Food safety: Global call to reduce antimicrobial use in healthy animals.

World leaders have called for an urgent reduction in the amount of antimicrobial drugs, including antibiotics, used in food systems.

The Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance said countries must stop the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs to promote growth in healthy animals.

  Antimicrobial drugs are also given to animals for veterinary purposes to treat and prevent disease.

Mitigation measures
A top priority is to reduce the use of drugs that are of the greatest importance to treat diseases in humans, animals and plants.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria can make foodborne infections such as Campylobacter and Salmonella harder to treat. Experts said climate change may also be contributing to an increase in AMR.

Consumers can also play a key role by choosing food from producers that use antimicrobial drugs responsibly, according to experts Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization director-general, said the consequences of antimicrobial resistance could dwarf those of COVID-19.

“We need urgent action to win the race against AMR. The longer the world delays, the greater the costs will be, in terms of costs to health systems, costs to food systems, costs to economies, and costs in lives and livelihoods,” he said.

“We need to invest in human health, animal health, plant, food and environmental eco-systems to properly respond to the growing threat of AMR. Many countries have national action plans on AMR but too few are funded for implementation.

Agribusiness: Building a garri empire with innovative ideas.

  Echbee Foods, turning ordinary garri to extraordinary products. We are building a garri empire one recipe at a time providing nutritious food for children, empowering women and ensuring food security.

  Why garri? why not?  There is no home in Africa where garri is not on the menu at least twice a day, crunch the numbers and see the possibilities. If a larger % of the population eat garri, the cassava is here in the country, processing is done here then there is a market, a perpetual market.

 Introduction of garri to people is not necessary the catch here is to show how ordinary garri can be nutritious and affordable. Garri is easily accessible, affordable and a larger portion of the population are accustomed to the food.

Echbee foods thus decided to fortify what was already common in most homes to achieve our purpose of balanced meal with garri. Garri which is the most common by -product is food for over 800 million people in the world, thus fortifying the garri to produce a highly nutritious cereal can generate over 120 billion naira as revenue. 

  Welcome to the garri empire, a world of possibilities. We are changing the way people eat garri, one recipe at a time.

 The signature product of Echbee foods is our cassava flakes, which can be a snack or cereal.

 

  This is how most people drink #garri.

                                             #garri as  #snack and cereal.                                                 

Why drink #garri when you can have it #flaked? Follow us  for more mouthwatering recipes. For your next event try our garri puff-puff, cakes or finger foods.

Agribusiness: How to develop a gender -sensitive value chain.

  Gender equality to achieve zero hunger, food security and a sustainable food systems. Developing a gender sensitive value chain will entail mapping out activities within the chain and analyzing actions of operators and key players within the chain. 

 One of the approaches commonly used to access processes and actors contributing to food systems and to determine which actions to undertake is the value chain approach. Value chains are  key components of agrifood systems and to better understand gender- based constraints a mapping of activities are necessary.  

 Activities that will monitor tasks and those assigned tasks within the food production cycle such as interactive sessions with players within the food chain  use of surveys, questionnaires and gender -based focal groups are  important to pin point constraints and also provide a platform to champion necessary actions.

               How to conduct a gender sensitive value chain analysis.?

Choose the value chain of interest then :

 1)  Carry out a gender sensitive value chain mapping by going through all activities within the chain and matching tasks against gender.

2) Identify gender based constraints along the chain .

3) Analyze the gender based constraints  and proffer solutions.

   

Agribusiness : creating gender -sensitive value chain.

Gender equality is the fifth sustainable development goal(SDG) and to achieve zero hunger, food security with sustainable food systems there is the need for developing gender sensitive value chains.

 There is a gender -sensitive value chain frame work developed by Food and Agricultural organisation which has added 2 components to the core value chains. 

The frame work looks or analyzes the value chain based on individual and household level of involvement in the production circle.. This analysis will enumerate gender-based constraints along the production cycle as well as along nodes of production making it easy to proffer solutions.

  The adoption of the SDG goals and the execution necessitates the need to reshape and restructure our food systems to be:1) More inclusive of the marginalized population. 

2)Environmentally sustainable. 3)Capable of delivering healthy diets.

                 Why is gender relevant to value chains? 

48% of Agricultural labor force in the low income countries/ under developed/developing countries are women. 

The contributions of women to production and value chain development are usually not acknowledged,because  the services rendered are usually not rewarded with wages as most of the work are regarded as an extension of the domestic chores.

        

 

The analysis of operations and actors within the food chain and along the production cycle will show constraints encountered by players and also give an idea how to address the constraints.

