The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) has produced brake pads, bumpers and other vehicle parts from Kenaf, a fibrous plant.

The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) has produced brake pads, bumpers and other vehicle parts from Kenaf, a fibrous plant. The brake pads and other vehicle accessories manufactured by FIIRO from the fibrous plant were displayed at the institute’s headquarters in Lagos during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FIIRO, Kenaf Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (KPPMAN), and the Crystal Entrepreneurship Centre. In her opening speech, Gloria Elemo, director-general of FIIRO, stated that the research that went into the production of motor vehicle non-mechanical parts was borne out of the institute’s quest to industrialise Nigeria. Elemo pointed out that research and development (R&D) was useless until taken to the market, buttressing that this led the institute to collaborate with KPPMAN and CEC to commercialise the parts. Nigeria has a population of 198 million, with about 12 million vehicles plying on its roads. It has estimated 10,000 car sales annually, a significant drop from 50,000 cars sold in 2013. The country does not produce brake pads, bumper and other vehicle parts manufacturers, with Star Auto Industries Limited, only brake pads manufacturing firm, shutting down in 2014. Dunlop and Michelin, two tyre makers, left Nigeria in 2008 on the back of high energy cost, inability to compete with second-hand vehicles and lack of liquidity, those knowledgeable about the firms said. If commercialised, the new vehicle parts are tapped to reduce Nigeria’s import bill and increase local input sourcing in the country

How ATASP-1 is enriching rural farmers along commodity value chains.

How ATASP-1 is enriching rural farmers along commodity value chains.Nigeria is blessed with 84 million hectares of arable land located across the country, but these arable land is currently under utilized due to negligence of the agricultural sector by successive governments over the years. Also, Nigeria has the potential to cultivate rice, Cassava and sorghum both for local consumption and export, but due to poor support of farmers by the government over the years, Nigeria is currently importing some of these crops and its raw materials for industrial use and household use. It is at the backdrop that Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase 1 (ATASP-1) had embarked in a mission to increase the production of some commodity value chain crops, and add value to the crops. How ATASP-1 is enriching rural farmers along commodity value chains.

AGRIBUSINESS : Recycle tyre business and poverty eradication.

AGRIBUSINESS : Recycle tyre business and poverty eradication. The effect of climatic changes are felt all over the world in varying degrees,with iceberg melting to extreme flooding,drought in other areas and severe hot weather in different regions. 

The call to save our environment by changing our lifestyle,work style and agricultural practices has been on for a while birthing different initiatives but all with a common goal to save the environment. Old tyres are usually collected and burnt in heaps thus polluting the atmosphere and also causing respiratory problems in man.

The burning which releases toxic gases to the atmosphere which contributes to the warming effect of the climate. Tyres can be recycled to prevent damage to our health and environment. 

AGRIBUSINESS : Recycle tyre business and poverty eradication. Tyres can be used to eradicate poverty by using it in agriculture as 1)fish tank .2)snail housing. 3) garden 4) farm see tyres have also found uses in furniture,building and fashion industry. 

 The reduce,reuse and recycle initiative is one of such drives to save our environment by changing our lifestyle. 

The initiative has turned various waste to wealth such as the recycling of tyres to wealth and eradicate poverty by creating jobs and valuable products. Tyres can be recycled to make schools that are durable and cost effective depending on the design. Millions of children all over the world are in dire need of shoes,this need can be met by turning tyres into shoes,creating jobs for members of the community as well as poverty eradication. 

 Tyres can also be recycles to basins, buckets and feeders for animals. Salim, Mahamud Mazur Rahman is recycling scrape tyres which he slices before he puts into shape. This way he feeds his family of six. The recycled tyre products, though rugged in looks, serve well for rough use and is more durable than the classy company plastic tyres. 

These recycled tyre buckets are basically used for fetching water from well, basins for feeding domestic animals.source Timberland,the popular shoe factory have an initiative ,which is the drive.recycle.wear where they turn used ,worn tyres to beautiful shoes. 

The company discovered that their footwear is a great opportunity to incorporate more recycled materials and reduce their environmental footprint. In 2008, they introduced an innovative recycled outsole made with crumb rubber from discarded truck and car tires. more

TELECOMMUNICATION AS A TOOL FOR FOOD SECURITY AND SAFETY.

The role of telecommunication as a tool for food security,food safety and sustainability. This is how to use telecommunication to trace,track and report food fraud thus promoting food safety.

This involves creating a platform , a central data pool of various farmers and agricultural value chain.This platform will be multifaceted, linking all the aspects of the agricultural chain thus providing a tracking and tracing model. This will be a planning tool,marketing tool and learning platform.

 The platform will have data of those involved in the various aspect of the chain,their location, the aspect of production they are involved in and the population of the animals.

This information will give data on vaccination/medication, so that at any point in time the health status of various sets of animals can be accessed.




The platform will be a vital tool for planning,because you know the number of birds in chain,the vaccines can be acquired, medications/vitamins can be sourced and distributed.

 The platform will be a marketing tool,where manufacturers of drugs,feed,farm tools can reach out to customers.Each chain operator will have a code,this will allow tracing,tracking and tailored medical interventions.

 The platform will grant open access to all strata of the chain; linking all aspects together so that customers can access all sale information on the site.

Training and learning will be available on site,with hand outs,webinars and interactive forum;where farmers can be tutored and also create an opportunity for interested farmers and investors to be trained.