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EUROPEAN UNION – WEST AFRICA AGRO-BUSINESS SECTOR MEETING STRATEGIC EVALUATION OF THE AGRO-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR - NIGERIA Prepared for: PRIMS – CDE on behalf of the European Commission and ECOWAS This report, and the research behind it, is the work of SOFRECO, France assisted by a team of local consultants in West Africa under contract to Metra Sofres Ltd. of the United Kingdom. The report has been prepared with financial assistance from the Commission of the European Communities. The views expressed herein are those of the Consultant and therefore in no way reflect the official opinion of the Commission. EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. GENERAL COUNTRY DATA .........................................................................................................4 1.1. KEY ECONOMIC DATA ....................................................................................................................4 1.2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT ............................................................................................4 1.3. AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK FARMING IN THE ECONOMY ......................................5 2. SELECTED AGRO-INDUSTRIAL SECTORS..............................................................................5 2.1. TUBERCULATE CROPS AND PROCESSING .......................................................................................5 2.1.1. General remarks .............................................................................................................5 2.1.2. Production data...............................................................................................................6 2.1.3. Local processing.............................................................................................................6 2.1.4. Development potential and constraints ..........................................................................7 2.1.5. Development outlook and partnering needs ...................................................................8 2.2. THE OLEAGINOUS CROPS INDUSTRY ..............................................................................................8 2.2.1. General remarks .............................................................................................................8 2.2.2. Production and sales levels, and prices .........................................................................9 2.2.3. Local processing and export outlets .............................................................................11 2.2.4. Potentials and constraints, partnering needs ...............................................................11 2.3. THE GUM ARABIC INDUSTRY ........................................................................................................12 2.3.1. General remarks ...........................................................................................................12 2.3.2. Production and commercialisation................................................................................13 2.3.3. Local processing...........................................................................................................13 2.3.4. The international market ...............................................................................................13 2.3.5. Potentials and constraints, partnering needs ...............................................................15 2.4. LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY INDUSTRIES .......................................................................................15 2.4.1. General remarks ...........................................................................................................15 2.4.2. Production data.............................................................................................................16 2.4.3. Modern or industrial operations and local processing ..................................................17 2.4.4. Development potentials and constraints.......................................................................18 2.4.5. Partnering needs ..........................................................................................................19 SOFRECO -3- EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study 1. General country data 1.1. Key economic data Surface area 923,768 sq. kms Population (2000) 126.9 Million Population growth (average 1994–2000) 2.7 % per year GDP (2000) 43.7 Billion € GDP / capita 344 € Exchange rate (June 2002) 1 € ≈ 110 Nairas GDP by sector. (2000) : Agriculture 29.5 % Industry and mining 46.0 % Services 24.5 % 1999 2000 2001 Change in GDP +1.1% +3.8% - Price deflator (Inflation rate) +6.6% +6.9% - External trade account (2000): Exports FOB 21.7 Billion € Imports CIF 14.5 Billion € Principal primary commodity exports Cocoa, rubber (excluding petroleum) Source: IBRD 1.2. Economic development context At the end of the 1990s, Nigeria's economic and social context was characterized by slow growth, increasing salary and wage differentials and inequality, and the flight of capital. All economic sectors other than the oil sector, particularly agriculture and agro-industries, were systematically neglected. Following the restoration of democracy in 1999 the program for economic recovery that was put in place, and which sets the privatisation or restructuring of major State owned companies, has been slowly applied, and slow to produce concrete results. Thus the achievement of the government in reducing budget deficits has not been accompanied by overall improvement in the economic situation, notably because of the following: Dependence on petroleum revenues is almost total, with exports of crude oil supplying 95% of State revenues. Savings rates remain very low at less than 10% of GDP. Continuing threat of inflation taking off, with much, and increasing utilization of the US dollar within the economy. In addition, it is noted that the role of the 'informal' or non cash economy in total national economic activity is estimated at 70% of this, making difficult the analysis and interpretation of Nigeria's economic context only using official data. However and despite this, Nigeria has an estimated $ 115 Billion economy making it an African giant. Combined with its demographic power (over 126 Million) this country dominates the West African economy. SOFRECO -4- EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study 1.3. Agriculture, fisheries and livestock farming in the economy In the 1960s, Nigeria obtained up to 70% of its export revenues from agriculture, and agro- industrial exports. Today this proportion is less than 10%. Nigeria, once a major food exporter, must now import food, and notably sugar, rice, wheat, chicken meat and milk for ongoing consumption requirements of its population. The agricultural sector however remains a key element for the economic and social stability of the country. Nigeria's agricultural sector accounts for about 30% of real GDP, and is the largest single source of employment, with about 43% of the economically active population engaged. Nigeria is one of the world's largest producers of cocoa, and the country encompasses a large variety of climatic and ecological zones, enabling the cultivation of many crops and harvesting of natural products, including rubber trees, peanuts, cotton, oil palms and others. Food staple crops are dominated by cassava and yams, followed by sorghum, millet, maize and rice. Livestock farming and herding accounts for about 10% of GDP, and Nigeria's herds and flocks of cattle, sheep and goats are the largest in West Africa. Total numbers are estimated at 15 million cattle, and 75 million other livestock animals, mostly sheep and goats. Nigeria also has about 5 million pigs and 100 million poultry birds. While Nigeria has extensive bodies of water and maritime fishing areas (960km of coast, and a large number of rivers and internal water bodies) fisheries activities are stagnant due to insufficient investment producing much less than its potential. By consequence, Nigeria is a large importer of fish and seafood, while remaining an important exporter of shrimps and prawns. Total economic dependence on necessarily depleting petroleum resources would appear to have been recognized for the danger it poses, and real political will appears to exist for relaunching the agricultural sector. To this end, the government has set new rural credit and loan structures and new agriculture-oriented institutions in place. 2. Selected agro-industrial sectors Traditional agricultural exports (cocoa, rubber and others) are continuing to slip back. Conversely, a large potential for development and growth in non-traditional and new agro industries are emerging, notably for food supplies and foodstuffs from tuber crops. Other industrial potentials, of considerable magnitude, exist in livestock, in gum arabic, and in several oleaginous crops (including sesame, coconut and shea nut). 2.1. Tuberculate crops and processing 2.1.1. General remarks In a general sense, cassava and yams are crops likely to become major industrial cash crops in several Sub-Saharan African countries. In Nigeria, zones of cultivation for cassava and yams are in the south of the country, and provide the bulk of local food supplies for starchy SOFRECO -5- EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study foodstuffs. Annual production of each is estimated at about 25 – 35 million tonnes. These tuberculate crops are consumed as fresh vegetables, but are also often processed and sold in the form of dried foodstuffs, notably in urban areas. Processed forms include: Dried, selected roots (cossettes), for yams; Flour, cossettes, granulates and starch extracts, for cassava. 2.1.2. Production data Table 1: Estimated production, cassava and yams (Million tonnes) 1988 1992 1997 1998 1999 2000 Change 1988/2000 Cassava 15.5 29.2 33.5 34.1 33.5 33.7 + 117% Yams 9.1 19.7 24.8 25.0 24.6 24.8 + 173% Source: Federal Office of Statistics. Production of these two crops has expanded since the end of the 1980s. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of yams, and, taking both tuberculate crops into consideration, accounts for about 25% - 30% of combined world total production. In recent years there has been an observable increase in average yields, with projects such as the introduction by the IITA1 of improved species in the Ibadan region, resulting in significant local yield increases. Overall, however, much remains to be done with yield averages for both crops, because national averages are only about 10 - 12 tonnes/hectare/year. Nigeria's fast population growth resulting in strong domestic market growth for staple foods (and especially in urban areas) is a certain 'pull' factor for continued growth of production. 