 Women  within the value chain are challenged  in terms of access to land, livestock ownership, credit facilities,  access to information,access to technology and education. These constraints are fundamental and when tackled  will create  gender sensitive value chains were contributions of women will be highlighted, addressed and rewarded.

  Empowerment is the key to developing gender-sensitive value chains,where women gain power and control over their lives and acquire  ability to make strategic choices. 

Education is a chief component of the necessary action to stop  gender -based constraints  in value chains.

 Lets access the constraints in a value chain and proffer solutions.: Cassava value chain.

 

RED MEAT VALUE CHAIN: Processing And Packaging Options.

Red meat can be hygienically packaged and sold in meat shops. The packaging are usually of different parts or as specified by customers. The packaging can be in clear transparent bags that are air tight or the use of food trays for easy stacking in chillers. 

                    

Meat can be processed further by frying, this is packaged in beautiful handy packs . The packaging can be plates,trays or decorated bags. Women in beef processing  have various ways to prepare and process beef and beef products.

          

 Meat can be processed into beef jerky. This is done by cutting meat into thin slices, add spices then dry to produce the jerky. This delicacy is a spicy variety of  processed red meat popularly called, KILISHI.

 The export potential of this product is very high and the profit margin is high.  The  product is light ,easy to pack and very handy to ship out.

                                            

                                 

 Spicy beef jerky.

      Other processing options?  See                           

Agribusiness : leveraging on the franchise model in the red meat value chain to create wealth.

 How to grow your niche in the red meat value chain using the franchise model.Franchising as simple as it looks, its a powerful business tool for expansion , growth.  and wealth creation.

Franchising in the red meat value chain is an easy strategy to expand the red meat value chain, in terms of investors, unemployed youths and cattle merchants.

   Franchising in the red meat value chain using meat markets and hubs as our focus. You want to tap into the red meat value chain? want to have a meat market or hub in your area? you are young but want a side hustle or you are young and unemployed with interest in red meat business? Welcome to the red meat hub.

Franchising in the red meat value chain. How will you key in to the business? Take a trip to a registered abattoir and watch operations in the mechanized abattoir. Follow through the process and link up with operators that have a brand they promote or operators that just slaughter ,cut and package for you for onward delivery to your store.

 Scenario 1: abattoir operator has a brand that sells packed beef, and beef products. Meet the operator, discuss on franchising his brand in your neighborhood and beyond. 

The franchisee agrees to terms of operation and he starts to collect beef,branded by abattoir operator at minimal cost.  The advantage of this model is that franchisee provides outlet, pays for startup cost  ( employers) along side other logistics, the brand expands all over.

   

 Dr. Henrietta Ojuri, value chain strategist.

 Scenario 2: Abattoir operator has a beef brand that markets beef an beef products. The operator creates an  investment pool by rolling out investment plans by way of franchising. The investors pay a token to join the investment pool and the operator provides branded refrigerators for investors.  Investors collect specified amount of products without paying upfront but will remit money on specified dates as stipulated in the contract.

 Advantage here is there is a pool of investors creating brand awareness all over, there is a token payable by startup and this model will  attract young entrepreneurs in the red meat value chain.

Scenario 3: There is no brand you want to hook up with but still interested? Go to the abattoir, mechanized slaughtering and hook up with operator. Buy a cow, slaughter in the mechanized line, cut to different sizes(1kg/2kg) then get a cooling van/refrigerated van to transport meat to your location. The different stages attracts costs , so how do you rejig this model? Next time, we conclude.

Franchising In Agribusiness :Leveraging on this model to create wealth.

  Franchising, in lay terms means jumping on the success train of an established brand to start a profitable business. Franchising works in various types of business ventures with the common goal of expansion and wealth creation.

 A wise man once said "if you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go with people."  How does this relate to franchising? lets see.. You are an entrepreneur,you are starting your business : brand creation, awareness and customer segmentation is no small feat. It will take time, lots of money and hours of twigging the strategy. 

   The result you desire will surely come but at what speed? at what cost? how about man power? im so sure you get the drift. Franchising on the other hand shortens this curve, you know the niche you are interested in, study the profile of the key players and then jump on the train.

  This model or the cloned version of  franchising is used by big organisations to grow their brands while creating wealth for those involved. Why is Dstv or Gotv big? yes! franchising and the cloned version of franchising is the agent close to you. This is a win-win situation.,how about KFC? same story.

 

 Franchising in agribusiness:  opportunities abound to jump on the train and forget about overcoming inertia issues. #Join the moving train.

