Rice cultivation booms in Anambra and Ebonyi
. . . States benefiting from rice ban and CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme
. . . Farmers return to abandoned farmlands in Eboyi
. . . Modern mills, farms spring up in Anambra

Rice production, vastly gaining traction in several states in the north of Nigeria, is also gathering momentum in the south, as some states in the SouthEast and South-South expand on their cultivation and milling potentials.

In two of the states visited by BusinessDay – Ebonyi and Anambra - several thousands of land acreage are now being committed to boost rice production, while some farmers who ceased cultivation for over a decade, when importation held sway, have returned to the land.

“I stopped farming rice for more than 15 years but the ban imposed on rice importation has made me go back to farming,” said Sunday Oketa, chairman of rice farmers in Nkeleke Unuhu community, Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State.

“Importation of foreign rice was responsible for the made in Nigeria rice becoming relegated, but since the ban on rice importation, we farmers have been encouraged to return to our farms and cultivate more rice,” Oketa added.

The Nigeria Customs Service, in March this year, implemented a ban on rice importation through the land borders, while imports through the ports are allowed, subject to payment of extant charges, as the country’s foreign exchange could no longer sustain the over $1 billion being spent on importation annually.

Production in the two states is getting an additional boost from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP). In Ebonyi, where 11,000 rice farmers have been captured into the ABP net, 3,000 have been certified for receipt of funds and input. Anambra’s figures have not been provided, but it is expected that the situation would not be different.

“This year, we are expecting unprecedented bumper harvests of rice like no other in the history of this state,” gushed Uchenna Orji, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Agriculture, in an interview.
“Actually, our target is 500,000 metric tonnes, but I am sure that because of some challenges, particularly with starting late, we might not meet it. What is important is that all we are going to produce in Ebonyi state will be processed here,” said Orji.

He added: “When we came on board, we saw that the potential of Ebonyi State for rice production was not being met, so we had to devise a means and our target was to get a minimum of 200, 000 metric tonnes of paddy rice this year.

“What we did was to really commercialise rice production and mechanise it and that paved way for its attractiveness to the youth and to our women. We also initiated a one man one hectare policy.”

In Anambra, government officials report that the state has reached its target of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production. Its rice production for this year has been put at 236, 000 metric tonnes, surpassing the earlier projection of 210, 000 metric tonnes per annum.
The calculation is based on expected yields of 35 per cent of about 14,300 farmers and the activities of programmes such as the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and FADAMA.

In Anambra, hitherto less popular as a rice-producing state, a lot of land being committed to rice cultivation. Apart from the thousands of smallholder farmers whose rice cultivation is being stepped up, large-scale farming is also taking off. One of these is Coscharis farms, which currently has 3,000 hectares of land for rice production, out of which about 2,200 has been cultivated on its fully-mechanised plantation.

Godwin Umeaka, managing director, Coscharis Farms, told BusinessDay that the farm is projected to expand into 10,000 hectares as part of its future plans, which also include the establishment of a rice milling and processing facility.
Different mills are also springing up in different parts of Anambra, to cater to the processing needs of rice farmers in the state.

Akai Egwuonwu, chairman, Stine Industries Nig. Ltd, which produces the “Anambra Rice” brand, said that its rice mill was set up to bridge the gap between the imported rice and local production, with a view to taking over from rice importation after some time.

The 440-tonne per day mill, with 158,000 metric tonnes annual production capacity, and a storage capacity of 300, 000 metric tonnes, operates three different lines which are run through different shifts all-day.

“The Anambra rice is in high demand; most times we receive payments for orders two weeks ahead of delivery,” Egwuonwu told
BusinessDay.

Source: http://www.businessdayonline.com/rice-cultivation-booms-in-anambra-and-ebonyi/

Pic 1: Ebonyi rice world
Pic 2: Anambra rice

Rice cultivation booms in Anambra and Ebonyi
. . . States benefiting from rice ban and CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme
. . . Farmers return to abandoned farmlands in Eboyi
. . . Modern mills, farms spring up in Anambra

Rice production, vastly gaining traction in several states in the north of Nigeria, is also gathering momentum in the south, as some states in the SouthEast and South-South expand on their cultivation and milling potentials.