2.1.3. Local processing a. Description of the processing industry Processing of yams to cossettes is a major activity in the west of the country. Traditionally, selected parts of yam roots, and wastes from yam preparation, are dried and gathered together as a stored foodstuff for tiding over annual periods of food shortage. Today, whole yams are dried to produce cossettes, and this form of processing has enabled yams to be more widely sold in urban areas. Compared with other regional countries, Nigerian cassava processing methods yield a larger variety of final foodstuff products, but industrial processing remains small in scale, only taking about 5% of national cassava crop production. A small part of cossette production, about 24 tonnes/day, is further processed by the Nigerian Yeast and Alcohol Company to produce ethanol. Other processing activities utilizing cassava include the production of sugared snack bars. c. Product positioning, market segment competition and outlets Concerning the domestic market, pastes made up from yam cossettes are now directly competitive with cassava-based foodstuffs. Utilizing yam cossettes, urban consumers now 1 International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. SOFRECO -6- EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study have a choice other than traditional foutou or amala, and yam-based products have made considerable market progress, becoming the main staple in the northwest of the country. Yam and cassava-based products are also competitive in export markets. Yam exports to regional neighbour countries is 80% as yam cossettes, while exports to Europe and the USA are of both cossettes and yam flour. However, demand outside African markets for cassava and cassava-based human foodstuffs remains weak. Exports are mainly as a raw material, notably for animal feed manufacture, and in the pharmaceuticals industry. Thailand, which has a competitive cost structure and efficient transportation and processing industries, remains dominant in these industries. Nigeria's potential customers, however, are likely the Far Eastern markets of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, etc. World prices for cassava starch track those for cassava cossettes, with FOB Bangkok prices ranging from and average of 226 USD/tonne in 1990 to 165 USD/tonne in 1999. Processing of cassava to semolina results in a 75% weight loss relative to input raw materials, and cassava semolina has a cost price of about 28 Nairas/kg (around 0.28 Euro). Given that current world price levels for unprocessed cassava, of between 170 and 200 USD/tonne, Nigerian processed cassava would not be competitive on world markets. Conversely, the relatively low cost of processing to cossettes in Nigeria encourages exporters to try exporting this product. Current internal market prices for raw cassava are low at about 3000 Nairas/tonne (about 26 USD). Taking a 4 : 1 processing weight loss, input costs per tonne of cossettes can be estimated at about 170 – 175 USD/tonne. However, major European importers such as the Diedrich (Germany) and Tipiac (France) companies prefer to source their cassava raw material supplies in Asia and Brazil, citing quality problems for Nigerian source cossettes. 2.1.4. Development potential and constraints Cassava and yam cultivation has the following advantages: Both are food staples and play a key role in national food security. Both these crops are less sensitive to climatic fluctuations than cereal crops grown in the same regions, and therefore suffer much less variation in annual output. Both industries have promising potential, if sufficient investment is made in industrial processing plant and organization. There are however distinct needs for the preservation of harvested crops to reduce losses after harvesting. Traditional storage and preservation of yams (in earth berms, underground) is in fact wasteful because these methods do not protect the root. Raw, unprocessed yams therefore must be transported without delay to market, and increases transportation costs per unit weight and final price to the consumer. Prices are furthermore highly seasonal, because arrivals depend on harvest cycles, and also because consumer preference goes to large roots. This latter specific characteristic of the domestic market is culturally determined. Overall, given the constraints on fresh yams, the processing to cossettes is yet more favourable as an industrial development strategy, and has numerous advantages: Cossettes can be produced using yam varieties with smaller roots that are easier to cultivate; Processing is not technically demanding and can be carried out by relatively low cost plants not requiring heavy outlays from producers; Supply, and therefore price stability will be increased; SOFRECO -7- EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study Transportation costs, for dried products, are lower than for raw cassava; Final market prices will be lower and thus more competitive, and cossettes may be used as a raw material for onward processing by other industries. There are difficulties however in assuring sufficient drying in open-air conditions in seasons other than the harmattan (of dry wind). Techniques and technology for cassava preservation and conditioning extend from the entirely traditional (burying, covering and watering, coating with clayey soil and drying, covering with sawdust, etc), to the most modern (freezing, sealed packaging, chemical treatment, etc). Depending on method used, cassava can be preserved in edible condition for a period of between a few days and several weeks. There are however sure advantages to processing yielding dried goods and raw materials for processing to animal feeds and for starch-based industries. There are two major constraints on development of cassava as an input to animal feeds manufacture, and making cossettes and granulated cassava uncompetitive relative to imported animal feeds: Low world market prices for cereal and cereal-based feeds; Overvaluation of the Nigerian currency. 2.1.5. Development outlook and partnering needs Concerning yam cossettes, success for any project targeting industrialization will depend on output goods being adapted to consumer tastes in the national market. It will therefore be necessary to first conduct consumer acceptance testing, and even to consider modification of the product's or products' organoleptic characteristics. Concerning cassava, for which there already exist significant international market potentials for certain processed and derived products, the main priority will be to reduce costs through better industrial organization, and above all to ensure product quality standards equal to those of competing Asian goods and products. This latter requirement implies the need for partnering with a view to technology transfer, ensuring better final market prices for Nigerian production. 2.2. The oleaginous crops industry 2.2.1. General remarks Nigeria is a large producer of peanuts and palm oil, but domestic edible oil demand exceeds national production, the shortfall in supply being estimated at about 300,000 tonnes per year. Industries based on oleaginous crops are not covered by this report, which focuses the shea nut industry, which is currently little developed but has major potential. This report also concerns other 'emerging' oleaginous crops and processed goods (namely soybeans, coconut and sesame), and for which the final market goods and products do not fall into the category of edible oils. For the above-mentioned and studied crops, Nigerian cultivation extends over the following surface areas (using FAO estimates): 150,000 ha of annual sesame acreage; SOFRECO -8- EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study 600,000 ha of annual soybean acreage; about 230,000 ha of shea nut tree 'plantations' (stands); 35,000 ha of coconut tree plantations. The bulk of production obtained from the above plants is domestically consumed. That exportation which exists almost entirely excludes processed products and goods (such as sesame oil, soy oil, and shea nut butter), the only and notable exception to this being the export of coprah oil and cake. Of the other crops mentioned, only sesame seed figures as a sizeable export commodity. 2.2.2. Production and sales levels, and prices Estimated annual production (en tonnes) Estimation de laproduction (tonnes) 500000 450000 400000 350000 sésame seed Sesame 300000 Soybeans soja 250000 200000 noix de coco Coconut Shea nut 150000 karité 100000 50000 0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Source: Faostat. a. Shea nut Following consistent annual growths in output through 1990-95, for an increase of about 25% in output, shea nut production in Nigeria has not continued its growth trend. Despite this, however, Nigeria remains the dominant world producer of this agricultural commodity, with about 60% of world production. Total output is now close to 400,000 tonnes of shea nuts per year, but all production is consumed by the domestic market. b. Soybeans and derivatives For the period 1995-2000 the fastest growth in major Nigerian agricultural commodity production was for soybean production. A part of this growth can be explained by the introduction of high yield varieties. However, following the record output levels achieved to 2000, production growth has stagnated, notably due to less favourable climatic conditions for this crop. From the end of the 1980s the development of soybean production has been sought by Nigerian planners, but this has not been followed up by consistent growth in domestic consumption, leading to major quantities being placed on the export market, notably as bulk SOFRECO -9- EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study soy exports for production of animal feeds in Europe and in West African regional markets (notably Ghana). Table 2: Estimated exports of soybean seed (tonnes) Year 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Tonnes 460 108 17 10,530 300 9,000 Source: Faostat. Soybean export prices fluctuate with world market conditions and showed consistent upward movement through the 1990s until 1997, attaining some 307 USD/tonne on a CIF Rotterdam base that year. Since that year prices have tended to retreat, with recent annual average prices being in the region of 200 USD per tonne on a European landed base. Soybean cake is also exported, but export volumes are highly variable from one year to he next. In addition, local processing industries make use of soybean cake as a substitute for raw pal moil inputs to processing when palm oil is short in supply for their annual programs of production. c. Sesame The major production zones for sesame are the savannah region extending the Guinea border, and the centre northern Sahel zone. Sesame is traditionally used as a foodstuff by rural communities, through mixing the seeds with sugar. As a food staple, sesame is not a major crop, and cultivation is as a secondary activity and with generally low yields (about 300 kgs/ha). Many varieties are cultivated, while that destined for export is a variety with a high vegetable oils content. Table 3: Estimated Nigerian sesame exports 1995-2000 (tonnes) Year 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Tonnes 13,000 34,000 27,000 29,000 35,000 30,000 Source: data compiled by Faostat / Cirad. Nigeria's main export customer for sesame exports is Japan, with over 34,000 tonnes exported to Japan in 20012), where sesame is mainly utilized for processing to vegetable oil. Total exports by Nigeria in 2000 were for an estimated value of more than 20 Million US dollars. It can be noted that considerable quantities of sesame exported from Nigeria originate in Niger, thus Nigerian export data for this crop overstates the national component in this trade. Nigerian, as well as other producer prices for sesame were relatively buoyant in early 2002, despite having shrunk back from the high levels of recent years. Prices for sesame in 2002 are in the range of 400 – 450 USD/tonne, compared with over 700 USD/tonne in early 1999, on a FOB base. The role of the Japanese market being very important, and this country having experienced significant falls in Yen purchasing power due to depreciation, any large increase in sesame prices can lead to falls in Japanese import levels and a major fall in export outlets for Nigerian sesame. d. Coconut 2 Source: Tropical Markets ('Marchés Tropicaux'), Jan 11, 2002. SOFRECO - 10 - EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study Although an estimated 70% of all coconut production is taken by the domestic market, mainly as a fresh product, Nigeria is Africa's largest exporter of coconut oil to the EU market, with a volume of more than 11,000 tonnes in 1999, followed by Ivory Coast. However, export volumes are highly variable from one year to the next, for example varying from over 29,000 tonnes in 1997 to less than 2,500 tonnes in 1998 (source: ProFound). 