 Lets look at the poultry industry: your dream is to sell processed chicken but dont have funds to start and reach your goal?  How about red meat value chain? 

Look at the giants in the industry, check the group with the widest coverage, check the brands that are on popular demand, visit stores/ malls/do market survey then join the moving train. Start out as a franchise to your chosen brand,and grow the business..

    

 Dr.Henrietta Ojuri, Value chain strategist.

 You still have the dream to start your own brand? it gets better. Learn the ropes while selling another brand, accumulate wealth and come up with a new product also in the poultry value chain that popped up as a business idea from feedback from customers. The time to use the network you have created to increase your net worth is here. 

 Franchising in agribusiness : 1) reduce start up cost. 2) Labor is reduced. 3) cost of production is zero. 4) Cost advertisement is reduced. The company already has web presence, usually your shop address will just be included in the... available at following outlets. You will just link that to your own page and in comes customers with cash.

 Franchising in agribusiness is profitable but the franchisee must be innovative to ride on the brand's success.

 

How can investors in agribusiness use this model to empower youths while expanding the brand?  join me next time.

Agribusiness: building sustainable food systems using aquaponics.

  Aquaponics and  sustainable food systems.

Aquaponics is a method of farming and raising fish in the same spot, harnessing this opportunity will ensure a sustainable food system leading to food security. Reforms of the food systems requires innovative models to achieve goal of zero hunger.

Aquaponics farming involves raising fish and growing plants in the same space. This system if properly incorporated will ensure food security. The system maximize space and conserve water through recycling which reduces use of inorganic fertilizer thus saving money. 

Aquaponics system creates wealth by promoting fish farming and growing plants in same cubicle,thus creating job opportunities and food security. The system is a symbiotic one as the fish provides organic manure through the waste they pass out in the vats and the plants purifies water by removing the nutrients increasing oxygen concentration. 

The plants provide enough oxygen for the fish to thrive and the waste of fish gives nutrients to plants to grow and produce more oxygen,this unending cycle is the basis of the success of the aquaponics system. 

Learn how to set up

COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A LEARNING CURVE FOR FOOD SYSTEMS REFORM.

 Covid -19 pandemic disrupted the world system, the world was on lock-down leaving many people unable to meet nutritional needs, many more lost jobs and so many just barely survived on goodwill. The food supply chain was totally disrupted giving a glimpse into the needed reform in the food systems.

   The lock-down due to the Covid19 pandemic increased global food insecurity showing weak links in the current food systems resulting in various think -tanks on how to strengthen food systems by reforming the current strategy.

 The rapid response of government to cushion effect of pandemic by way of giving out palliatives to the vulnerable in the society as well as private companies supporting the government by way of cash donations and food items and logistic companies providing support during the lock down period has given insight into the pattern of food system reforms.

  The Covid 19 pandemic opened up opportunities to create more efficient food systems. The world food system changed immediately to digital approach leveraging technology. The food system changed to virtual markets and purchasing of variety of products that are easy to handle with longer shelf life.

 The reforms triggered  by the Covid 19 pandemic aligns with attributes of a functional food system which are: 1)Efficiency 2)Inclusion of small holder farmers , major players. 3)Vulnerable are targets 4)  Establishment of food banks 5) Functional distribution network.

  The revamping of the food systems arising from the Covid19 pandemic  shows reforms in the food system can be immediate while long term initiatives can be proffer solutions to  prevent future shock.

 Food system reforms..changing the narrative about food production,food processing and packaging distribution and marketing.

https://veterinarymedicineechbeebolanle-ojuri.blogspot.com/2020/04/food-security-and-safety-in-face-of.html

Cassava exports, prices jump on surging china demands.

  

Vietnam exported $256 million worth of cassava and cassava products in the first two months of the year, a 77.9 percent year-on-year increase, with China being the biggest market. 

 China accounted for over 95 percent of exports in January, with prices rising by 69 percent year-on-year to $242.2 per ton. 

 According to the Vietnam Cassava Association, a number of local processing factories face a short supply though the harvest season has begun. 

 Local prices are expected to reach record levels by the end of the harvest since most of it would be exported to China at high prices, which have reached $270 FOB at Quy Nhon Port. 

 China has huge demand for cassava as a replacement for corn, whose global prices are surging, to feed pigs.

AGRIBUSINESS: RED MEAT VALUE CHAIN.

 Red meat value chain is a lucrative business with potential for both local and foreign markets.. 

The red meat value chain  spans from the farm, to the processing of wholesome beef ,to export of by-products ,use of the waste for biogas and fertilizer.

