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Rice Mills Close Shop Over Paddy Scarcity In Kano

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Rice Mills Close Shop Over Paddy Scarcity In Kano

 

Alhaji Dalhatu Abubakar, the Chairman of the Northern Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture on Monday raised alarm over the scarcity of raw materials that is currently forcing Miller’s to shut down.

 

According to Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Nigeria is presently the largest producer of rice in Africa, producing about 8,435,000 tonnes annually, followed by Egypt, Madagascar, Tanzania and Mali.

 

Dalhatu Abubakar who is also the Chairman, Al-Hamsad Integrated Rice Mill told Reporters in his office that the implication of paddy scarcity would forced increase in the price of finish rice, which would further mitigate activities of smugglers.

 

The soft spoken Industrialist expressed fear that food insecurity may hit its worst level in Nigeria if the present scarcity of paddy, a major raw material for the production of finish rice persist.

 

Abubakar stressed that several millers have cutdown production from 24 to 12 hours while laying off factory workers who are, by no means, rendered redundant.

 

He therefore called on the Federal government intervention on the area of mechanization and assisting the farmers with needed input that would enable all year round production.

 

According to him, “Today hundreds of millers both the integrated and small scale are in serious dilemma and finding it extremely difficult to break even. It is difficult to sustain production now because of scarcity of paddy. As I speak, I know many millers that have completely closed their factories.

 

He disclosed that “those that are yet to close because they still have limited paddy in their reserve cannot operation 24 hours. Like me, I have reduced my production to 12 house because I don’t have paddy. By implication, several workers will be rendered jobless.”

 

Dalhatu Abubakar revealed that “Where ever you see paddy now, you buy it at exorbitant prize and you will still be compelled to face high cost of Fuel, pay tax, electricity bill. How many factory would survive this hard economy. The only hard way now is, the cost of finish rice which Nigerians will soon face,” Abubakar noted.

 

He stressed that “Besides the dearth of the raw material, larger percentage of integrated Rice millers in Kano are presently sourcing paddy at exorbitant prize now at N400,000 per tone, the same quantity previously sold for N330,000 in June, 2023, in other to meet the high market demand.”

 

Alhaji Abubakar explained “that alone may lead to increase in the cost of local finish product and if allowed unattended, will give raised to demand for foreign rice thereby cripple the relative success the Federal government has recorded in local rice security in the last eight years.

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Agriculture

Food Safety: NOA, NAFDAC, SON Collaborate in Kano to Combat Hazardous Chemicals in Food

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The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kano has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of using harmful chemicals for food preservation.

The rally took place at Na’ibawa Fruits, Dawanau Grains, and Yankaba Vegetable Markets in Kano metropolis.

In his address, the Kano State Director of NOA, Alh. Rabi’u Ado, emphasized that the initiative was aimed at safeguarding public health and promoting proper standards in the food business.

The Assistant Director of the Kano office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who represented State Coordinator Dr. Danladi Abba, warned traders against the use of calcium carbide and other dangerous chemicals in food preservation.

He noted that such chemicals could cause cancer and harm vital organs, assuring that NAFDAC would take strict action against offenders.

Representing the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Oliver Panyi Abraham assured the public that the agency would ensure chemicals were used only for their intended purposes, strictly following safety guidelines.

Also speaking at the event, the President of the Dawanau Market Development Association, Alh. Muttaka Isa, and the Secretary of the Nigerian Fruits Sellers Association, Kano branch, Alh. Adam Mohd, pledged their support for NOA, NAFDAC, and SON in the fight against harmful practices in the state.

Meanwhile, the Health Educator of Kumbotso Local Government, Malam Nasir, urged fruit traders to uphold hygienic practices, maintain cleanliness in their environment, and avoid open defecation near the market.

 

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FG trains laboratory technicians , technologists on soil health card scheme

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The Federal Government has commenced training for laboratory technicians and technologists on the use of Soil Health Card (SHC) modules in a bid to enhance soil management practices across the country.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday in Kano, the Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Mr Oshadiya Olanipekin, said the objective of the sensitization was to train technologists and technicians on the mode of operation of the soil health card scheme.

He noted that the training was aimed at equipping laboratory personnel with the necessary skills to assess soil health and give recommendations to farmers.

Olanipekun added that the training covered various aspects of soil health analysis, including conducting soil tests, interpreting results, and providing farmers with recommendations based on the findings.

The Director also highlighted the importance of the SHC initiative in supporting farmers with accurate soil data.

“Soil health is crucial for sustainable agriculture. By ensuring that laboratory technicians and technologists are well-trained on the use of SHC modules, we are taking a vital step toward improving soil quality and enhancing food security in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the engagement with some of the stakeholders would also contribute to developing a comprehensive soil health card scheme for Nigerian farmers.

Olanipekun urged the participants to ensure the effective implementation of the SHC system, noting that it will not only benefit farmers but also contribute to the long-term health of Nigeria’s agricultural land.

He urged farmers in Kano and the country as a whole to take their soil samples to laboratories in order to reduce farming cost and improve agricultural productivity.

Earlier, Managing Director of Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) Dr Faruk Kurawa,emphasized the significance of accurate soil testing.

“Proper soil analysis and timely recommendations can greatly improve crop yields and help prevent land degradation,” he explained.

Kurawa added that the widespread adoption of the SHC program would lead to improved agricultural practices and greater food security for Nigeria.

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FG trains laboratory technicians , technologists on Soil Health Card Modules

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Federal Government has commenced training for laboratory technicians and technologists on the use of Soil Health Card (SHC) modules in a bid to enhance soil management practices across the country.
Speaking at the event on Wednesday in Kano, the Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Mr Oshadiya Olanipekin, said the objective of the sensitization was to train technologists and technicians on the mode of operation of the soil health card scheme.
He noted that the training was aimed at equipping laboratory personnel with the necessary skills to assess soil health and give recommendations to farmers.
Olanipekun added that the training covered various aspects of soil health analysis, including conducting soil tests, interpreting results, and providing farmers with recommendations based on the findings.
The Director also highlighted the importance of the SHC initiative in supporting farmers with accurate soil data.
“Soil health is crucial for sustainable agriculture. By ensuring that laboratory technicians and technologists are well-trained on the use of SHC modules, we are taking a vital step toward improving soil quality and enhancing food security in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the engagement with some of the stakeholders would also contribute to developing a comprehensive soil health card scheme for Nigerian farmers.
Olanipekun urged the participants to ensure the effective implementation of the SHC system, noting that it will not only benefit farmers but also contribute to the long-term health of Nigeria’s agricultural land.
He urged farmers in Kano and the country as a whole to take their soil samples to laboratories in order to reduce farming cost and improve agricultural productivity.
Earlier, Managing Director of Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) Dr Faruk Kurawa,emphasized the significance of accurate soil testing.
 “Proper soil analysis and timely recommendations can greatly improve crop yields and help prevent land degradation,” he explained.
Kurawa added that the widespread adoption of the SHC program would lead to improved agricultural practices and greater food security for Nigeria.
Some of the participants who spoke to our correspondent expressed their appreciation for the training, with many highlighting its practical relevance to their daily work.(

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