The document summarizes the commissioning of Agricultural Research Outreach Centers (AROCs) in three Area Councils of the FCT by the Honorable Minister of Agriculture. It discusses the Minister's commitment to improving small scale farmers and increasing their productivity. It also outlines various initiatives to be implemented for farmers' benefit, including a Tractor Hiring Scheme. The Minister reiterated the government's goal of making fertilizer readily available nationwide. Overall, the summary highlights the Minister's efforts to boost agriculture and support farmers in Nigeria.

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EWSLETTEREWSLETTER
“.......today’s research is tomorrow’s wealth’’
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
VOL. 2 No. 2 October 2020 Edition
Count. Pg 3
Honourable Minister of Agriculture And Rural Development
Alhaji Muhammadu Sabo Nanono
The Honourable Minister of
A g r i c u l t u r e a n d R u r a l
D e v e l o p m e n t , A l h a j i
Muhammadu Sabo
Nanono commissioned
t h e A g r i c u l t u r a l
Research Outreach
Centers (AROCs) and
flagged–off distribution
of farm inputs and
extension materials to
farmers in the three (3)
Area Councils (Kuje,
AMAC & Bwari) of the
F e d e r a l C a p i t a l
Territory (FCT), Abuja
t h
o n T h u r s d a y 8
October, 2020.
Minister reiterated the ministry's (10) tractors each to be managed
commitment in uplifting the small by the private sector”. The
scale farmers and improving their Federal Government to give out
these tractors on loan to
t h e p r i v a t e
organizations/individua
ls to serve as Tractor
Vendors which were
expected to pay back
the tractors over 12
years period. The small
scale farmers would
have these tractors from
the vendors at subsidize
rate to be negotiated and
paid to the vendors. The
Tractor Hiring Scheme,
the Hon. Minister addedThe
would increase theM i n i s t e r w h i l e
a v a i l a b i l i t y ,addressing farmers at
accessibility andone of the Agricultural
affordability of tractorsResearch Outreach
in the rural and farmingCenter in Kiyi village,
communities in the countryproductivity, describing them asKuje Area Council of the FCT,
thereby increasing the agriculturalthe major contributors to thecommended the Executive
production. The scheme was alsoagricultural production and foodSecretary, Agricultural Research
designed to empower the vendorssecurity in the country. HeCouncil of Nigeria (ARCN),
and create jobs to the teeminginformed the gathering of series ofProfessor Garba Hamidu
youths in the country. He howeverinitiatives to be implemented soonSharubutu mni, for the laudable
assured farmers of upcomingfor the benefit of farmers in theinitiatives geared towards
initiatives targeted at boostingcountry. These include theachieving the goals of Mr.
“Tractor Hiring Scheme; under their productivity. He furtherPresident, Muhammadu Buhari
the new Scheme 774 Local encouraged farmers and youth toGCON, in the area of agricultural
Governments would have ten take advantage of the variousresearch and development. The
“It is the hope of this Government that by
the Year 2021, Fertilizer will be displayed
like Cement by the road side” - Nanono

2. Editorial Crew
Chairman/Editor
Nuhu Yusuf
Head of Department
Knowledge Management and Communication
Graphics
Paul Iyaji
Principal Data Processing Officer
Correspondences
Knowledge Management -Nodal Officers
attached to Departments and ES - Office
Asst. Editors
Yahaya Bello
Chief Data Processing Officer
Stella. C. Nwokocha
Senior Communication Officer
2
Vision of ARCN
To reduce poverty and increase food security
by contributing to the establishment of
sustainable agricultural growth and
development in Nigeria.
To achieve significant improvement in
agricultural productivity, marketing &
competitiveness by generating
appropriate technologies and policy
options, promoting innovation,
establishing a knowledge management
capacity and strengthening the
agricultural research system.
Mission of ARCN
ARCN BOOST ITS GLOBAL VISIBILITY
The Executive Secretary, ARCN recently launched six (6) Official Digital Platforms created by
Knowledge Management and Communication Department for improved Communication, boost global
visibility and increase linkages amongst stakeholders in Agricultural Research, Production and Food
Security.
The general public are therefore, invited to take advantage of the ARCN new digital links to access
relevant information onARCN and activities of NationalAgricultural Research System in Nigeria. You
canreachus at:
ARCN JAARBOX www.jaarbox.com
ARCN ExamPortal www.arcnexams.com
ARCNWebsite www.arcn.gov.ng
ARCNTwitterhandle search@ArcnAbuja
ARCN Facebookpage searchAgriculturalResearchCouncilof Nigeria
ARCN Slideshare gotowww.slideshare.netsearchARCN
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3. 3
interventions introduced by the attending the occasion despite his centers were furnished each with
present administration to increase tight schedules. He described the facilities that include plasma
their agricultural productivity. He Hon. Minister as a man of TV's, DVD, CD's of agricultural
drew the attention of all principle and with the Nigerian production documentaries, 50
stakeholders in agriculture that in farmers interest at heart. He Plastic Chairs, 10 Plastic Tables,
normal circumstances, the informed them that immediately Generator Set, Projector and
agricultur v a r i o u s
a l Extension
productio Bulletins.