2.2.3. Local processing and export outlets a. Export of unprocessed commodities In 1998, Nigeria was the seventh-largest world exporter of sesame seed, and in recent years has become Japan's largest supplier, the Japanese market being the world's largest. In order to achieve this success, Nigeria's sesame producers and exporters have focused product quality, including the very low levels of pesticide residues, and the attractive price at which the commodity can be offered. In part, this success can be attributed to the role of the French Bolloré corporation, which has bought out and restarted operations at an industrial sesame cleaning and processing plant, in the Lagos area. b. Local processing of soy, sesame and shea nut Several companies, including Zuma Food Industries and Farina Limited, have made market trials in Nigeria with soymilk, but have met with little success. Consequently, Zuma Food's processing plant for soymilk production has been taken out of production. However, introduction of simple and low cost Japanese processing methods for the production of curd (tofu) has resulted in a small but growing domestic market for this foodstuff. The largest producer region for sesame is Nasawara State, and this state's authorities, and local agribusiness interests are in discussion concerning the possible construction of a sesame processing plant in the State. The principal processed product from shea nut is the butter, and the bulk of shea nut butter production is by traditional or artisanal means. Overall, domestic and local market potentials for shea nut butter are promising, both for personal consumption and as an industrial raw material for several production sectors. 2.2.4. Potentials and constraints, partnering needs Because Nigeria's economy has experienced major difficulties, import levels of protein-rich commodities and foodstuffs has declined in recent years. In this context, the production and processing of soybeans (containing about 40% by weight of proteins) offers a lower cost source of food protein, and development of soy-based industries is of national interest for protein supply to the country. There are two major constraints on development of soybean production and processing: Relative to world market prices, Nigeria's production is not competitive notably because of the strong level of US subsidies to its national producers, and to numerous world agro commodity trading agreements concerning volumes and prices. Consequently, the recent start up of soy oil marketing in Nigeria by a large private company is based on the import of US soy oil, shipped ready-to-use in sea freight containers. These operations started in January 2002. SOFRECO - 11 - EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study Further, the domestic market is characterized by weak demand. Marketing effort for soy- based foodstuffs in Nigeria are not ordered and coherent, with these products being presented as an upmarket, luxury foodstuff. In reality, soybean production, and soy- based products can be utilized in a number of processing industries to supply competitively priced goods. Thus soy oil and soy flour can be utilized for the production of baby foods, and also for animal feeds production. Soy cake can also by hydrolysed, to extract protein, and can be marketed as soup, and flavour cubes for household cooking. In a general sense, value adding by the development of soy-based processing industries is a strategy that also applies to the majority of oleaginous crops covered by this report. The utilization of residues and by-products is a key to feasibility of ventures, for example those from the first-level of processing of sesame to yield edible oils, which can be utilized for the production of poultry feeds. Industrial utilization of coconut would likely offer attractive potentials for development. According to a study by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, current industrial use of coconuts has an annual value of less than 3 Million Naira, but could with ease be tripled. Despite the relatively recent introduction of several of the oleaginous crops focused by this report, growth has been considerable for most of them. As one example, noted previously, Nigeria is a major world player in the sesame market, with about 10% of that market. Ways and means for the continued growth of sesame production have been the focus of studies, started in 1997, at the National Cereals Research Institute. Further, a national network of scientific and technical experts, industrial players, small producers, and trading interests has been established to the end of improving performance in this industry, and the network is actively seeking business partners. Both the upstream, and downstream aspects of the sesame industry are addressed by this effort, while an immediate step can be taken to improve production through the introduction of improved varieties, and also through better harvesting and related operations. At this time, the large Asian sesame producers, notably China, India and Viet Nam, are unable to respond to increasing world demand offering scope and promise for Nigerian efforts. Nigeria is also advantaged by its good quality sesame (sweet tasting, light coloured, low pesticide residues). Nigeria therefore requires business partnering in this industry, and in particular in the following domains: Improving the main varieties in cultivation; Increasing national and local sesame cleaning capacity (mechanical sorting and cleaning); Sectoral organization and structuring, including improved capacity for compliance with contractual requirements (quality control, tonnage engagements, delivery schedules, etc). 2.3. The gum arabic industry 2.3.1. General remarks Gum arabic is extracted from the Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal tree shrubs, the former providing the highest quality gum (hard gum), commanding the highest market prices. The main utilization of gum arabic is as an additive in several foodstuffs industries, including SOFRECO - 12 - EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study pastry making, wine production, jam making, etc., and as a processing base for certain pharmaceuticals, and a stabilizer for glues and intermediate processing agent in several industries including the textiles, printing, and paints industries. Imports of gum arabic by advanced industrial countries are almost exclusively of African origin, and particularly from the following production zones: Senegal River basin (Senegal, Mali, Mauritania); Lake Chad region (Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, Central African republic, Chad); Nile River basin (Sudan, Ethiopia). Nigeria is currently the third-largest exporter of gum arabic, behind Sudan and Chad, and supplies about 10% of world import demand for this commodity. In October 2001, the FAO made available a 400,000 USD loan for the strengthening of Nigeria's gum arabic industry and the stimulation of production, which has considerably fallen back relative to the 1970s (annual output in 1975 was 49,000 tonnes; current output is about 7,000 tonnes per year). 2.3.2. Production and commercialisation Production is exclusively from gum-bearing trees, and local producers are typically peasant farmers collecting gum as a secondary or complementary source of revenue. Trees are bled as for rubber latex collection, and extracted gum is collected from individual trees on 1 – 2 month rotating base, after incision of the trunks, and in the dry season period November – May, with largest amounts being collected in December and in April. Yield per tree is about 250 grams, in the form of solidified pellets or balls. The commercialisation channel for gum arabic starts at the local and village base, followed by regional and national wholesalers, and then exporter entities. Currently, Nigeria has some nine major exporter companies, whose exports are packed in sacks, then sea freighted by container. This raw gum arabic is mainly exported to Germany, India, Singapore, the UK and USA. 2.3.3. Local processing At end January 2002, the Nigerian Importer Service Corporation and the Coca-Cola Corporation brought their joint-owned Maigatari (Jigawa State, northwestern Nigeria) gum arabic processing plant into operation. In genera terms, an increasing number of international players are involved in West African gum arabic production, processing and marketing. Their usual operating procedure is the creation of local subsidiaries or joint ventures, and the installation gum crushing and kneading plants for first-stage processing. These participations and installation of processing capacity immediately add value to the existing local economic activity based on gum arabic. Second-stage processing of gum arabic is higher technology (dissociation) and is currently not carried out in Africa. Preliminary treatment of collected gum arabic, essentially the removal of foreign bodies and wastes, followed by crushing, can be undertaken close to production areas. Through primary processing, the output product can attain a value of about 200 USD/tonne. 2.3.4. The international market SOFRECO - 13 - EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study After several years of relative decline, world import levels of gum arabic have recently shown sustained growth, with shipments rising by about 25% through 1995-2000. In value terms, world gum arabic trade was worth about 90 Million US dollars in 2000. A few only countries dominate this industry: in 1995, some 95% of wold export volume arose from the three countries Sudan (56%), Chad (29%) and Nigeria (10%). Principal importer countries are likewise concentrated into three main players: France (46%), which is both an importer and re-exporter, the USA (21%) and the UK (12%). Table 4: EU importation of gum arabic by source (3 main exporters, tonnes) 1995 1996 1997 Sudan 10,752 10,834 9,801 Chad 5,453 4,941 6,777 Nigeria 3,683 4,314 5,506 Source: Eurostat, 1998. The friable or crumbly resinous gum from the Acacia seyal has increased its market scope, from 1999, through its certification for use as a food additive by several major international bodies. This increase of market potential for the friable gum has effectively narrowed the previously strong price differential in favour of the hard gum. IMPORT PRICES USD/ton Nigeria 1 = Hard gum; Nigeria 2 = Friable gum Source: www.pdiam-div.org World market prices, as shown above, suffered considerable erosion through the second half of the 1990s, from levels of better than 4000 USD/tonne to less than one-half this price level. Recently, prices have begun to edge upwards, with average prices paid for FOB Lagos shipments in June 2002 attaining 850 – 1,200 USD/tonne. There is however a cap on this upward movement, very much higher prices encouraging importers to utilize starch-based substitutes. Certain African producers have concentrated on domestic and regional markets, for consumption and processing utilization. This applies to Chadian exports of gum arabic, where an increasing volume of shipments is made to Nigerian industrial importers. Because of Chad's gum arabic being of recognized quality, some Nigerian players utilize Chadian gum SOFRECO - 14 - EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study arabic as a quality-raising ingredient to their own formulations, enabling them to obtain better local and export prices for their products. 