Sule, Balaraba Abubakar: MSU NAPP Scholar 2019; Lecturer, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai; and PhD Candidate, Federal University of Technology, Minna One of the major ways by which the gap between rice production and consumption in an economy can be bridged is through the expansion of land under cultivation and intensification on existing farmland (Laborte, 2012). In the case of rice in Nigeria, this can be achieved through the adoption of irrigation technology which, not only improves productivity, but allows for cultivation during each of the two distinct seasons. https://i1.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads.jpg A recent study on rice production systems in Kebbi State, Nigeria, has indicated that irrigated rice production systems are the most financially competitive. This is important because profitability is an
A research dissemination and brainstorming session on addressing the challenges of aflatoxin contamination along the maize value chain took place at the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Abuja on July 17, 2019. It was jointly organized by the Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project (NAPP) and NAFDAC.
By Mr. Chukwudi Charles Olumba and Mrs. Hephzibah Onyeje Obekpa “Train One to Train Others”: Project Scholars Train Nigerian Faculty on Using “R” for Data Analysis
Author: Balaraba Sule, Federal University of Technology, Minna/Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University Lapai and MSU Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project Scholar (2019) Since the late 1990s, West African countries including Nigeria, have experienced one of the highest rice- demand growth rates in the world. Rice imports, despite dwindling foreign revenues, has played a significant role in meeting the high demand for rice in the region. This has firmly placed rice on the policy agenda of several governments in West Africa. In Nigeria, the focus for several years has been on how to increase domestic rice production and improve its competitiveness with imports. As a result, several policies and strategies including direct investments along the rice value chain have been

Balaraba Sule, Federal university of Technology, Minna/Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University Lapai and MSU NAPP Scholar (2019) Coming to Michigan State University (MSU) for the first time as a Visiting Scholar of the Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project, one of the induction programs laid out was a visit to the main library at MSU. Friday, 11th January 2019 was scheduled for the exciting experience. Suzanne Teghtmeyer a librarian in the Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics discipline was the tour instructor. The first thing that struck me on entering the library was the large spacious entrance and the enveloping warmth more so as it affords me the opportunity to escape the cold weather! On arrival, we met with Suzanne who
by Chukwudi Charles Olumba PhD Candidate at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria & NAPP Visiting Scholar at MSU (2019) My status as a Visiting Scholar under the Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Policy Project (NAPP) at Michigan State University (MSU) was formalised with my arrival in East Lansing, Michigan USA on Thursday, January 3 2019 from Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Following my arrival at MSU, I completed registration formalities, attended orientation meetings and now settled to my academic and research work. On Friday, January 11, 2018, I visited the main library of MSU, where it dawned on me that research need not be a tearful experience! On arrival at the MSU Library, we (two other NAPP visiting scholars and

Hepzibah Onyeje Obekpa, University of Agriculture Makurdi and NAPP Scholar (2019) On January 11 2019, I walked through the Michigan State University (MSU) Library section on Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics. The library is well resourced; it is spacious, has functional internet access, adequate human resources (everyone appears very enthusiastic about their roles), an obvious wide array of literature – print and electronic, and commendable use of technology. The library has its ambience and a café for refreshment for students who get hungry while studying. The first stop was an introductory class in the computer room on how to access materials in the library. Each scholar has a Unique ID – Net ID and password. This introductory class is compulsory
Philip Hegerty James, University of Agriculture & NAPP Scholar at MSU (Fall 2018) Floodplain agriculture is critical to survival and economic development in the rural areas of Sahel West Africa.Source: commons.wikimedia.org Agriculture in dry land areas is vulnerable to failure, this is due to erratic rainfall and desert encroachment, hence the use of Fadama (Low-lying seasonally flooded areas or floodplains) lands to compliment upland farming becomes vital. This is important, particularly where irrigation facilities are minimal or non-existent as found in Sahel West Africa.