n f r o m Deliverin
four (4) g t h e i r
States of key note
t h e address at
Federatio t h e
n alone occasion,
could be the Emir
a b l e t o of Kuje,
feed the H R H
e n t i r e GOMO of
c o u n t r y Kuje and
and the the Chief
produce from the remaining of Kiyi village, thanked the
after his appointment asStates and FCT be dedicated for Honorable Minister and
Executive Secretary, the Hon.exports. In the area of fertilizer, Executive Secretary, ARCN for
Minister gave him a marchingthe Hon Minister informed the intervention. They stated that
order to initiate programmes forfarmers that in the next one (1) famers in the area had long been
increasing the uptake/adoption ofyear the challenges of fertilizer benefiting from the improved
modern farming techniques andranging from inadequacies to seeds varieties introduced to them
improved varieties/innovationsquality would be a thing of the by the center which led to
emanating from the Agriculturalpast. He stated that 33 different increase in their agricultural
Research Institutes (NARIs) andfertilizer blending companies productivity. The Chief of Kiyi
ensure increase in agriculturalwhere already springing up and assured the Hon. Minister that the
productivity of small, mediumwould be in operation soon. He facilities would be maintained
and large scale farmers in theadded that Dangote fertilizer and optimally utilized for its
country. This he said was thealone is capable of providing purpose. His Royal Highness
genesis of flagging-off theThree Million (3M) tonnes of GOMO of Kuje, prayed for the
distribution and commissioning aUrea and Four Hundred entire country and the President
robust and well-furnishedThousand (400,000) tonnes of Muhammadu Buhari GCON for
Agricultural Research OutreachNPK annually. Fertilizer will be ad d res s in g th e farmer' s
Centers (AROC) in the threeAreadisplayed on the road-side all challenges and considering
Councils of Kuje, AMAC, Bwariyear round in Nigeria as in the Agriculture as one of the top
of the FCT. The Executivecase of cement by next one year, priority in his Government. He
S e c r e t a r y a d d e d t h a ttheHonourableMinistersaid. also expressed his people's
demonstration farms were also appreciation for the interventionEarlier in his welcome address,
established in these villages to aimed at reducing poverty andthe Executive Secretary, ARCN
practically engage farmers in the increasing food security in theexpressed gratitude to the
adoption of new and modern country.Honourable Minister for
agronomic practices. The AROC
NEWS

4. 4
The Speaker Plateau Prof. Garba Hamidu
State House ofAssembly Sharubutu as Executive
a n d L a w m a k e r Secretary, ARCN was
representing the good really timely and well
people of Jos East deserved, considering
Constituency, Rt. Hon. h i s l a u d a b l e
Abok Nuhu Ayuba, c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o
visited the ARCN A g r i c u l t u r a l
headquarters, Mabushi – Development in Nigeria.
th
He further expressed theAbuja on Tuesday, 6 of
confidence that theAugust, 2020.
people of Plateau StateThe Speaker in his
have in Prof. Sharubutuspeech thanked Mr.
and assured the CouncilPresident, Muhammadu
of their continuedBuhari, GCON for
collaboration, supportappointing the right
and prayers to make theperson to lead the System (NARS) in the country.
entireNARS greatagain.National Agricultural Research He added that the emergence of
VISIT OF THE HONOURABLE SPEAKER – PLATEAU STATE HOUSE OFASSEMBLY TO ARCN
NEWS
Hon. Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly
with the Executive Secretary, ARCN
Count. Pg 5
The Chief Justice of Plateau love by the people
State Hon. Justice Yakubu
Guyong Dakwak led a
delegation of Justices from
Plateau State on a courtesy visit
th
to ARCN on Monday, 12
August 2020.
Welcoming the
August guests,
the Director of
Administration,
Dr. Edeki John
Enesi expressed
A R C N
Management's
appreciations
and thanks for
d e e m i n g i t
worthy to pay such visit to the
Council. The members of the
delegation were introduced by
the Chief Registrar Plateau
State judiciary, Mrs. Ladi
Madaki.
The Executive Secretary, in his
opening remarks, expressed his
The Executive Secretaryprofound appreciation for the
further added that he wasvisit and added that the show of
and various Executive Secretary, ARCN and
organs of government of Plateau expressed his appreciation to the
State such as the judiciary and entire people of Plateau State for
State Assembly led by the Hon. their home support. He
Speaker was a clear signal that he acknowledged the fact that the
is not alone at all times and also an judiciary as a noble profession
w i l l
s u p p o r t
legality
and will
always be
in support
of a just
c a u s e .