2.3.5. Potentials and constraints, partnering needs Forward potential for Nigerian gum arabic is excellent, as for the two other main producer countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. This is due to the fact that production is relatively fixed while world demand for organic foods is rapidly increasing. In this market segment there is no competitor product or finished foodstuff having the same quality/price relationship. Chadian gum arabic exporting success over recent years provides a model, with its gum arabic moving from about 5% to 30% of supply source for organic foodstuffs based on gum arabic. For exporting success, Nigeria will have to target the best market segments, as will as those country markets of largest import potential, notably in Asia and S America (China, Brazil, Argentina and others). Nigeria's current weakness for capitalizing on improving gum arabic market potentials is that it lacks added value, processing industries. Conversely, in Europe, the industrial processing of gum arabic provides a mark up, comparing prices by unit weight for input and output products and goods, of at least 100% - 180%, while primary processing (cleaning and crushing) is limited to an added value of about 10% by weight. The constraint, here, is that secondary processing requires considerable investment and know-how, and processing plant requires skilled maintenance, and is energy intensive for electricity. The step made in May 2000 through the creation of the NGARA (Network on Gum and Resins in Africa) can likely contribute to strengthening the gum arabic industry both in Nigeria and its regional neighbour countries. This network seeks to improve know-how, exchange information and views, and develop commercial channels for and amongst industry players. Technology transfer partnering, bringing higher technology processing capacities to Nigeria and initially focusing the primary processing stage, will have also to be accompanied by financial partnering, due to the lack of access to credit and loans in this industry. 2.4. Livestock and poultry industries 2.4.1. General remarks Given the very large domestic market potentials that exist in Nigeria, and the likely evolution of consumption trends, the two following subsectors can be readily identified as the most promising: Milk and milk products; Poultry farming for meat and hens egg production. The production of milk, and beef meat, is of course linked to cattle farming and grazing areas of the country. Further, the tradition of cattle farming and herding is accompanied by livestock being the major source of capital and wealth in the informal or traditional economy or rural areas. The large areas of savannah vegetation in Nigeria (covering about two-thirds of the territory) provide the bulk of grazing land and animal feed to livestock herds. Most cattle herders utilize these traditional resources, and practice migratory herding, but due to population pressure and modernization there are increasing number of sedentary livestock operators, with national herd being approximately split 50/50 into nomadic and sedentary SOFRECO - 15 - EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study operations. Environmental factors play an essential part in determination of livestock farming type in any particular locality: Length of dry season, with decreased potential for sedentary farming towards the northern, dry savannah zones; Incidence and extent of tsetse fly infestation (vector of trypanosomiasis), which limits potentials for livestock operations in the southern areas of marked wet seasons. Other factors, such as urban-linked milk and milk products demand, also exert an influence on geographical location and extent of livestock activities. While the northwest savannah zone is reputed for the quality of its beef, mutton and goat meat, poultry farming is in rapid expansion in south western Nigeria. Poultry farming and related industries can be broken down into two main groupings: Traditional village-based farming, currently accounting for about 85% of bird numbers and persons engaged in this activity, but exposed to severe limits on productivity and stability of production through bird diseases, notably Newcastle disease (...); Intensive farming, producing about 15% of output, and concentrated in urban fringe areas. State intervention in this industry is notably and firstly through the levying of very high taxes on imported chicken meat and eggs, to favour local production. Further, any new processing venture in this sector is accorded tax-free status for a period of 5 years. 2.4.2. Production data Livestock and poultry numbers ('000 head) 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998* bovines ovines caprines (goats) pigs poultry * Forecast Source: Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The sustained growth of poultry flocks can in part be explained by the ready availability of vaccines against bird disease, from the National Veterinary Research Institute. In the livestock sector, programs targeting improved animal health and hygiene have been recently intensified, resulting in a marked decrease of foot-and-mouth and respiratory diseases. Overall, however, growth remains modest relative to demand for animal products, due to strong demographic growth, and particularly in and of urban areas. SOFRECO - 16 - EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study Annual milk production in Nigeria is above 900,000 tonnes. Local herds and animal varieties have low milk productivity, estimated at an average in the region of 800 – 2000 litres/cow/year, against milk production capacities of certain 'exotic' varieties (imported milk cows) which are able to attain 4,000 – 6,000 litres per animal on an annual base. Domestic production of chicken meat is not able meet demand, estimated at about 100,000 tonnes per year. In overall terms, traditional and smaller scale production of chickens, turkeys, ducks and other poultry only covers about 50% of internal demand, to which current intensively reared and industrialized production adds about 25,000 tonnes per year. The remainder, about 25% of national consumption, is imported, with these imports bearing a 75% import levy by value. Because this levy is so high, much of the imported meat arriving on the Nigerian market is smuggled or illicitly obtained. 2.4.3. Modern or industrial operations and local processing a. Milk and milk products industry There are a few intensive milk production operations, exclusively around major urban areas. In general, and as in other agro-industries, Nigeria is heavily dependent on imports, in this case of powdered milk. The West Africa Milk Company, a leader in this industry, utilizes imported powdered milk as it raw material input, for the manufacture of several milk products (including butter, cheeses, chocolate drinks, etc). These are exclusively distributed on local markets. The Company also has its own herd of some 480 Holsteins. Turnover from operations in 1999 was more than 7.3 Million Nairas or about 80,000 Euros. As for the Niger Livestock Company, the Livestock Investment Company (former Minna Dairies) distributes both poultry and milk products. The former has one, small processing plant for yoghurt production, but has ceased sourcing milk from national producers and bases its production exclusively on imported powdered milk. The Index Investments company has been recently taken over and is now being fully restructured. Its purchasers intend to utilize the 60 ha of land included in the purchase for the development of production facilities including a yoghurt-manufacturing unit, but do not intend farming any livestock on their land. Located on the Kaduna-Abuja transportation corridor, the Niyya Farmers company land extends over 500 ha and has a milk herd of more than 150 head including about 12 Montbeliard cattle. This company utilizes artificial insemination. Milking operations remain manual, and daily output is less than 500 litres. Due to insufficient supplies of raw milk, the modern processing equipment of this company, for production of soft cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, butter and skimmed milk, remain largely under-utilized. Located close to Kaduna, the plant and facilities operated by the Nigeria Dairies Company had a design capacity of 16,000 litres/day of milk input. However, the facilities of this company are no longer in operation because of the lack of spare parts for no aging equipment. The construction of milk processing plants in Taraba and Cross River States is in the planning stage. The regions concerned are free of tsetse flies and lend themselves to milk cow herds because of their altitude. SOFRECO - 17 - EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study b. Poultry industries After a long period of declining production, with national sales volume falling to 10 million chickens in 1997 against 40 million in 1982, production has been steadily rising in recent years. Over 18 million chickens were slaughtered and sold in 2000. One factor explaining this relaunch of domestic production is the reduction of customs levies on chicken feed supplements and antibiotics. Currently, the industry suffers from competition due to imported pullets and chickens. The industry's lack of competitiveness can in part be explained by the high cost of chicken feeds, local produced maize being offered at a price of around 300 USD/tonne, while US-produced maize on world markets is much less costly. However, import levies on maize are around 70%, preventing local poultry industries from utilizing this source. At present, industry lobbyists, together with US interests, are seeking to have the Nigerian government reduce its maize levies. Wholesale prices for imported frozen chickens and meat vary in a range of 290 – 300 Naira per bird (2.7 – 2.8 Euro), while production costs for locally produced chickens are about 300 Naira for a live weight bird of 1.7 – 1.8 kgs. Under these conditions, small producers are unable to cover their costs and are progressively leaving the industry, with bigger operations taking their market share. Concerning producers of chicken feeds, accounting for about 95% of all animal feeds production in Nigeria, these players are increasingly orienting themselves to substitution of maize in their formulations, for example by using soft wheat (on which government import levies are only 15% by value). The number of laying hens in intensive or industrialized operations has considerably increased in recent years. From less than 4.3 million birds in 1996 numbers have grown to more than 8.8 million in 2001. This growth is market driven, and notably due to marketing and information campaigns for egg acceptance, notably in the school system. National consumption, however, remains low at about 10 eggs per person per year. On average, this type of industrial operation will have about 50,000 laying hens. Certain types utilize entirely automated feeding systems, while others include smaller or larger numbers of manual operations. Feed supplies are from large milling entities producing chicken feeds, Nigeria's feeds industry being dominated by 4 companies producing about one-half of chicken feed supplies. These companies are: Top Feed, BFFM, Livestock Feed and Speed-Sanders. Remaining quantities are produced by the chicken farming operators from their own resources of local suppliers, without quality control or checking on input substances and products, resulting in generally low quality feeds. Average egg prices in Nigeria are 10 Nairas per egg (slightly under 10 Euro cents). 