In two of the states visited by BusinessDay – Ebonyi and Anambra - several thousands of land acreage are now being committed to boost rice production, while some farmers who ceased cultivation for over a decade, when importation held sway, have returned to the land.

“I stopped farming rice for more than 15 years but the ban imposed on rice importation has made me go back to farming,” said Sunday Oketa, chairman of rice farmers in Nkeleke Unuhu community, Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State.

“Importation of foreign rice was responsible for the made in Nigeria rice becoming relegated, but since the ban on rice importation, we farmers have been encouraged to return to our farms and cultivate more rice,” Oketa added.

The Nigeria Customs Service, in March this year, implemented a ban on rice importation through the land borders, while imports through the ports are allowed, subject to payment of extant charges, as the country’s foreign exchange could no longer sustain the over $1 billion being spent on importation annually.

Production in the two states is getting an additional boost from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP). In Ebonyi, where 11,000 rice farmers have been captured into the ABP net, 3,000 have been certified for receipt of funds and input. Anambra’s figures have not been provided, but it is expected that the situation would not be different.

“This year, we are expecting unprecedented bumper harvests of rice like no other in the history of this state,” gushed Uchenna Orji, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Agriculture, in an interview.
“Actually, our target is 500,000 metric tonnes, but I am sure that because of some challenges, particularly with starting late, we might not meet it. What is important is that all we are going to produce in Ebonyi state will be processed here,” said Orji.

He added: “When we came on board, we saw that the potential of Ebonyi State for rice production was not being met, so we had to devise a means and our target was to get a minimum of 200, 000 metric tonnes of paddy rice this year.

“What we did was to really commercialise rice production and mechanise it and that paved way for its attractiveness to the youth and to our women. We also initiated a one man one hectare policy.”

In Anambra, government officials report that the state has reached its target of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production. Its rice production for this year has been put at 236, 000 metric tonnes, surpassing the earlier projection of 210, 000 metric tonnes per annum.
The calculation is based on expected yields of 35 per cent of about 14,300 farmers and the activities of programmes such as the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and FADAMA.

In Anambra, hitherto less popular as a rice-producing state, a lot of land being committed to rice cultivation. Apart from the thousands of smallholder farmers whose rice cultivation is being stepped up, large-scale farming is also taking off. One of these is Coscharis farms, which currently has 3,000 hectares of land for rice production, out of which about 2,200 has been cultivated on its fully-mechanised plantation.

Godwin Umeaka, managing director, Coscharis Farms, told BusinessDay that the farm is projected to expand into 10,000 hectares as part of its future plans, which also include the establishment of a rice milling and processing facility.
Different mills are also springing up in different parts of Anambra, to cater to the processing needs of rice farmers in the state.

Akai Egwuonwu, chairman, Stine Industries Nig. Ltd, which produces the “Anambra Rice” brand, said that its rice mill was set up to bridge the gap between the imported rice and local production, with a view to taking over from rice importation after some time.

The 440-tonne per day mill, with 158,000 metric tonnes annual production capacity, and a storage capacity of 300, 000 metric tonnes, operates three different lines which are run through different shifts all-day.

“The Anambra rice is in high demand; most times we receive payments for orders two weeks ahead of delivery,” Egwuonwu told
BusinessDay.

Source: http://www.businessdayonline.com/rice-cultivation-booms-in-anambra-and-ebonyi/

Pic 1: Ebonyi rice world
Pic 2: Anambra rice

It’s Christmas, season of love and exchange of gifts. It is a time we can find ourselves stuck trying to figure out the perfect gift to give our loved ones. Where you searching for something luxurious for the classy man? Below are 10 luxury accessory gift ideas you can get your hubby, brother, dad, nephew….

5. Brogue Shoes



Brogues are somewhat the shoe trend of 2015. There’s something very appealing about a fine pair of brogues. Brogues are most commonly found in one of four toe cap styles (full or “wingtip”, semi-, quarter and longwing) and four closure styles (Oxford, Derby, ghillie, and monk) (Wikipedia). They are sleek and versatile, easily go with a work suit and can still slay on a casual jeans or chinos. its makes a good foundation for a modern man’s wardrobe.