T h e
Executive
Secretary
a l s o
indication of home support. He informed the delegation on the
further reiterated that from the recent visits made by the Speaker
composition of the delegation, no of Plateau State House of
amount of propaganda can Assembly and the Traditional
consume a Plateau State indigene. Council of Plateau State to ARCN
Prof. Sharubutu reaffirmed his Headquarters to congratulate him
gratitude to Mr. President and on his appointment as substantive
Commander-In-Chief of the Arm Executive Secretary of the
Forces of Nigeria, Muhammadu ARCN.
Buhari for his appointment as
THE COURTESY VISIT OF CHIEF JUSTICE OF PLATEAU STATE TO EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF ARCNTHE COURTESY VISIT OF CHIEF JUSTICE OF PLATEAU STATE TO EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF ARCN
The Chief Justice, other Justices of Plateau State with the Executive Secretary, ARCN

5. NEWS
Count. Pg 65
overwhelmed and humbled with c o o p e r a t i o n f r o m t h e his prayers for the progress of the
the numerous show of love and ManagementandStaffofARCN. ES, wishing him a successful
that it will be recorded in his tenure and further appealed toIn his response, the Hon. Chief
CurriculumVitae and Profile. He him to be fair to all wherever andJustice of Plateau State thanked
further made a solemn pledge that w h e n e v e r a p p l i c a b l e .the Almighty God for making the
he will not disappoint Plateau Appreciating the distinguishedE x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y ' s
State and Nigeria in general in his delegation, the Director ofappointment possible and
new responsibilities but would Administration, noted that thecommended his willingness and
ensure that his head is held up light has been revealed and theeagerness to serve, which he said
high at the end of his tenure in fruitfulness of the Council hasthe appointment could not be
ARCN. The Executive Secretary been released for the whole worldmore perfect liking it to putting a
assured the Chief Judge that he towitnessandshare.round peg in a round hole. The
has been receiving the best of Chief Justice made assurances of
APPOINTMENT OF SEVEN (7) NEW PROVOSTS AND TWO EXECUTIVE
DIRECTORS/CEOs IN THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SYSTEM (NARS)
The entire exercise leading to the The involvement of the respective Abuja for interview which took
th
appointment of Seven (7) Chairmen of the Governing place on 12 August, 2020. The
Provosts of Federal Colleges of Boards of the Institutions was to interview panel was headed by the
Agriculture and two (2) Minister ofAgriculture and
Executive Directors/CEOs Rural Development,
of Agricultural Research r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e
Institutes was carried out Permanent Secretary of the
successfully by the Ministry. Amongst the
Executive Secretary of members of the interview
ARCN, Professor G. H. panel were, the ARCN
Sharubutu mni in what was G o v e r n i n g B o a r d
documented as the most Chairman, the Executive
transparent and credible S e c r e t a r y , A R C N ,
process of appointment of D i r e c t o r , H u m a n
Chief Executives Officers Resources, FMARD,
ensure transparency and(CEOs) of NARIs andFCAs. D i r e c t o r A E & S E - A R C N ,
credibility of the entire exercise. Representative of FederalThe entire process of the
The Aptitude Test was also Character Commission andappointment of CEOs of NARIs
conducted in line with the COVID DirectorAdministration-ARCN.and FCAs as enshrined in the
19 protocols as contained in theARCN Act, commenced with The Honorable Minister of
NCDC guidelines.placement of advert in three (3) A g r i c u l t u r e a n d R u r a l
Immediately after the test, theNational dailies and collation of Development, Alhaji Muhammad
examination panel constituted byapplications received from Sabo Nanono graciously
the Executive Secretary and theprospective candidates Nation- approved the outcome of the
thsenior officers of the Council,wide. The Council conducted interview on Monday 24 August,
drawn from various departmentsAptitude Test for prospective 2020 and accordingly thethnd
sat on Saturday 25 July, 2020 andcandidates on July 22 , 2020 at successful candidates were
transparently carried out thethe premises of the various communicated by the Executive
marking of the examinationInstitutions of the applicants. The Secretary, ARCN for the
scriptsofthecandidates.Aptitude Test was coordinated by collection of their appointment
The successful candidates thatPrincipal Officers of the Council letters.