2.4.4. Development potentials and constraints The main advantages for the livestock and animal farming industries are the following: Animal products furnish a very large proportion of rural employment and revenues, and rural populations have a vital interest in development of these industries; The existence of strong domestic demand which is currently, and largely unsatisfied, both for meat and milk products. The main weaknesses that can be identified are numerous and include the following: Access to water and to grazing resources are increasingly limited. Feed supply difficulties are shown by the ever-increasing land areas given over to forage crops. This limit on SOFRECO - 18 - EU/ECOWAS West African Agricultural Industry Study development of the industry, particularly strong in areas affected by dry season climate (the north), requires a better organized linkage of crop agriculture and livestock farming, for example through the development of more intensive cultivation of leguminous crops, to provide dry season forage. The impact of animal disease remains a strong negative factor, and the range and availability of veterinary products and services is not adequate. Lack of credit and loan facilities for small operators. Continuing increase of import volumes Using FAO forecasts, Nigeria will likely require imports of 4 million tonnes of milk per year in the coming decade, while current supply, including 350,000 tonnes of imports, is around 1.3 million tonnes. Concerning cattle farming, and particularly the milk and milk products industries, there are specific constraints on development, including: Very low productivity per animal in traditional farming operations; A lack of quality cattle feeds able to improve and sustain production; High incidences of rustling and theft of livestock; Strong seasonal variation in demand for milk products. Concerning industrialized poultry farming and egg production the key weakness resides in the cost of feeds which, through their high level, diminish earnings potential and feasibility of operations. Further, development of poultry farming is faced with several other constraints, including: Available loans for projects in this sector are at high interest rates (around 35% p.a.); Equipment and installations heavily depend on imports (for example of cages and feeder equipment) which are costly; 1-day chicks are mainly imported, notably due to the very high level of mortality of local produced chicks; Local produced chicken feeds by small operators lack supplements (vitamins and minerals) and are also often of low quality or present health risks; Feeds, produced goods and eggs are often badly or unhygienically stored or conditioned. 2.4.5. Partnering needs Technical know-how will be required in order to ensure that the necessary level of hygiene can be guaranteed for marketed products, but is also required for improvement of packaging and presentation. In addition to technical and technological partnering, financial needs are evident, notably for the acquisition of modern processing plant. In general, this partnering can likely focus existing players in the industry. More specifically, partnering needs in the milk and milk products industry are in the following areas: development and strengthening of milk cooperatives, for the efficient collection of milk, and cooperatives for the production and supply of animal feeds; training of operatives, notably in good animal husbandry practices and the management of crossbred varieties (obtained using 'exotic' or special race animals, offering high productivity, but with low resistance to local conditions); improvement of veterinary services; training of local persons for the creation of enterprises providing milk storage, preservation and processing services. SOFRECO - 19 -
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NC Sen.'s Wife Allegedly Claims Amendment One would "Protect Caucasian Race"
May 2, 2012 by HRC staff
Post submitted by Eric Cameron, HRC Digital Media Specialist
Several poll workers in Winston-Salem are reporting that the wife of NC Sen. Peter Brunstetter remarked yesterday that her husband sponsored Amendment One in an effort "to protect the Caucasian race."
Freelance reporter Chad Nance paraphrased Jodie Brunstetter's alleged remarks, as told to him by those who were present:
"During the conversation, Ms. Brunstetter said her husband was the architect of Amendment One, and one of the reasons he wrote it was to protect the Caucasian race. She said Caucasians or whites created this country. We wrote the Constitution. This is about protecting the Constitution. There already is a law on the books against same-sex marriage, but this protects the Constitution from activist judges."
When Nance followed up with Brustetter about her alleged comments, she avoided the question and claimed to be confused, stating, "Right now I have some heat stroke going on…there has been lots of confusion. " A full transcript of Nance's follow-up is available here.
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February 18, 2015

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December 12, 2012
The demand for truck drivers seems to be leading some unscrupulous companies to hire drivers who don't have a commercial driver's license
Tags: Safety & Compliance, CDL, Texas, FMCSA
Author: Deborah Lockridge | Posted @ Wednesday, December 12, 2012 10:01 AM | » Comments(0)
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any cleaning problems with holes/jets of air tubs used as shower?
Looking at a Kohler air tub for a bathroom remodel and was not sure if anyone has run into any problems or headaches trying to keep the holes/jets of the Kohler (or any other make) air tub (located near the bottom of the tub) clean after daily showers in the same tub?
If you have hard water, you may wind up getting calcium and lime buildup. However, it's easy to clean with CLR and a toothpick. If they start to act funky or spray weird or not spray at all, then put some CLR in the bottom with some hot water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then drain the tub, then turn the water and jets back on and they should work well again. The ones that don't just poke with a toothpick or a stick pin and the calcium will come right out. You can do the same thing with shower heads.
My Bain Ultra Air tub will be a year old in Dec. My water is neither hard or soft. I've not had any problems with build up of dirty, discolored or clogged holes. 10 minutes after the pump goes off, a 90 second air "purge" starts that blows out any water that might be in the air chambers. I've read about this sort of thing with water jetted tubs and is one of the reasons I chose air.


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through a process of elimination i know that the film was exposed correctly - i've taken the same shots under the same conditions - the first time i had them developed by a lab so i know what results i should be like.
thanks for the explanation of the stop bath process. I had no idea that the development carried on after dumping the developer...stupid i guess, but that didnt cross my mind. I was developing for the 3 min 15 secs as suggested and then dumping, and then doing the water rinses so what you said makes a lot of sense. I was probably being a bit overcautious and taking my time too since this is the first time i've developed anything - so the time was probably like 4mins or something!!! I'll get myself a stop bath and start using that instead. Seems like it could make a lot of sense.
Have I got this right then (this is gonna sound stupid) - but the developing adds to the film? I mean the density is created by developing for longer? So if I develop for slightly less time then this might reduce the density?
Probably worth adding that I can only see the frame numbers once held up to the light. I've been told elsewhere that this could be a blix problem (i.e. needing longer on the blix stage).
thanks again, greatly appreciated!


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September 24, 2011 /
Career Moves: All Roads Lead to Security
As reported by Government Technology Magazine last week, Michigan is merging physical and cyber security. I will be moving to the newly created role of Michigan Chief Security Officer (CSO) in October. The reaction from my friends and colleagues from around the country has been all over the map ranging from Great move to Are you really ok with this?
September 10, 2011 /
The Day That Changed the Decade: Remembering September 11, 2001
I had just come out of an e-Michigan meeting in the Romney Building in downtown Lansing. It was a few minutes after 9 AM on 9/11/01. Someone yelled, A small plane just hit the World Trade Center in New York!
September 5, 2011 /
Why Computer Geeks Need Sports
Where did you first learn what it means to out-hustle the competition? How did you develop that strong will to win? When was the first time you worked hard with teammates to accomplish a goal? For many readers, the answer is likely to be playing sports.
August 27, 2011 /
Hurricane Irene: Using Technology to Prepare and Clean Up
Hurricanes are notorious for disabling technology by cutting off electricity. In some cases, the threat of coming storms can overwhelm our phone systems and websites. But technology is also being used in new ways to prepare for and clean up after natural disasters, like hurricane Irene.
August 15, 2011 /
Consolidating Data Centers: The New Normal in Government
Governments across North America are now consolidating data centers at an unprecedented pace. This is not just talk, but real action is (finally) occurring.
August 9, 2011 /
MS-ISAC Annual Meeting Focus 2011: Strengthening Partnerships
The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) is holding its annual meeting in Nashville, TN, this week, and the focus is all about ways to strengthen partnerships.
July 31, 2011 /
Anonymous Hackers Continue Assault: ManTech A New Victim
The string of major cyber hacking attacks continued this week, with ManTech International reportedly being the latest company hit. What's to be done?
July 16, 2011 /
Can Crowdsourcing Predict the Future? Forecasting Ace Will Test if Perception is Reality
Going Back to the Future may no longer be just for the movies. The intelligence community has launched a new project which attempts to predict what will happen next by using crowdsourcing techniques.
July 3, 2011 /
ICT Infrastructure: Where Can You Find Innovative Ideas That Work?
Where do you get your blog and/or article ideas? I'm often asked that question. Or colleagues want to know: What are the top ten websites you turn to in order to gauge innovative technology trends?
June 12, 2011 /
What is a healthy cyber ecosystem?