The red meat value chain holds enormous possibilities with several sub units or subsections that can flood your  bank account with millions.

 The red meat value chain; interested in starting an abattoir? Are you thinking mechanized? fully mechanized or semi mechanized. 

 The choice depends on your project goal,are  you  thinking of starting small then scaling up? semi mechanized is for you.  Going all out? then fully automated is your choice.

 The difference between the two types of abattoir are the  machines, equipment and handling protocols. 

  

AGRIBUSINESS : How To Export Nigerian Vegetables To Foreign Countries.

Nigeria vegetable comes in various types they include Amaranthus (Tete) , Tel Fairia, ( Ewedu), Corchorus olitorius ( Ugu) Others are, Ukazi, Ugba, Bitter leaf, etc. Almost all the vegetable in Nigeria can be produced for fresh market in 4-6 weeks after planting. 

It can be produced all the year round depending on the availability of water. Globally, there is a huge demand for Nigeria’s fresh fruits and vegetables and the supply seems short, thus, there is the need for more involvement in agri-food exports from Nigeria. 

 You can export it fresh or dry. To export dry vegetables, you will need to wash before you take it to the machine for drying. You can dry it in a temperature of 42 to 45 degree. After the drying you will sort the bad ones and make sure the one you are sending is free from foreign particles. 

If you are exporting it fresh just make sure you it is free from foreign particles and it is ready for export. The dry vegetable is good for the US and far east while the fresh vegetable is very good for the UK market. 

 Vegetables can be preserved to prolong shelf-life by drying them using solar dryers. This method is safe and easy without loss of nutrients so vegetables get to destination in good condition.Farmers can also dry vegetables to prevent loss due to spoilage when harvest is plenty and demand is low. 

 This farmer uses this method to gather much profits while creating markets throughout the year. Dried vegetables can last for more than eight months without expiring/spoiling.

The inclusion of a solar dryer. into production has increased the shelf-life of vegetables from two days to more than eight months, allowing Kisii County farmer, Jared Otundo, sell his vegetables for longer and in faraway places. continue.

Echbee Foods : Wholesome beef.

Ensuring only wholesome beef gets to your table.

#foodsafety #foodsecurity # healthyliving. #Abattoir.

 

Agribusiness: food safety in Africa’s informal markets must be driven by consumers.

Listeria in processed meat products from South Africa, E. Coli in romaine lettuce in the US, Salmonella in eggs across Europe and Campylobacter in chicken liver pâté in Australia.

These are among the many pathogens and foods at the centre of recent food safety crises worldwide, estimated to impact as many people as infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB.

 But while deaths and illnesses from unsafe food hit countries worldwide, the incidences of these illnesses and lost lives are disproportionately high in Africa.

 Across the continent, tainted food kills about 140 000 people every year, and leaves 91 million more suffering from diarrhoea, tapeworm, hepatitis and even dysentery and typhoid.

 This is on course to become even worse as income growth and urbanization in Africa are enabling better, more diverse diets.

 Ironically, these healthier foods – such as dairy, eggs, meat, fruits and vegetables – are more likely to be contaminated.

#beef #abattoir #Lagosmeatreform #foodbank

Block chain and artificial intelligence disruption.

Block chain and artificial intelligence disruption. Learn all about blockchain and artificial intelligence, learn how to merge it in your industry. Read how it works in agriculture and agribusiness here. Register here

Agribusiness post Covid-19.

 Covid-19 meals on wheels project.

#

covid19, agribusiness , agriculture , food security.

 

Covid 19 and impact on food and agriculture

The impact of COVID -19 on agribusiness in Nigeria.

Agricultural financing and insurance opportunities for women and youth development in Africa

 Agribusiness just got a boost, find out how to access agricultural loans and  insurance opportunities. Join the webinar, its free.

        Register here

Ancient secrets to create wealth.

Health is wealth, a healthy person will create wealth. We can achieve a healthy status holistically or the orthodox way.

 Did you know that adding Cayenne pepper to poultry meal acts as an appetite stimulant,an antiseptic and digestive enhancement?

 Did you know that grounded pumpkin seeds are effective in control of tapeworms in laying birds ?

Did you know that giving ruminants dis canted water from grounded fermented corn is a source of probiotics?   This promotes growth of good bacterial in gut ..

 Did you know that ginger reduces stress? its an appetite stimulant and an antioxidant.

Did you know dissolving Vit C in water for your birds is an anti stress solution?

 Get more ,text vet to 35818. Read more tips.

How to use radio frequency identification for traceability in agribusiness.