emerged from the Nation-wideand the Governing Board The new appointees were
Aptitude Test were invited to theChairmen of the respective presented with their appointment
thARCN Headquarters, Mabushi-Colleges and Research Institute. letters on Tuesday, 25 August

6. NEWS
Count. Pg 76
2020 at the ARCN Headquarters, standard of the process leading to Director of Cocoa Research
Abuja, by the Executive Secretary, their appointment. He further Institute of Nigeria (CRIN),
th
ARCN. charged the new appointees to Ibadan was appointed on 13
work towards the growth and October, 2020. The emergence ofAddressing the newly appointed
development of the entire the ED also followed a highlyProvosts and Executive Director
National Agricultural Research transparent processes fromat the ARCN Headquarters,
System for Food Security and Aptitude Test to Interview whichMabushi, Abuja, the Executive
th th
i m p r o v e d A g r i c u l t u r a l took place on 8 and 9 October,Secretary Prof. Garba Hamidu
Productivity. In a similar 2020 respectively.Sharubutu mni expressed his
development, new Executivedelight in the perspicuous The list of the Colleges and
InstitutesandtheirrespectivenewChiefExecutiveOfficersareaspresentedbelow:
1. NationalVeterinaryResearchInstitute,Vom,PlateauState:Dr.MaryamMohammed
2. FederalCollegeofAgriculture,Akure,Ogun State:Dr.A.A. Fadiyimu
3. FederalCollegeofAgriculture,Ibadan,Oyo State:Dr.Mrs. ElizebethOluwakemiAugutus
4. Federal College of Produce Inspection and Stored Products Technology, Kano: Dr. M. Y. Gwaram
5. Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin – Kowa, Gombe State: Dr. Ali Mahmood Baba Wuro
6. Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State: Dr. M. O. Okoronkwo
7. Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, Oyo State: Dr. A. O. Owosibo
8. Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, Plateau State: Dr. Jude O. Okpara
9. Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State: Dr. Olu Adebola
The entire Staff of Agricultural f o r m e r l y a p p o i n t e d t h e Federal College of Animal Health
Research Council of Nigeria Substantive Executive Secretary and Production Technology, Vom,
(ARCN) under the leadership of of the Agricultural Research Plateau State as ARCN Executive
the three Unions namely: Council of Nigeria (ARCN) on Secretary.
th
Academic Staff Union of Responding to these petitions, thethe 27 ofApril, 2020 for a term of
R e s e a r c h staff of the
I n s t i t u t e s A R C N
( A S U R I ) , organized a
SATHAUR S o l i d a r i t y
AI and Non- R a l l y i n
Academic support of
Staff Union the embattled
( N A S U ) ARCN boss,
have thrown P r o f e s s o r
their weight Sharubutu.
behind the T h e
five (5) years in the first instanceExecutive Secretary, Professor President of ASURI, ARCN
and subject to another five yearsGarba Hamidu Sharubutu mni, chapter, Mr.Ajah Francis, said the
for a second tenure. Followingwho has been facing a series of rally was to let the world know the
his appointment, some personspetitions and criticisms both from extent of their support for the new
had questioned the legality of thewithinandoutsidetheCouncil. Executive Secretary, “we are here
appointment of the Professor of to let the world know the extent toProfessor Sharubutu was
which we support our ExecutiveInfectious Diseases, Veterinaryappointed the Acting Executive
Secretary, Professor GarbaLegislation and former Provost ofSecretary of ARCN in 2019 and
SUPPORT RALLY IN FAVOUR OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF ARCN
ARCN Staff During The Rally

7. NEWS
7
Sharubutu, I want to assure the his tenure, he got permission from restructure the Council, the new
whole world that the staff of ARCN ARCN management to proceed to ARCN boss set up four (4)
will never do anything that will the Federal University of committees targeted at repositioning
hamper the progress of ARCN and Agriculture, Makurdi on Sabbatical. the Research Council, he
they will not do anything that will While on Sabbatical, the Hon. commenced the construction of
create hitch in the progress of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Phase 2 Office Complex to host the
success ofARCN” hesaid. Development invited him to come to new ARCN Farmer's Radio and e-
In the same vain, the leader of NASU ARCN as a Director on the sheer library/Reference Museum,
ARCN branch, Mr. Kayode basis of meritocracy, but detractors rehabilitated all the broken vehicles
Ayedogbon said they were rallying kept on saying that his coming is (3 staff buses and 5- Toyota Hilux),
for the good work, the passion of illegal;thathas toStop”. constructed fence and drainage
Professor Sharubutu in service He said Professor Sharubutu was system, payment of a refund of
delivery. He explained, “recently the also accused of using his company to school fees to all staff on short and
leadership of ARCN has continued carry out jobs in the College of long term studies, prompt payment
to be bombarded with series of Animal Health, Vom. “Professor to service providers, and most
petitions where it was alleged that Sharubutu created a company for the importantly revived the image of the
the posting of Professor Sharubutu to College in Vom, he used the money Council on the National and
ARCN is illegal but he has thus far generated from the company to International arena. The entire staff
done excellently to justify his develop the college, he increased the at the rally therefore, called on the
appointment, but the petitions keep number of faculties in the College, petitioners to desist from distracting
rolling, we want it to Stop.” He bought about fifteen official Professor Sharubutu and allow him
added that “Professor Sharubutu did vehicles, a tractor and harvester. He to focus on the Mandate of
not come here on his own, he was in also built a departmental complex as repositioning and refocusing the
Federal College of Animal Health well as a guest house for the National Agricultural Research
and Production Technology, Vom, college.”theunionleaderclarified. System(NARS) intheCountry.
