Food and Agriculture
Experts Harp On Why You Should Regularly Consume Sugarcane
Some nutrition experts have recommended regular intake of sugarcane to boost immune system and prevent cancer and other diseases.
The experts made the recommendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
Mrs Olufunmilola Adewumi, Asst. Chief Nutritionist at the Orile Agege General Hospital, Lagos State, said sugarcane was rich in antioxidants helping to fight infections.
According to Adewumi, raw sugarcane does not contain fats, cholesterol, proteins and sodium.
She added that it contained significant amounts of nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin B2, magnesium, iron, potassium and phosphorus.
Adewumi said that sugarcane juice would be good for hydration, adding that it helped in weight loss, boosting of metabolism, improving digestion, preventing infections, fighting fevers and curing common cold.
“Its alkalinity makes it counteract the effects of hyperacidity, heart and stomach burns; it also helps in preventing cancer.
“It helps to reduce accumulation of bacteria and oil in the pores, thereby preventing acne; it is an excellent source of Alpha Hydroxy Acids such as glycolic acid used as an anti-aging and anti-wrinkle agent in creams.
“It is an effective diuretic: meaning it can keep kidneys functioning optimally, thereby preventing health issues such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections.
“Due to its low glycemic index, diabetic patients can enjoy it without any fear when taken in moderation. It prevents spikes in blood glucose levels,” she said.
Adewumi, however, cautioned against overconsumption of sugarcane juice to avoid stomach upset, dizziness, headaches and unnecessary weight loss.
The nutritionist also cautioned against drinking water after eating fruits, saying it hindered digestion and absorption processes.
She recommended taking of 200ml of sugarcane juice daily and waiting for an hour before drinking water.
Mr Soromtonna Okwuosa, Co-founder, Ambrosia Juice, told NAN that sugarcane juice was a natural instant energy booster.
“Boosting the immune system shouldn’t just be because of COVID-19; there are other diseases out there that are deadly.
“Lots of people don’t know that their lifestyle, what they eat or drink, has serious impacts on their health,” he said.
He said that high immunity would give a person greater chances of surviving a disease.
Okwuosa, who produces sugarcane juice, said that many people did not take it and enjoy its health benefits because of fear of complications from sugar.
He noted that busy individuals regarded as timewasting, sitting and eating the quantities of sugarcane juice they would need.
He recommended extraction of the juice and storing in refrigerators.
He said that adding flavours such as lemon, ginger and orange would give additional health benefits to sugarcane juice.
Okwuosa, however, cautioned against consumption of sugarcane juice after six hours of production if not stored in a refrigerator as it could have turned sour.
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Food and Agriculture
Kogi Vows To Invest More In Cashew Business For Job Creation, Others
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Following the current high rate of unemployment bedeviling Nigeria, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state has given an assurance that his administration will invest more in Cashew Business as alternative source of survival for the people.
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Ododo maintained that apart from job creation, Cashew Value Chain has the potential of boosting the state’s socio-economic and industrial development.
Governor Ododo gave the assurance while flagging off the 2026 Cashew Season and Unveiling of Kogi Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy, 2025, as well as Distribution of five million Hybrid Cashew Seedlings to Farmers, held at the Government House, Lokoja on Friday.
The launch was organized by the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA) in collaboration with Agro Trading Consult Limited (ATCL) to commence the activities of this year’s Cashew farming in the state.
According to Governor Ododo “My administration is encouraging investment in Cashew Production in large scale commercial as it remains the most valuable cash crops and a major player in wealth creation, socio-economic and industrial development of a given society.
“Our focus as a government should shift from emphasis in politics to large scale investment in cash crops especially Cashew Production, Packaging, Processing, Branding and Structured Grades”
He noted that Cashew could be used as food, medicine, industrial purpose, agriculture, and cosmetic amongst others hence the need for heavy investment in the sector in view of its enormous value to human existence.
The Governor warned against stakeholders who embark on unregistered and illegal middle men in Cashew Business and other mining activities in the state to desist forth with or be ready to face prosecution.
“Stakeholders should endeavor to follow due process by getting themselves registered as any person found violating this government policy will be made to face the full wrath of the law”
The Director-general of Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency, KOSCEPA, Victor Omofaiye in his welcome address, outlined the benefits of cashew to include; promotion of local cashew processing industries for job creation, enhancement of quality control and maintenance of Kogi’s reputation as a top cashew processing state, establishment of a structural and traceable cashew marketing system, increasing state revenue through organized trade and export levies and showcasing Kogi state cashew to the world.
Omofaiye also enumerated measures put in place to ensure Cashew Nuts quality control and regulation as follows:
*No foreigner is allowed to purchase we raw Cashew Nuts
*All buyers and exporters of Cashew nuts within Kogi state shall register with Agro trading Consult Limited in order to qualify for participation in the 2026 Cashew season
*The use of the Kogi state customized jute bag is sacrosanct, as without it no Cashew nut is permitted to leave the state
*All licensed buying agents must grant access for grading and inspection of all Cashew within the Agro Trading Consult Limited accredited warehouses for quality certification purposes
*Fumigation of all ATCL accredited warehouses for storing cashew is mandatory
*Payment of all regulatory levies is sacrosanct
*Shaking of cashew trees to reduce early harvest is strictly prohibited
Kogi State’s Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Muktar Shaibu, in his remarks, praised Governor Ododo policy on poverty reduction in the state through agriculture particularly in Cashew Production.