Sometimes we come across a new word or phrase that is not only different, but intriguing. Which brings me to the topic of today's blog: What is a healthy cyber ecosystem?


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Thursday, March 26
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Adir Corp Stackable Roll File Filing Box
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Clear-Com Is On Hand for ITV's Production of Long-Running Soap Opera, Emmerdale Eclipse Matrix with V-Series Panels Offer Reliable, Upgradeable Technology in Network's New HD Studios
The size of the new Eclipse system, which is larger than ITV's previous Eclipse-PiCo system, allows the Emmerdale crew to communicate between the five studios and two production galleries at the ITV complex. The system, which has been in place since the first day in the new complex, is also expandable. This enables the team to incorporate functions to meet more communications needs as they arise in the future.
"With both a quick move and production schedule, we needed a talkback system that would be flexible enough to meet our needs as we grew into the new complex, while also being immediately recognizable to the crew," says Steve Ridley, a senior engineer at ITV.
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Getting HIV From Saliva
Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:
Ask the Experts
Will saliva protect me from getting HIV?At your site you frequently state thet GIVING oral sex to a woman involves some risk of HIV transmission. Yet elsewhere I've also read many times that experts believe that there's something in saliva which helps kill or neutralise the virus....
Response from Rick Sowadsky, M.P.H.
Nevada State Health Division AIDS Program...studies, various factors involving saliva have been found to have either a direct effect, or an indirect effect, against the HIV virus in vitro (in a test tube). Some of these factors include secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI),... Read more »
HIV from saliva...which is a cause for concern if there is no way of getting HIV from saliva. PLEASE can you shed... Read more »
saliva (Facts for Life: What you and the people you care about need to know about HIV/AIDS )can i catch HIV if my partner "sprays" when he talks and his salive gets in my eye? Also can i get... Read more »
HIV/AIDS Advocacy Groups Protest Ruling in Case Regarding HIV-Positive Man, Saliva... Several HIV/AIDS advocacy groups are saying that a recent ruling in a Dallas County, Texas, case that an HIV-positive man who spit into the mouth Read more »
The New Saliva HIV Tests...For years, we have been testing folks for HIV using blood tests. It'ssomething people have become accustomed to. But what if you don't likegetting blood tests? What if Read more »
Innovative Rapid HIV Test Appears to Detect Acute HIV; OraQuick Rapid Saliva Tests Found to Be Not Very Accurate for High Risk Testers... My name's Chris Pilcher and I'm a HIV researcher from UCSF [University of California, San Francisco]. I'm principally interested in HIV diagnostics and particularly Read more »
Case Involving HIV-Positive Man, Saliva Illustrates "Long Way to Go" in Efforts to Reduce Stigma, Letter to Editor Says...Medical Center -- writes in a New York Times letter to the editor written in response to a recent case involving an HIV-positive man who received a 35-year jail sentence for spitting into the mouth and eye of a Dallas police officer. ... Read more »
Connect With Others
HIV from saliva?
Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies...Hi do you think it's possible i got HIV from saliva? a small amount (i'd say 10 drops of saliva but it could be less) got on my hair and my shirt and i don't know if Read more »
Passing on HIV via Saliva
Posted by SaltyWater, 2 Replies...Now I know you can't catch HIV by kissing, but imagine this scenario You know someone is HIv and your cool with it. You know you cant catch it by french kissing, Read more »
Saliva, Hiv, Risks?
Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies...eneters an open sore in your mouth or into your mucous membranes or a cut, and the person giving you oral sex or kissing you is HIV+, are you at a rick of getting HIV? How significant is the risk? Is testing recommended? If one got symptoms... Read more »
Switch625 - HIV Saliva Test
Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies...Switch - what do you know about the HIV saliva test being used by some insurance companies as a substitute for blood testing ? Is is accurate and how does it work ? Read more »
Resource Centers
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SAVANNAH - The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Conference will be from 9 a.m.-noon Monday, May 24, at the Chatham County Health Department, 1395 Eisenhower Dr. in Savannah. Attendees will discuss how to provide the best possible care for infants who may have hearing issues.
"There's no shame in my game," Herschel Walker said Thursday to a group of soldiers from Winn Army Hospital's Warrior's in Transition Program. The former University of Georgia Bulldog and prolific NFL running back visited the installation, but he was not touting his NFL stats or his Bulldog career.
Winter's heavy rains likely will increase the mosquito population in Liberty County, according to county mosquito control department officials. Although the region is not currently experiencing a mosquito-borne disease threat, cases of west Nile virus have been reported in other parts of Georgia.
Children from Diamond Elementary School showed their commitment to fitness by sacrificing sleep and rising early on Saturday, May 8 to run in the second annual Diamond Elementary School Marathon Club Fun Run on Fort Stewart.
This time of year the grass has been growing, the trees have budded and the shrubs and bushes have flowered. This is all a natural process, and if for some reason it doesn't occur we know that there is a problem.
Through a joint effort between the city of Hinesville, Liberty County and Fort Stewart, the county's public health department is launching the national We Can! health initiative here beginning with a proclamation, lunch and learn and field day activities Friday.
How do we prevent overweight or obese children from becoming overweight or obese adults? According to the U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Adm. Regina Benjamin, obese children are more likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults. Overweight or obese adults are more at risk for several health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer and osteoarthritis.
Real men wear pink and so does their fire truck.
During the April Long County Commission meeting, commissioners said they will look into establishing a wellness program for county employees and senior citizens.
Close to 400 dedicated volunteers were recognized for their committed and compassionate service at Winn Army Community Hospital's 11th annual volunteer awards ceremony Monday.
Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Monday that he is appointing Frank C. Jones as the pro bono Special Attorney General to direct Georgia's participation in challenging the federal health care legislation recently passed by Congress. Georgia is joining the lawsuit filed by 18 other states in federal court in Florida at no cost to the state.
Liberty County's Bottoms Up Coalition is encouraging people to get colo-rectal screenings to check for cancer.
The Coastal Health District encourages Southeast Georgia residents to commit to healthier behaviors for themselves and their families during National Public Health Week.
AUGUSTA - New drugs that are helping fight a multi-front war on cancer may do the same for cardiovascular disease, Medical College of Georgia researchers recently reported.
Pencils ready. Here's a pop quiz.
When people say, "It is not a big deal," one has to believe them. The problem is, with kids, a little deal may be a big deal. For that matter, who is to say what a big or a little deal is for grown-ups?
St. Patrick's Day is associated with many activities in the American imagination: Pinching people who don't wear green, dying the Chicago River and drinking to excess, to name a few.
What's a kid got to do to get a Coke in this town? Well, avoid fast-food restaurants, for starters.
If you want a better relationship with your children, then argue.
Many people shy away from strength training because of a pervasive stigma associated with it: Weight gain. All too often, we hear excuses for why people choose to avoid strength training: "I don't want to bulk up" or "I don't need to focus on weights." However, strength training is an important part of anyone's workout routine, regardless of gender, body size and fitness goals. In fact, the benefits are lifelong and can especially help as you age. Besides the fact that strength training can boost your metabolism by 15 percent, muscle is also a key component to ...
Life certainly dictates its own pace. As the demands of busy schedules pile up, it seems a good night's sleep is the first thing to go. The lack of adequate sleep knows no boundaries. Young people suffer from the same decline of proper sleeping habits as often as their parents. And in an effort to compensate for lost time, the loss of sleep carries its own consequences. Sleep is essential not only to getting through daily life, but also improving the quality of it. Here are 3 reasons why a good night's sleep is worth your time.


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How to Pirate Safely and Stick It to The Man.
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Clean, green and quiet. It feels like flying. No parking fees, no congestion charges. It's fun and fast. Strengthens legs, firms bum. Carry lots of stuff. Cycling burns calories, not oil. www.quickrelease.tv
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Patty pan squash lasagne - how to freeze?
I want to make a simple lasagne using patty pan squash instead of noodles. I would like to freeze it.
However, I can't find instructions for freezing it. Should I cook it first? Should I leave it uncooked? Should I leave it uncooked, but cook the squash first?
This is the recipe that I was going to use:
I freeze regular lasagna all the time and there's never any problem with it.
I read you recipe and see no reason why you couldn't freeze it. I've never frozen squash but I freeze grated zucchini to bake with all the time.
I would cook it just as though you are going to have it for supper, but take it out before it is completely cooked, then cool and freeze.
I didn't look at the cooking time, but with regular lasagna I take it out 15 minutes early. That way it doesn't get over cooked when you reheat it. When I bring it up I let it thaw and put in the oven just until it's hot right through--usually about half an hour. If it starts to brown too much I cover it with tin foil
Yes, cook it first. It will freeze much better having softened the ingredients first. Cooking time is one hour so take it out around 40-45 min. Don't hesitate to add other veggies you have on hand. Zucchini sliced lengthwise as your 'noodles' (mentioned). chopped spinach,
swiss chard, fresh tomato slices under your final cheese topping, basil. I like a bottom first layer of thin slices of sweet potato.