Plateau State as the Provost. After As part of his commitment to
ARCN Hosted the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Global
Women Breakfast 2020 (GWB2020)
The International Union of Pure Sharubutu represented by the GWB2020 is to establish an on-
and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Acting Head of Fisheries, Dr. going virtual network where
Global Women Breakfast is a Aliyu S. Madugu. Welcoming the women in the chemical and
networking event of the related sciences could
Chemical Society of connect and interact with
Nigeria (CSN), Abuja each other in a meaningful
th
way to support theirChapter held on the 12 of
professional aspirations.February,every year. This
Two goodwill messagesyear's Women breakfast
were rendered by thet o o k p l a c e a t t h e
National President Prof.Agricultural Research
Sunday Okeniyi and theCouncil of Nigeria
Abuja Chapter Chairman(ARCN) Conference
Mr. Duru Maxwell,Hall, Mabushi, Abuja.
respectively.The theme for the event
was 'Building Bonds to The theme for GWB2020
participants, the CoordinatorCreateFutureLeaders.' was focused on leadership
Women in Chemistry, Chemistry development. The programmeThe annual event was declared
Society of Nigeria- Abuja was expected to facilitateopen by the Executive Secretary
Chapter, Dr. Gloria Ajoku stated networking that would lead toof the ARCN, Prof. Garba H.
that the overall purpose of
GWB 2020 Participants with the Executive
Secretary, ARCN Representative
Count. Pg 8

8. 8
TRAINING
new and lasting connections backgrounds including the coined a new slogan” Together
amongst women. There were Government, the Universities, WomenAchieve”.
about 45 participants (women), Research Institutes, the public
drawn from a wide range of and private sectors. The Women
The virtual meeting, first of its kind of the Bills as it relates to NARS, for possible contributions and
was successfully attended by all the their various Institutional interest inputs. The meeting considered the
Executive Directors of NARIs and and Nigeria in general. The Bills o b s e r v a t i o n s a n d
FCAs, the Governing Board includes: recommendations made by
Chairman of ARCN, the Executive members on each of the bill after1.TheBillonARCN Reform
Secretary and Management staff of which three (3) sub-committees2.The Bill on Establishment of
ARCN. Declaring the meeting were constituted to articulate theN a t i o n a l A g r i c u l t u r a l
opened, the Executive Secretary positions. The Executive SecretaryDevelopment Trust Fund (SB
informed the participant that the assured that the NARIs, FCAs and119),2019
purpose of the meeting was to the entire NARS would be
3.Establishment of National Food
discuss the three (3) Bills represented efficiently at the Public
ReserveAgency(NFRA) Billsponsored by the Chairman Senate Hearing on the Bills for the best
The Executive Secretary furtherCommittee on Agriculture and interest of the System and
briefed the participants on each ofRural Development. He however Agricultural Development in the
the bill and drew their attention oncalled for member's interpretation Country.
specific sections of the various bills
ARCN CONDUCTS IN-HOUSE ICT – TRAINING IN COLLABORATION WITH SUN
TH ST
ACADEMY FROM 10 TO 21 OF AUGUST, 2020
A hands-on, practical-oriented in- Solution. Furthermore, he added open, the Executive Secretary, Prof.
house training on key areas of ICT that the series of activities and G. H. Sharubutu reiterated his
was conducted in the ARCN and it projects currently implemented in commitment towards building the
kick started on Monday, capacity of staff in the area
TH
of ICT, adding that the10 August, 2020 at
s e r i e s o f p r o j e c t sARCN Headquarters,
implemented in the CouncilMabushi,Abuja reaching
st
could only be managed withits climax on the 21 of
in-depth digital literacy.August 2020. The
Therefore, he called on thetraining was organized
HOD, KM&C to organizeby the Knowledge
similar trainings aimed atM a n a g e m e n t a n d
widening the scope of theC o m m u n i c a t i o n
training modules toDepartment of ARCN in
accommodate members ofcollaboration with a
staff from all otherr e n o w n e d I C T
Departments. At the end ofi n s t i t u t i o n , S u n
the training, each of the fourA c a d e m y. I n h i s
groups of the participantswelcome address, the
presented a prototype of what theyHead of Department, Knowledge ARCN under the visionary
developed to support the workManagement and Communication leadership of Prof. Sharubutu is not
activities of the Council. Presenting(KM&C) NuhuYusuf, stated that the only repositioning the Council but
the certificate to the trainees, thetraining was centered on four ICT executing what he called Digital
Executive Secretary expressed hisareas namely: Software and Mobile Transformation Agenda aimed at
satisfaction regarding the initiativesApp Development, Website effective and efficient discharge of
that emanated from the staff that hadDevelopment and Maintenance, A R C N M a n d a t e s a n d
undergone the training. He furtherDatabase Programming and My functions.Declaring the training
stressed the need for ARCN toSQL, Social Media and Web
The Executive Secretary with the participants
and Resource Persons
VIRTUAL MEETING ON ARCN RERFORM BILL HELD WITH ARCN GOVERNING BOARD
TH
CHAIRMAN, ARCN-MANAGEMENT AND CEOs OF NARIs AND FCAs ON SATURDAY 11 JULY, 2020
VIRTUAL MEETING ON ARCN RERFORM BILL HELD WITH ARCN GOVERNING BOARD
TH
CHAIRMAN, ARCN-MANAGEMENT AND CEOs OF NARIs AND FCAs ON SATURDAY 11 JULY, 2020

9. WORKSHOP/SUMMIT
9
The ARCN in collaboration with proposed to establish a media outfit towards Economic Recovery and
Willband Consulting Ltd. on that will be used to educate the Growth Plan (ERGP) aimed at
th
farmers and prospective investors in enhancing economic growth of theTuesday 28 July, 2020 organized a
the agricultural sector and to provide Country. He concluded byseminar on service delivery at
encouraging all staff ofthe Council's auditorium
the Council, NARIs andMabushi, Abuja. The summit
FCAs to be morewas one of the planned
productive for theactivities of theARCN for the
improvement of the2020 budget year aimed at
e n t i r e N a t i o n a lcreating a platform for
Agricultural Researchvarious players including the
S y s t e m ( N A R S ) ,private sector, the National
increase AgriculturalAssembly staff and public
Production, Povertyinvestors to discuss the
reduction and Foodopportunities and resources
Security.that exist in the Agricultural
sector and how to harness the Paper presented
s a m e f o r s u s t a i n a b l e include:
information on the activities of all the
developmentandwealthcreation.
