Tomato processing .

Tomatoes are healthy fruits with massive health benefits as they are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties, which is responsible for the deep red color of tomatoes. Food rich in lycopene will give antioxidant and is often associated with boosting our immune system by removing free radicals from our bodies thus decreasing the risk of stroke, lowering our bad cholesterol levels and preventing artery hardening. The tomato market is large and a lot needs to be done to prevent the losses currently experienced from farm to market. Investors in the chain can actually tap into value addition in the form of processing the fruit into other products that are also equally beneficial in terms of health and wealth. This is how to process tomatoes to extend shelf-life to increase profit and cut waste.

Herdsmen, farmers sign peace accord.

Herdsmen, farmers sign peace accord. Herdsmen and farmers in Gurusu community of Bosso Local Government Area of Niger have signed an agreement to promote peaceful co-existence among them. The meeting that produced the agreement was held at the Emir’s Palace in Bosso, with the herdsmen, farmers and other stakeholders within the council area in attendance. The forum was aimed at reconciling the parties over a portion of land between one Malam Audu, a Gbagyi man and Malam Bello, a Fulani man, who had lived on the land belonging to Audu for 15 years in Gurusu village.

Africa on verge of eradicating polio – WHO.

Africa on verge of eradicating polio – WHO. Africa is on the verge of eradicating polio if the current momentum is sustained through improved surveillance, vaccination and public awareness, a WHO official said on Tuesday. WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said the majority of African countries are likely to be declared polio free by 2019 if they step up prevention of and treatment interventions for the disease. “The African region had made tremendous progress towards polio eradication, from accounting for almost half of the global polio burden with 128 cases in 2012, to four cases in 2016,” Moeti said in a statement released in Nairobi.

Nigerian brewers dump barley for sorghum in hunt for local substitute.

Nigerian brewers dump barley for sorghum in hunt for local substitute.Cultivation of sorghum, an important cereal crop, is fast booming in the Nigerian market as brewers in the country are now using a larger percentage of the crop in place of barley for brewing beer and malt drinks. Brewers are also making huge investments in sorghum malting plants in the country owing to their hunt...

513 million tons of additional food production guaranteed- AfDB.

513 million tons of additional food production guaranteed- AfDB.The African Development Bank (AfDB) has developed a new initiative called the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative – a knowledge and innovation-based response to the recognized need of scaling up proven technologies across Africa. Already, 25 African countries have written letters to the AfDB confirming their interest and readiness to participate in TAAT, and help transform their agriculture. It will support AfDB’s Feed Africa Strategy for the continent to eliminate the current massive importation of food and transform its economies by targeting agriculture as a major source of economic diversification and wealth, as well as a powerful engine for job creation. The initiative will implement 655 carefully considered actions that should result in almost 513 million tons of additional food production and lift nearly 250 million Africans out of poverty by 2025. AfDB

3.4 Million People Suffer Malnutrition In North-east Nigeria – UN .

3.4 Million People Suffer Malnutrition In North-east Nigeria – UN. In a new report, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) says about 3.4 million people need nutrition assistance due to food crisis caused by the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria. In the report for the month of September, UN-OCHA Humanitarian Situation Report revealed that 2.7 million people were targeted for immediate intervention, adding that only 936,200 people were reached with nutrition support within the period under review. The report indicates that three Stabilization Centres (SC) were set up at Damboa, Dikwa and Ngala Local Government Areas to enhance management of acute malnutrition. It says some 60 health personnel were also trained in Borno and Yobe States to enhance operations at the stabilization centers.UNITED NATION

Lagos Assembly okays establishment of Institute for Cancer and Disease Control .

Lagos Assembly okays establishment of Institute for Cancer and Disease Control. A law to establish a cancer institute in Lagos State has been passed by the State House of Assembly. The House, at plenary on Tuesday gave final consideration to the Bill for a Centre that would conduct researches into cancer and other diseases in the State which to be established by the State Government. The Bill titled: “A Bill for A Law to Establish the Lagos State Cancer Institute to Provide for the Promotion, Aids, and Coordination of Researches Relating to Cancer and Disease Control.” was initiated by the Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa early this year and had passed through first and second readings as well as public hearing before it was eventually passed into law after the third reading Tuesday plenary.