Here is a link that might be useful: patty-pan lasagne
Grrr. I posted this and then got an error so I have to start from scratch. I freeze spaghetti squash (cooked and shredded) all the time, but I've always frozen it separate from the sauce in individual servings so I could use another topping if I wanted to. I'll have to try this lasagna recipe! You should have no problem at all freezing it. The spaghetti squash has excess moisture when it defrosts, but it does not loose texture, so I just pour the extra moisture off if I don't need it. You shouldn't have that problem with the patty pan (I think). Defrosting it in the fridge should help if that happens OR cook it from frozen and don't cover it the whole time. Hope this helps.


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Lineman changes decision on UF
Published: Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 9:49 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 9:49 p.m.
After wavering on his verbal commitment to Florida all summer, offensive tackle Roderick Johnson is officially out of its 2013 class.
On Sunday night, Johnson confirmed to The Sun via text message that he spoke with UF coach Will Muschamp earlier in the evening and decided it was best to part ways.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder from Delray Beach American Heritage committed to Florida on March 25 but had been a soft verbal since late June because of his academic concerns and interest in other schools. When wide receivers coach Aubrey Hill, his primary recruiter, resigned from UF on Aug. 3, Johnson re-opened his recruitment and it was only a matter of time before his pledge fell through. Auburn, Florida State, South Carolina and West Virginia are the new leaders for Johnson, although he said the Gators will still be considered.
Florida now has 20 members in its 2013 class, which is ranked No. 2 in the nation by ESPN. Verbal commitments are not binding until prospects sign their national letters of intent on Feb. 6.
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82-14490 - 3.5" LCD CCTV Test Monitor
This ultra-portable device is perfect for all your CCTV installation jobs. The large LCD screen makes it simple to adjust your cameras and it includes a wrist strap for added mobility. Also, you can now power your camera using the CCTV Test Monitor with the incl...
82-16451 - 19" Eco-Friendly Flat Panel LED Monitor up to 1280x1024 Resolution
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Very very good website! Reliable and delivered exactly on the day they gave me. Easily recommended!


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A total of 739 out of 1,247 examinees passed the mechanical engineering board exam conducted this month, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said on Wednesday.Read More Board exam exam results Mechanical engineering News PRC
1 ABALO, MELVIE ROSE DEGUMA 2 ABANDO, GENELYN PANGANIBAN 3 ABANGCO, KEVIN BAUTISTA 4 ABANTE, JOHN MARK ATIENZA 5 ABARQUEZ, MARK IAN TABUCLIN 6 ABREGUNDA, KHRISTELE MARIE AGDON 7 ACACIO, CHRISTOPHER GERONIMO 8 ACAPUYAN, ROMARICO BISARRA 9 ACENAS, MICHAEL JR GERONA 10 ACLAO, JOESHER ANDRINO 11 ACMAD, ABDULLAH ANDI 12 ACORDA, ANDREA NICOLE VELASCO 13 […]Read More Exam exam results
Roll of Successful Examinees in the ARCHITECT LICENSURE EXAMINATION Held on JANUARY 23 & 25, 2015 Page: 2 of 19 Released on JANUARY 29, 2015 Seq. No. N a m e 1 ABABON, JOSEPH ROY VISDA 2 ABDUL, MEGGIE ANNE GARCIA 3 ABEJO, VENANCIO JR LUIS 4 ABELARDO, JEFFREY CA-ANG 5 ABELLA, JAYNE TUMBAGA 6 […]Read More Architecture exams Exam exam results Exams
A total of 4,021 out of 8,127 examinees passed the Civil Engineer Licensure Examination, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Thursday night.Read More Exam exam result exam results
A total of 682 out of 1,249 passed the Marine Engineer Officers board examination, the Professional Regulation Commission announced.Read More Board exam Marine Engineer Officers PRC Professional Regulation Commission


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Change banking or taxation information
If you have access to Minerva, you can update your address information on-line (go to Employee Menu Tab and select "Direct Deposit Bank Account")
If you've never accessed MINERVA before, you will need to call the ICS help desk at 3398 and they will help set you up.
In order to activate you, they will probably ask for your date of birth and a part of your social insurance number, so you will probably want to have that information handy when you call.
Alternatively, you must send in a written (signed) request using the Direct deposit form.Please include your Banner ID Number, attach a void cheque and sign. Human Resources is locate at 688 Sherbrooke suite 1520


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Listen to free music played by andrewspong
Blip.fm is internet radio made social. It's easy to search for, play, and discover free music recommended by real people. Join today to create your own free station and start listening to @andrewspong.
andrewspong ...but your phasing kicks ass.
PennyDreadfulsNightmareJuice gave 3 props on Nov 27 at 9:55 am
Elitropia gave props on Nov 25 at 2:19 am
What other DJs are saying about Caleb-Baby Your Phrasing Is Bad
pulsar But your phasing is great
pulsar You're blipping some of my all-time faves tonight! RB @Elitropia: "baby your phrasing is bad ~Caleb @pulsar sc" (reblip)
Jun 10, 2012 at 2:49 am via YouTube • reply to
pulsar An absolute all-time classic! RB @Elitropia: "baby you phrasing is bad ~Caleb @pulsar sc" (reblip)
Jan 20, 2012 at 3:37 am via YouTube • reply to
SuzySecret always super kind pulsar :) ty RB@pulsar: "@ SuzySecret Unlike this song title, you're phrasing is fine. :)" (reblip)


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MLS In Minneapolis Hinges On Stadium Plan Goodell Speech Addresses Only "Micro-Issues" NFL Nearing End Of Hardy Investigation Report: Belichick Upset After Cameras Shot Down NHL Denied Motion To Dismiss Concussion Case League Notes NFL Owners OK New Player Safety Rule NFLPA To Look At Gilbert's Collusion Claim Beckham's MLS Miami Bid Appears Back On Lesnar Decides Against Possible UFC Return
Upcoming Conferences and Events
SBD/9/Leagues Governing Bodies
Published November 9, 1994
Former Blue Jays' GM Pat Gillick sees major league clubs trying to save money by cutting minor league affiliates. If a new baseball agreement enables players to become free agents in four years, rather than six, there could be less incentive for clubs to develop their own players, leading to more independent clubs selling players to major league teams. Although the independent Northern League has prospered, Gillick says cutting down on the minors would be "foolish" for baseball. He believes that if minor leaguers were paid and treated better it would create a stronger bond between the team and their players, and would encourage more young people to play baseball. Gillick likes the way the game is presented in the lower leagues. Gillick: "I think there is a little bit of entrepreneurship out there and a little bit of showmanship. I think we need a lot more imagination at the major league level. I think you have to offer people a little more for their buck." Among his ideas, having pitchers warm up closer to the stands so fans get a feel of how hard they throw. Gillick: "We're in the entertainment business. I'm not saying we need to be pro wrestling, but we have to put on a little bit of a show" (Larry Millson, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 11/9).


text:
Primary links
The disputed Othaya TNA nomination is headed to court after businesswoman Mary Wambui said she was denied the party's ticket despite claiming victory.
Ms Wambui said the TNA certificate was issued to her rival in the primaries, Gichuki Mugambi, after he lodged a complaint with the party's dispute resolution team.
At a news conference at her Lavington home in Nairobi, Ms Wambui blamed powerful forces in government for alleged interference saying the certificate was taken away from her unfairly.
Ms Wambui said she was given an interim certificate on being declared the winner on January 19 and asked to go for the original certificate in Nairobi.
"The people of Othaya spoke, and they chose me and their will should be respected. I even greeted my opponent and we agreed to work together. Unfortunately, I later learnt that he had been given the certificate," she said flanked by her daughter Winnie Wangui.
"There are powerful forces who do not want me to become MP for Othaya and the people have decided."
Ms Wangui said Jimmy Kibaki was among the powerful forces her mother was alluding to.
"Jimmy Kibaki does not work for government so there are other forces working with him to make sure Mama does not get the certificate even though she won,'' she said.
The two appealed to TNA leader and Jubilee presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene saying he has always said that everybody would be given a chance to participate in a free and fair nomination.
Ms Wambui said she would seek the court's intervention but she did not indicate when she intended to make the move.
Mr Mugambi told the Nation he was handed the ticket after successfully lodging a dispute citing massive irregularities during the nominations which saw Ms Wambui declared winner with 13,000 votes against Mr Gichuki's 10,000.