4. Adidas Originals ‘Santiago’ Metallic Accent Watch



This Adidas watch just gives a retro-inspired bold and comfortable look with its silicone strap. It comes in distinct styles and cases; but typically features in a 42mm case, buckle closure, three-hand quartz movement and mineral crystal face.

3. Hoverboard



Big boy toy, the self-balancing two wheeled board popularly referred to as a Hoverboard is popular among music artistes, actors, athletes, rich kids and young people in general. It is a rechargeable battery-powered vehicle which typically appears in two wheels arranged side by side and joined by two small platforms. The hoverboard has been a very popular high end toy/accessory in 2015, it is controlled by the rider’s feet standing on the built-in spinning sensor pads.

2. Beats by Dre Studio Headphones



Beats by Dre headphones are virtually the most popular headphones that give you top quality sound. They come in variations of models, colors and cases but the Studio headset stands out. With beautiful aesthetics as well as top quality sound engineering, the Studio headset will give you a listening experience of your favorite music the way they should be heard.

Luxury designer, Alexander Wang partnered with beats by dre to produce a limited line of Studio headsets that stand out. They come in embossed glossy stingray case with a zipper and clip.

1. Apple Ipad Air 2



The 2015 Ipad Air 2 is a king among tablets, highly rated with its innovative features and savvy architecture. The tablet promises a beautiful experience for almost any tech enthusiast. Perfect for reading, viewing and writing, it can also be used with detachable physical keyboards almost equaling it to a mini-laptop.

SOURCE

Nairaland ladies, over to you. . . Which one are you getting him? Enough of handkerchief and boxers, right?

Cc; lalasticlala

An absolute piece of glamour and class would be understating LG’s 23 karat gold smartwatch which has a $1,200 price tag to it. The Android Wear smart watch called Urbane Luxe is a premium, gold-plated version of the company’s LG Watch Urbane smartwatch. Acquiring a piece will give you Google Now, a built-in heart rate monitor, notifications galore and a very fashionable luxurious wearable.

It is a limited edition (500 pieces only) luxury smartwatch with high tech smart functions. “This blending of craftsmanship and technology is a natural evolution of the smartwatch, which is becoming more of a lifestyle accessory than a piece of hardware. Wearable devices shouldn’t be thought of as an extension of one’s smartphone but an extension of oneself,” said Chris Yie, vice president and head of marketing communications for LG Mobile Communications Company.

The fashionable smart wear features a circular P-Oled touchscreen with 320 x 320 pixels (348 pixels per inch), a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chip, 4GB of memory, 512mb RAM and has a 410mAh battery. It is cased in a 23 karat gold plate and alligator strap, measures 1.3 inches in diameter and syncs with Android and iOS devices.

The luxurious gold watch comes in a variety of handmade, alligator leather strap options; Mahogany Brown, Cobalt Blue, Carmine Red, Pearl White, Hunter Green, Onyx Black.





SOURCE

Just check the image and note the age requirement against work experience.

I don't know what to say, really.

[img]http://i2.wp.com/www.finestbreed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/orpheus16.png?zoom=1.5&resize=660%2C400[/img]

The new Sennheiser Orpheus is set to blow you away with unparalleled audio experience and design but they do not come cheap. The Orpheus has always been one of the world’s most expensive headphones and is set to continue in the lead with its 2016 edition at $55,000 (N10,095,6000 Naira).

[img]http://i1.wp.com/www.finestbreed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/orpheus-product-sennheiser.jpg?zoom=1.5&resize=620%2C452[/img]

Orpheus HE 1060/ HEV 1060 is the latest upgrade of Sennheiser’s highly engineered electrostatic headphone system. It was hand-crafted in Germany using over 6,000 components including gold-vaporized ceramic electrodes, platinum-vaporized diaphragms, and Carrara marble amplifier housing from Italy — the same used by Michelangelo; according to theverge.com.

[img]http://i1.wp.com/www.finestbreed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/image006.0.jpg?zoom=1.5&resize=310%2C193[/img]

The Orpheus has maintained its lead of high performance sound system and engineering. “It is able to deceive our senses in a completely unique way, creating the perfect illusion of being directly immersed in the sound,” said Daniel Sennheiser, CEO of Sennheiser. Although not portable, it is meant to sit comfortably atop your table and give you acoustic excellence. Weather in use or not, one is bound to revel in its beauty and aesthetics; each of the amplifier’s controls are created using a single piece of brass, and once you turn the headphones on, the quartz glass vacuum tubes rise up from the marble enclosure and emit their characteristic glow.