According to the commissioner “Kogi people will remain supportive of this laudable policy which has brought relief and smiles on their faces”
The Ata’Igala and President of Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty Matthew Opaluwa, who also spoke at the event, hailed Governor Ododo’s efforts to increase Farmers wealth through investment in agriculture.
His Royal Majesty who was represented by Onu Itobe, Chief Salifu Ocholi, declared the traditional Rulers solidarity and loyalty to Governor Ododo’s administration in view of his numerous achievements in uplifting the living standard of the people within the short period in office.
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Food and Agriculture
AFAN President Charges Members On Improving Capacity Of Farmers
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The National President of All Farmers Association Of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr Farouq Rabiu Mudi, has charged the state chapter of AFAN to double their efforts to improve the capacity of all farmers in the state.
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Dr Rabiu made the call at the inauguration of the state chapter of AFAN led by a retired Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi.
He said farmers in Kogi State had all the potentials to produce for the country and for export stressing that the state has enough arable land and favorable climate.
The President commended that the new chairman for his proven track record which he has exhibited in the inauguration of the state executive in a record time adding that if it is only those with capacity that can do such.
He admonished him not to relax but do everything possible to ensure that the all the farmers in the state no matter where the residue are are carried along.
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Food and Agriculture
Kogi L‑PRES Trains 300 Livestock Extension Workers, Farmers, Community Service Providers
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L‑PRES), has commenced a capacity‑building workshop to mainstream Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Participatory Learning Action (PLA) methodologies into livestock extension training for Livestock Development in Kogi State
The event, held across the three Senatorial Districts of Kogi State, gathered over 300 Livestock Extension Agents, Lead Livestock Farmers, Key Value Chain Actors and community service providers, among others.
While declaring the workshop open in Lokoja, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, expressed pleasure at the gathering, noting that livestock is vital to Kogi’s economy, food security, and poverty reduction.
He highlighted challenges such as limited extension access, inadequate technical skills, and low technology adoption, and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to empowering its workforce.
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Abdulsalam Hadi, the Commissioner urged participants to actively share experiences and learn for the benefit of farmers.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of Kogi L‑PRES Trains 300 Livestock Extension Workers, Farmers, Community Service Providers Mr Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza Otaru, said the training kicked off on Thursday in Lokoja for participants from Kogi West, continued on Friday in Anyigba for the East, and today, Saturday, in Okene for Kogi Central participants.
He said the workshop aims to strengthen participants’ ability to integrate PRA/PLA techniques into their extension / Advisory service delivery at Livestock Value Chain Clusters across the 21 LGAs of Kogi State.
According to him, it will improve the relevance and effectiveness of training programmes, address the specific needs of rural livestock farmers, and accelerate adoption of innovative technologies and Good Animal Husbandry Practices.
“The programme is structured as a “Train‑of‑Trainers” (ToT) initiative targeting 300 participants, including livestock extension agents, lead livestock farmers, and key value‑chain actors.
Mr Otaru noted that while Kogi L‑PRES initially recorded over 54,000 livestock farmers at baseline, a re‑validation exercise identified 32,000 genuine livestock farmers, declaring that the era of portfolio farmers without farms is gone in Kogi State.
He emphasised that the trained livestock extension agents and lead livestock farmers will cascade the training to at least 32,000 farmers across 64 Livestock Value Chain Clusters in the 21 local government areas of the state.
He noted that competent resource persons from the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), ABU‑Zaria, will facilitate the workshops, supported by a National Extension Service Specialist from L‑PRES National Coordination Office, Abuja.
Mr Otaru thank and appreciate the Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unwavering support toward empowering Kogi livestock farmers, enhancing livestock productivity, and ensuring the achievement of food security in the state.
He urged participants to engage actively, noting that the workshop should be a “contributory and participatory program” that will drive sustainable livestock management and long‑term community resilience, especially in underserved areas.
The Managing Director, Kogi State Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Dr Bello George Ogirima, described the training workshop as a crucial step toward building the Livestock Extension Agents and Lead Livestock Farmers capacity and strengthening adaptive strategies for livestock production.
He emphasized that livestock extension agents are key to quality extension/advisory service delivery at the agribusiness clusters and urged full cooperation to complement project goals.
A Livestock Extension Agent, Mr Johnson Olusegun from Mopamuro LGA, commended Kogi L‑PRES for prioritizing continuous training and retraining of extension agents and farmers, stating the workshop would empower them to address challenges hindering livestock value chains.
The workshop featured presentations from resource persons on topics such as Participatory Needs Assessment (PNA), PRA/PLA in livestock extension, Participatory Planning and Prioritization, Participatory Technology Development and Testing, and Monitoring & Evaluation Methods, among others.
The workshop is expected to mark a significant step toward mainstreaming participatory approaches in Kogi’s livestock sector, laying a foundation for scalable and resilient farming practices across the state.
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