NARIs and FCAs under the auspices
In his opening remarks, the
of the council. He further appreciated
Executive Secretary laid emphasis
the presence of National Assembly
on the need for every staff of ARCN
Staff at the Seminar and emphasized
to contribute towards achieving the
on the need to maintain the cordial
mandate of the Council. He reiterated
working relationship with the
that being useful to oneself is a major
National Assembly adding that most
key to being useful to the system. He,
of the Agricultural Research
however, said that ARCN has
budgetary provisions were geared
The Role of
Administrative Procedures for
Effective Service Delivery, the Role
of Servicom in Service Delivery and
the Role of Results-Oriented
Monitoring and Evaluation in
Service Delivery which were
delivered by Dr. Edeki John Enesi,
Dr. (Mrs.) Ihegwuagu N.E. and Dr.
CharlesEbojierespectively.
2020 AGRICULTURAL SUMMIT ON SERVICE DELIVERY
organize an ICTtraining for relevant opportunities in digital technologies the emerging of global phenomena
staff from all the NARIs and FCAs and better understand the concept of challenges and the presidential
a i m e d a t h a r n e s s i n g t h e e-governance operations in line with visionofarobust digitaleconomy.
ARCN CONDUCTS TRAINING FOR DRIVERS, CLERKS AND MAINTENANCE
OFFICER FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY IN THE COUNCIL
As part of the Executive Secretary's thecourseoftheirservicedelivery. The leader of the team of
commitment to reposition the In his response, the Director facilitators assured the Executive
Council towards actualizing Administration thanked the Secretary that the trainees would be
ARCN's mandates in accordance Executive Secretary for the noble impacted with skills that will
with the present Administration's gesture of organizing training of enable them experience a mark of
GreenAlternative, a training difference in their various job
was conducted for clerks, schedules at the end of the
drivers and maintenance exercise.
officers.
Declaring the training open,
the Executive Secretary,
ARCN, Prof. Garba Hamidu
Sharubutu reiterated the
importance of the training,
which he said was the type of the this nature which according to him
exercise the Council's staff needed was conducted at such a time. He
in order to build their capacity for promised the ES that the outcome
effective and efficient discharge of of the training would be of positive
duties. He further warned staff impact on the staff especially in
against any form of indiscipline in theirschedulesofduties.
Expectedly, when
A R C N N e w s l e t t e r
interviewed some of the
trainees at the end of the
entire training sessions, the
trainees expressed their
delight on the quality and
depth of the training content and
further applauded the ARCN
management for organizing such
workshop which immensely
improvedtheskillsofstaff.
The Executive Secretary Director Administration and participants at the Training

10. 10
THE ARCN SERVICOM INAUGURATION CEREMONY, HELD AT THE ARCN CONFERENCE HALL,
TH
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH HOUSE, MABUSHI, ABUJA ON JULY, 8 2020.
WORKSHOP/SUMMIT
The Executive Secretary ARCN, Nodal Officer from Nigerian service delivery programme of the
Prof. Garba H. Sharubutu mni, Institute of Soil Science (NISS), g o v e r n m e n t t o i n c r e a s e
represented by the Director media and staff of the Council. The productivity as well as design
Administration Dr. Edeki John Executive Secretary said he strategies that would lead to better
Enesi, welcomed all present and proposed to introduce a reward actualization of the ChangeAgenda
expressed gladness that the system for innovation and of Mr. President. She commended
inauguration ceremony happened productivity for the entire ARCN, t h e E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y,
under his watch as history was NARIs and FCAs, and that this Managementand staff ofARCN for
made in the Council. He would only happen when service is creating a SERVICOM Unit, to
emphasized the fact that rendered excellently and as at when entrench service delivery initiative
SERVICOM would help to drive due. He further encouraged the taking cognizance on the mandates
the transformation he ofARCN.
