Military
UK Boosts Efficiency Rice Production in Nigeria
UK Boosts Efficiency Rice Production in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom (UK) has assisted in the introduction to Nigeria Systems of Rice Intensification – SRI, a climate smart agricultural practice that would lead to efficiency rice production
The introduced system can lead to reduction of input costs by 50%, with less use of water, doubling yields for farmers and reducing GHG emissions.
A statement on Wednesday by the Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer and Comms Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Ndidiamaka Eze read that: “Since 2021, the UK Government’s LINKS programme implemented by Tetra Tech International Development has been piloting a couple of climate smart farming initiatives; helping farmers to increase yields and become more resilient in the face of climate change while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”
Eze said at a Climate Smart Agriculture results and lesson sharing event which held in Abuja on Wednesday, LINKS demonstrated that the project is starting to deliver impressive results, particularly the Systems of Rice Intensification – SRI, a climate smart agricultural practice which is a different way of producing rice that reduces input costs by 50%, with less use of water, doubling yields for farmers and reducing GHG emissions.
She explained that SRI involves early transplanting of seedlings and wide spacing to allow the plants to flourish, alternative wetting and drying rather than flooding and the use of organic rather than chemical fertilisers.
She disclosed that a further benefit for wider society is the overall climate impact delivered by SRI. Rice production traditionally produces methane (globally contributing approximately 2.5% of all human induced GHG emissions, roughly the same as international air travel) and this is set to grow in Nigeria with increasing consumption and production of paddy rice.
Speaking at Wednesday’s event, Team Leader, LINKS programme, Andrew Thorburn said: “Farmers were sceptical at first but after four seasons we now have over 26,000 farmers in Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa actively using SRI. The use of organic rather than chemical fertilisers equally meant that soil quality further improves every season which continued to deliver improved results as well as increased resilience to changing weather, especially flooding.”
British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, represented by the FCDO Climate and Nature Lead in Abuja, Martine Sobey said: “The UK Government has a strong focus on supporting Nigeria to deliver its international climate commitments,” adding that: “We are particularly pleased to note that the Systems of Rice Intensification – SRI reduces the GHG emissions produced by rice growers by as much as 40% and look forward to seeing SRI expand throughout Nigeria”.
At the event participants heard from farmers based in Kano and Jigawa who were trained to use the SRI method explain how the change had benefited their lives and that of their communities. They also heard from Silvex International, a LINKS partner and aggregator who is planning to expand SRI to over 1,000 hectares in the coming years that will ensure benefits throughout the value chain. With this positive start, SRI is set to help Nigeria on the road to rice self-sufficiency as well as improving the environment for all.
The LINKS programme – Powering Economic Growth in Northern Nigeria – is a £12m UK government funded programme designed to support the development of a vibrant, inclusive, and diversified economy in three Northern Nigeria States of Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa.
LINKS primary objective is to develop high potential pro-poor value chains supporting them to be productive, competitive, and attractive for investment at every level.
The programme has had two main areas of activity, which are Support for the growth of Climate Smart Agriculture to improve yields, build resilience among farming communities against climate change, as well as reducing the emission of GHG. In addition to SRI, LINKS is also working with 30,000 farmers in Jigawa state to pilot a regenerative farming project that will generate additional revenue from the sale of carbon credits; and the LINKS also works to encourage investment into its focal states, including working with businesses to help them develop plans to access finance for growth and development. Clients range from small holder farmers to high tech start-ups and large corporates.
UK Boosts Efficiency Rice Production in Nigeria
Two Teenage ISWAP Family Members Surrender to Troops in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Two teenage girls believed to be family members of ISWAP terrorists have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Military sources disclosed that the girls, identified as Tata Ahmodu, 16, and Adama Abubakar, 14, surrendered at about 1:35 p.m. on June 19 to troops of the 192 Battalion (Mechanised) deployed at Forward Operating Base Pulka.
According to preliminary findings, the teenagers escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Jongo area around the Dure general area within the Sambisa Forest axis.
The escapees reportedly told troops that sustained military pressure and lack of basic necessities within the camp contributed to their decision to flee the terrorist enclave.
Following their surrender, the girls were screened, documented and taken into custody by military authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
Security officials said the development reflects ongoing pressure on terrorist groups in the North-East, which continues to yield defections, surrenders and rescues of vulnerable persons.
They added that efforts are ongoing to sustain operations aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and restoring normalcy in affected communities.
Two Teenage ISWAP Family Members Surrender to Troops in Borno
Troops Repel Bandits Attack in Kaduna Community, One Civilian Killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 7 (Sub-Sector 71) Sanga under Operation Enduring Peace have repelled an attack by bandits on Ungwan Goma community in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Military sources disclosed that the incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on June 20 when troops responded to reports of an attack by unidentified gunmen on the community.
According to the sources, the troops, in collaboration with local youths, engaged the attackers and successfully repelled the assault, forcing the gunmen to withdraw.
However, during the confrontation, one civilian, identified as Mr. Yahaya Danladi, was killed.
The body of the deceased was handed over to Keystone Gwantu for necessary action.
Military authorities said troops have since intensified domination patrols and offensive operations within the general area to track down and possibly apprehend or neutralise the fleeing attackers.
They added that efforts are ongoing to restore calm and prevent further incidents in the affected community.
Troops Repel Bandits Attack in Kaduna Community, One Civilian Killed
Military
Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno
Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Military in Operation HADIN KAI has recorded another significant success against terrorist elements in Borno State, neutralising scores of insurgents and destroying a gun truck during a precision air interdiction mission.
Military sources disclosed that the operation was carried out on June 4 following credible intelligence and aerial surveillance over the Madamari general area in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to the sources, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, detected a group of about 15 terrorists who had dismounted from a gun truck and assembled under a tree within the target area.
Upon positive identification and confirmation of hostile activity, the platform designated the target and guided a strike aircraft onto the location.
“The strike aircraft executed a precise engagement on the terrorist gathering, resulting in the neutralisation of all the terrorists at the location,” the source said.
In a follow-up strike, the ISR platform tracked and designated the terrorists’ gun truck, which was subsequently destroyed by precision munitions. Four additional terrorists were neutralised in the process.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the operation revealed that surviving terrorists in the vicinity were seen fleeing in different directions in an attempt to evade further air strikes, indicating the effectiveness of the engagement.
The sources said that the successful operation is part of sustained air offensives aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their freedom of movement and denying them safe havens across the North-East theatre.
Military high command at Operation HADIN KAI reiterated their commitment to maintaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements and their logistics networks, in its ongoing clearance operations across the region.
Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno
Uthman allegedly assaulted by EFCC, says aide
Troops Arrest Three Suspected ISWAP Collaborators in Borno IDP Camp
Troops Destroy Terrorist Camps in Sambisa Forest Operation
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