Even from its debut in 1990, the first Sennheiser Orpheus was priced $16,000 (N3, 187,200 in Naira) and is priced around $30,000 (N5, 976,000) today. For a system designed for the highest performance possible, we can be confident the outrageous price will translate to a sonic experience that is unparalleled.

Source: http://www.finestbreed.com/worlds-most-expensive-headphones-the-new-orpheus-he-1060-hev-1060/

[img]http://i0.wp.com/www.finestbreed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/slide_398312_4910984_free.jpg?zoom=1.5&resize=660%2C400[/img]

Shakshuka (or Shakshouka) is a luxury meal of eggs poached in a sauce made up of mainly tomatoes, chilli and onions. Mostly peculiar to North Africans and middle easterners, Shakshuka would make your taste buds shimmer.

It is mostly served as breakfast but also goes as well for lunch or dinner and can be served with bread, salad and more. Orgasmic to the tongue and very nutritious to the body, Shakshuka can be served in a variety of versions.

[img]http://i2.wp.com/www.finestbreed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/slide_398312_4910820_free.jpg?zoom=1.5&resize=155%2C104[/img] [img]http://i0.wp.com/www.finestbreed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/slide_398312_4910986_free.jpg?zoom=1.5&resize=155%2C234[/img]


Want to try something new for the beau or fam? Find the Shakshuka recipe here http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2010/07/summer-2010-travel-blog-shakshuka/
or http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/shakshuka-51220220

Source: http://www.finestbreed.com/shakshuka-egg-and-tomato-sauce-delight/

[img]http://i1.wp.com/www.finestbreed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/gallery-1447362998-koenigsegg-regera-doors.gif?zoom=1.5&resize=660%2C330[/img]

With transformer-themed fully robotized body panels and 1,500 horsepower, the limited edition Koenigsegg Regera (only 80 of this bad boys will be built) will fascinate you and make you denounce the cliche “money can’t buy happiness”. In their 20 years of existence, the Swedish supercar maker has not disappointed its fans and car lovers, raising the bar year after year.

Designed by Christian von Koenigsegg, the electric hybrid supercar can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds and maxes out 255 mph. The robotic mechanism displayed by the supercar is called Autoskin and is truly something to admire.

At that $2m price tag, this exotic supercar will surely provide an amazing experience!!! Watch the video on youtube.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bijcZGGjXbM

Source: http://www.finestbreed.com/watch-this-2-million-supercar-transform/

Last night (November 11, 2015) at about 7:00 pm, I ran into what I thought was a robbery incident. It turned out to be men of the Nigerian Air Force, who by accounts of other onlookers, had come to forcefully take diesel from the Mobil filling station by Oremeji bus stop, Shasha, Lagos.

The Nigerian military men seem to be at their best when chasing, harassing and violating the rights of unarmed civilians. When confronted with armed opponents such as militants or terrorists, they suddenly become “ill-equipped and under paid”.
They cordoned off the entire bus stop, preventing every form of movement, vehicular and human; typical armed robbery style, while they beat up those who were in the filling station and had expressed displeasure at their conduct.

I saw them run into the crowd which had gathered, picking out young men who were unfortunate not to outrun them, and throwing them into their Hilux van. These Air Force men came from the 403 Electronic Maintenance Depot (403 EMD), Shasha, also called 105 Communications depot.

This is Nigeria where going by the Amnesty International report released earlier this year; horrific war crimes committed by Nigeria’s military including 8,000 people murdered, starved, suffocated, and tortured to death.
By now, “anything” may have happened to the random people they took away. If these people are beaten to stupor or are even executed, who would know?

Someone needs to make sure the people taken by the Air Force personnel are released before they are added to the 8,000 already murdered this year according to the Amnesty International.

This report was sent in by a resident of Shasha who does not want to be named

Source: http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/11/13/how-military-men-abused-civilians-in-shasha/

Cc: lalasticlala