in Kukawa in Borno leaves casualties on both sides, arms recovered from camp
By: Zagazola Makama
A heavy gun battle between troops and suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State has resulted in casualties on both sides, security sources said on Monday.
The clash occurred when insurgents reportedly attacked a military camp, prompting troops to engage in a prolonged firefight. Security operatives said exploitation of the camp is still ongoing.
According to sources, items recovered from the insurgents’ positions within the camp include bandoliers of PKT rounds, one AK-47 rifle, one BHT machine gun, two mortar bombs, and four hand grenades.
Sources noted blood stains and drags outside the camp, suggesting insurgent casualties during the encounter.
In a related development, troops reportedly intercepted an injured BHT fighter in the community who was being brought to the camp. The suspect attempted to escape, prompting additional gunfire, the sources said.
Sources said the situation remains under control, with troops continuing to secure the area and conduct follow-up operations to track remaining insurgents.
Further updates on casualties and operational outcomes are expected as clearance operations continue in the theatre of operations.
Heavy gun battle in Kukawa in Borno leaves casualties on both sides, arms recovered from camp
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