v i s u a l i z e d i n t h e In her good will message
Agricultural Research o n b e h a l f o f t h e
System. He restated his Permanent Secretary,
intention to introduce Federal Ministry of
reforms within the Agriculture and Rural
operation of the Council D e v e l o p m e n t , t h e
and his determination to D i r e c t o r R e f o r m
pursue organizational Coordination & Service
p e r f o r m a n c e Improvement, as well as
improvement initiatives FMARD-SERVICOM
including target setting, Nodal Officer, Mrs.
identification and publication of Gertrude Orji congratulated the
SERVICOM Unit to be exemplary,key performance indicators (KPIs) Executive Secretary of ARCN on
dedicated and honest with their jobto measure productivity, grassroots his recent confirmation as the
to entrench effective servicemobilization and generation of substantive Executive Secretary of
delivery in the Council. Therefore,information capable of triggering ARCN. She said that ARCN
he urged allARCN staff to embracepurposefulresearch. complied with the directive of
good service delivery attitude,The occasion was graced by the Honorable Minister of Agriculture
show professionalism in thepresence of the National and Rural Development (HMA)
discharge of their duties andCoordinator - SERVICOM, Mrs. that SERVICOM Units be
remember the core values of theNnenna Akajemeli and her team inaugurated in all the 48
Council.(InsertPhoto here)from SERVICOM Headquarters, parastatals/agencies under the
The National Coordinator in herARCN Management Staff, Ministry. She further appealed to
speech, was delighted to be part ofDirector, Reform coordination & the Management & staff to support
the inauguration as it was inService Improvement of the the Unit while advising theARCN-
compliance with Federal ExecutiveFederal Ministry ofAgriculture and Nodal Officer and her team to be
Council's directive that all MDAsRural Development (FMARD), committedandliveby example.
should establish SERVICOM UnitMrs. Gertrude Orji, and also the
(MSUs) in order to manage the
The E. S. Representative National Coordinator,
SERVICOM FMA&RD-Nodal Officer and ARCN Management
ARCN CONDUCTS IN-HOUSE DEFENSE ON 2021 BUDGET AT THE BOARD – ROOM MABUSHI
In an effort to reposition the Council. This exercise allowed staff and assured them that,
ARCN and as part of good senior officers of the Council to henceforth, all budget proposals
governance strategies by the new collectively deliberate on 2021 must undergo a similar procedure
Executive Secretary Prof. G.H budget proposal for improved to provide avenue for perfecting
Sharubutu, ARCN for the first transparency in carrying out and articulating a unified Budget
time organized an in-house official activities of the Council. Proposal for the best interest of the
Budget Defense exercise for The Executive Secretary who led Agricultural Research System and
Departments and Units in the the deliberation, commended the theFederalRepublicofNigeria.

11. 11
Daily Times Newspaper on opined that its effect was to a become part of the planning
Monday 21, September 2020, certain extent but that the most processes as found in other
held an exclusive interview with perturbing challenge currently climes. The building is expected
the Executive Secretary of the facing food production in the to house the national reference
Council. During the interview, country was flooding, especially museum and also the national
Prof. Sharubutu reaffirmed the in states like Kebbi, Jigawa and agriculture library committed to
mandate of the Council to serve as other key states. However, he said research activities. This would
a management secretariat to that Mr. President approached the s i m p l i f y t h e w o r k a n d
Agricultural Research Institutes issue from an agricultural collaborations with the donors. It
and Federal Colleges of perspective, thereby directing the would hostARCN Farmers Radio
Agriculture by giving directives Ministry of Agriculture to and Television programmes.
on the nature of research in the synergize with the Ministry of Although the frequency in Abuja
country. He lamented on the late Water Resources in order to was already choked up thereby
release of budgets to fund encourage at a very profound and posing a problem hence the
agricultural research and the need extensive level, the issue of dry Council is therefore seeking the
for agricultural internship to season farming as the wet season President's intervention because
boost productivity in the sector. would soon be over, there would this would be the first national
He further highlighted measures be an essemble of strategic agricultural radio for more
the Council was taking to ensure thinkers to achieve the dry season sensitization to farmers, and the
food sufficiency as the country farmingplan. first trench of the budget
battles to contain the COVID-19 allocations has been received toProfessor Sharubutu said that one
pandemic. commence the process of projectencouraging thing about crop
implementation.Reacting to the question on what production was that in case of
ARCN was doing to address food disaster, there are seed multipliers Concerning the controversies
security during the pandemic, the and it is easy to recede unlike in surrounding genetically modified
Executive Secretary said, the livestock farming were the crops in Nigeria, Prof. Sharubutu
following the outbreak of Covid- reverse is the case. As for the firmly stated that the present
19, that the Council tried to livestock, he added, some of the administration has been able to
redirect its policies to solve the policies that were geared towards strengthen the National
imminent danger and crisis that improving livestock embryo Biotechnology Agency and
the food industry was likely to fall transfer had been included in the National Agricultural Seed
into. Luckily, he said, that was the budget. The plan to establish Council (NASC) to evaluate the
first time that budgets were embryo transfer in 6 centers, research products for human
released on time, as budgets were c o u p l e d w i t h a r t i f i c i a l consumptions. A new variety of
usually released in September, insemination centers that would crop called BT cowpea was
and so the Council swung into be bought mainly by commercial released in February by the
action. The first directive was to livestock farmers was ongoing Institutes in collaboration with
ensure that technologies were and the drive is to get embryo donor partners. These agencies
deployed to update strategy by transplant centers and improve evaluate and subject crops to
directing Research Institutes to productivity thereby solving the laboratory tests to ensure they are
commence seed multiplication, problem of livestock farming safe before releasing them to the
which attracted commercial which was bedeviled by natural markets.
farmers to the Institutes. For disasters. He further said that Part Responding to the question on
instance, the research institutes in of Council's efforts in 2021 is to how he was bridging the gap
Ibadan liaised with the South establish a gene bank and that, b e t w e e n r e s e a r c h a n d
West Governors and seeds were donor agencies would be engaged implementation and also, whether
released and same was with tothateffect. research was being adequately
Agricultural Research Institute in Furthermore, he said that the f u n d e d i n N i g e r i a . H e
AhmaduBelloUniversity,Zaria. Council had embarked on another unequivocally stated that what
When asked about how Covid-19 big project of having a building in was heard about funding must be
affected agriculture and what the place to provide accommodation subjected to serious analysis. He
post survival strategies were, he for donor agencies so as to said, having been a Provost in a
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, ARCN,
PROF. GARBA HAMIDU SHARUBUTU mni
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

12. funding lies in budgetary was proposing to the Ministry to project called West African
releases. As late budgetary go into internship. Currently, Agricultural Productivity Project
releases had affected research a there where no internships and (WAAPP). He told the reporters
great deal to the extent that inductions in agriculture that ARCN has adopted schools
researchers were incapacitated development that would build and villages where the extension
with money being released in farmers' mind. Internship must be workers usually go and advice
September, as compared to farmers, offer inputs such as
when it ought to have been cassava and this year would
released and that has been one not be an exception as the
of the major problems. For Council's extension farmers
effective research, there must would visit these villages to
be a template where releases give inputs which are mainly
can be done early to the to encourage dry season
agricultural sector and other farming; crops would include
critical sectors of the economy cassava, cotton, cowpea
and not on emergency basis. In seedlings among others. As it
as much as there is funding had been suspected that the
inadequacies in the country, he 2021 season may hit the
said, there is need to narrow country harder than the 2020
down the priorities. For farming season which was
instance, there were lots of disrupted by the pandemic
agencies that intervene in the season, the Council is more
education sector like the CBN, p r e p a r e d t h a n e v e r .
TETFUND, PTDF, and International organizations for
NITDA among others, but food safety are planning to get
such were not seen in the a gene bank for the Council to
agricultural sector except for conserve crops and genetic
production. Sadly, the production there to get the necessary skills to materials, SEED-Sat is also a
was carried out with local be proficient. This would enable p r o g r a m s p o n s o r e d b y
technology that does not amount the graduates produced by the international organizations where
to anything at all in terms of Institutes and FCAs to acquire the Council would undertake a
productivity. practical knowledge as about study of the seed system in the
10,000 HND graduates in about country in terms of quality,He advocated for change of
52 institutes and colleges of effectivenessandsafety.policies whereby the Central
agriculture were turned out yearlyBank of Nigeria would release When asked of the ARCN future
in the country, some of themmoney to farmers for production plans to boost Nigeria's
unable to acquire meaningfulusing sophisticated tools, seeds agricultural productivity, the
jobs.and fertilizer. While eulogizing said that a
the efforts of the present regime Reacting to the question about the bilateral meeting was held, and a
for increasing fertilizer blending international agencies that the directive given to commence pre-
companies to 33, as against the far ARCN was in collaboration with, budget defense where a cutoff
cry it used to be, he noted that the Executive Secretary said that point would be placed for
inputs were beginning to come up collaboration was ongoing with everyone who would have key
and international donor some international agencies like performance indicators. He
organizations were beginning to the World Bank, Food and affirmed that it is the only way to
be attracted. In order to solve Agricultural Organizations, give a good scorecard. The
some of the problems of research United Nations amongst others, Council would begin to prioritize
and its implementation, Prof. that ARCN had collaboration in order to derive the maximum
Sharubutu said that the Council with the World Bank with a benefits.
Executive Secretary
12
“.......today’s research is tomorrow’s wealth’’
Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Agricultural Research House
Plot 223D Cadastral Zone B6, Mabushi P. M. B. 5026, Wuse - Abuja
info@arcn.gov.ng www.arcn.gov.ngPhone: 9155000070 E-mail: Website:
ARCN
EWSLETTEREWSLETTER
Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu mni, FCVSN
Executive Secretary, ARCN