"I received the certificate yesterday (Monday) after my complaints which I had lodged were investigated and addressed,'' Mr Mugambi said.
However, Ms Wambui said she was not called before the dispute board for a hearing.
There has been bitter rivalry between Mr Gichuki, the chair of Othaya Development Association and Ms Wambui since December when President Kibaki's son Jimmy, announced publicly that the latter was his father's preferred candidate. - Daily Nation
My name is Anthony Kinyanjui or Ras Anto as my peers know me and am a recovering Alcoholic.
I've been sober for almost 4yrs now,through nothing but by the grace of the most High God .
My addiction and dependency on Alcohol increased...
He once lived a fairy tale life, by his definition. He had most of what he wanted in life and it looked like nothing would stand in his way. Well, something did and from a life of opulence in the US, he lives from hand to mouth in London Estate, a...
Kenyan women in the Diaspora have a problem with Kenyan men.
Romantic relationships between Kenyans in the US, for instance, are beset with untold challenges.
The Nairobian spoke to a number of women of different ages and careers who...
A Kenyan scientist based in the USA has been recognized as one of the people across the globe who have helped shape black history by Malvern Daily Record, an Arkansas-based newspaper.
In celebration of Black History Month in February, the n...
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Playstation 2
Steer in mid-air: for Smuggler's RunHome / Playstation 2 /
This page contains Smuggler's Run Hints for Playstation 2 called "Steer in mid-air:" and has been posted or updated on Aug 6, 2009 by g4YthYXx. Let us know what you think of this Hint by thumbs voting.
Boxshot / Details
- Developer: Angel Studios
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Genre: Driving
- Release Date: Oct 25, 2000
- ESRB: Teen
- Other Platforms
Steer in mid-air:
You can use the emergency brake in mid air to steer the car in any direction. You can also rock it back and fourth, or even spin on end:
All Hints
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Stuck on this game? Set a specific, clearly defined question and let others answer your question or view answers to previously asked questions. If you think you are an Smuggler's Run expert then please try to help others with their questions.
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Dame Grease - Sour Diesel ft. N.O.R.E. & Styles P.
Artist: Dame Grease
Producer: Dame Grease
Album: Sour Diesel
Avg Rating: 4.0 ( 2 votes )
Multi-platinum producer Dame Grease (produced Takin' Pictures and Big Spender, but best known for We'll Always Love Big Poppa) returns with the weed-smoking anthem Sour Diesel, from his upcoming album of the same name. The "sour diesel" in question is a very potent strain of cannabis, invented in NYC. And who better than two of NYC's biggest herb aficionados, N.O.R.E. and Styles P, to help Dame sing the praises of that diesel. N.O. talks about his newfound love for the sour, while Styles spits his best verse on the topic since I Get High. Whether you smoke or not, this should be an enjoyable track nonetheless. Be sure to look out for more odes to life's pleasures once the Sour Diesel album drops.
Written by Burmy on 07/12/07
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bundle of questions for replacing HVAC?
We live in North Carolina. Just got an energy audit done and were recommended to replace our both HVAC's. We are thinking of replacing one unit only as of now- the on 1st floor. It is outside and is an airconditioner with gas furnace. Current Size is 3 tons, 10 seer and 80% AFUE. The house has good insulation and ducting and no hot-cold spots. Our annual energy bills are summer - $563 and winter- $ 658 and baseload is $835. We have flat cost of natural gas and electricity as: July-Oct $0.998/therm and 10.15 cents/kwh, November -June : $0.936/therm 9.15 cents /KWH.
My initial questions are:
1. Is a dual heat pump a good idea in our climate in NC?
2. Is 15.5 seer enough- that has been recommended.
3. What % efficiency for gas furnace- 95% ?
4. Is Carrier infinity brand good enough? I know pricing is importnat too but was just wondering if i can resolve these initial questions it will make us easier to go ahead. We have almost no idea about all this as this is our first home bought just last year.
5. Do we need a 2 stage or a 3 stage heat pump? A 3-stage has been recommnded ?
6. What are the most crucial factors that we need to be sure of when making the final decision?
thanks for any insights!
These are good questions. Here are some answers:
1. The mild NC winters and low electricity rates are ideal for a heat pump.
2. A SEER of 15-16 is fine for your climate and electricity rates.
3. In cold climates a 95% efficienty furnace is recommended. I don't know if you need such a high efficiency especially if you are getting a dual fuel system. It may be overkill.
4. Infinity is the top of the Carrier line. It tends to be pricey, but it in some situations it is worth the extra money in my opinion.
5. Heat pumps come in one or two stages. The Infinity furnace comes in three stages. A two stage AC/heat pump is great if you have high humidity in the summer.
6. The most crucial factor is properly sized equipment installed by a competent contractor. You can buy the best equipment but it may never operate correctly if it was not installed properly or the wrong size.
Why did you get a recommentation to replace your systems? How old are they and are there any problems?
A highest efficiency single stage heatpump around 15 seer will save you significant money on energy in the summer. It will also be very competitive to natural gas in the winter. It may even be cheaper than your 80% gas furance in most instances.
Having a 95% furance might be overkill in your climate especially with a heatpump but it the cost isn't much more than the 80% I would consider.
IMHO, a variable speed blower (furnace) is more important than a 2-stage compressor (HP or AC) for humidity control.
As a rule of thumb, going from 10 SEER to 15 SEER might save you nearly 20% on your electric. That would be around $100/yr for your summer usage.
With gas it will depend on installation costs of the 95% over the current 80% you have. Otherwise you could figure a 15% reduction in the gas bill upgrading to the 95% furnace. The increased costs might eat up a lot of the savings.
Things get a little murkier when you go hybrid.
I generally agree with above post.
Nat gas rates have remained constant and in some markets have actually declined. Did you know that Piedmont Nat Gas? While electric rates have continued to march upward.
In fact, based on OP's rates, there is really no leverage in a dual fuel system.
Want to comment on installation of high eff condensing furnaces. If furnace is located in a very accessible place and has access to a close exterior wall for venting waste gas and fresh air for combustion, then this cost should be relatively inconsequential and not really a big deal at all.


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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bo Ryan is trippin' about being back in the NCAA West Regional.
Posts Tagged California
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Long before any of that major league money starts landing in their bank accounts, most players are in a similar predicament as everyone else in the regular workforce.
CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) — Top-ranked Lydia Ko doesn't want to get too far ahead of herself at the Kia Classic — a week before the first major championship of the LPGA Tour season.
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Two-time NBA coach Eric Musselman has been named the new head coach at Nevada, the school's athletic director said Wednesday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Having a big game offensively is nothing new for Sacramento Kings star center DeMarcus Cousins.


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Why get bogged down in the quicksand of the Oracle Call Interface (OCI) when you can get the same service with less code and fewer headaches with Vincent Rogier's OCILIB?
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Dr. Neha Patel, MD
Internal Medicine
- 680 Centre St
Brockton, MA 02302
- 1 Location
- (508) 941-7000
Dr. Neha Patel graduated from the Netaji S Chandra Bose M C, Rani D Vishwavidyalaya Univ, Jabalpur, Mp, India in 2005. She works in Brockton, MA and specializes in Internal Medicine. Dr. Patel is affiliated with Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital.
Gender: Female
Languages Spoken: English
Internal Medicine
Medical School: Netaji S Chandra Bose M C, Rani D Vishwavidyalaya Univ, Jabalpur, Mp, India; Graduated 2005
680 Centre St
Brockton, MA 02302
(508) 941-7000
Fax: (508) 941-6299
Practice Website: signature-healthcare.org
Accepting New Patients: Yes
Medicare Accepted: Yes
Medicaid Accepted: Yes
Not Available


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We're a talented bunch
How's Destructoid wrapping up E3? Frantically cranking out previews from the press room? Hustling around the show floor to see as much as possible? We probably should be. Instead, we're drawing pictures of Kirby.
Really really good pictures of Kirby.
Chris Carter:
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Don't make this weird for us. Please, Destructoid readers, post your own MS Paint Kirby in the comments.
Comments not appearing? Anti-virus apps like Avast or some browser extensions can cause this.
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[*].disqus.com to your software's white list. Tada! Happy comments time again.
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Prepare to scroll: This Dark Souls illustration captures the complexity of Lordran
1:30 PM on 03.20.2015
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Aimed at reaching 10-crore broadband subscribers by 2014, mainly in rural areas, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Wednesday joined hands with HCL Infosystems to launch the 'National Broadband Penetration Programme' (NBPP), a nationwide initiative to accelerate proliferation of information technology.
The ambitious NBPP project aims to accelerate personal computers and broadband penetration by offering a complete solution and creating new markets, targeting rural and remote areas. The project would utilise the Department of Telecom's 'universal services obligation fund' (USOF) which has granted a subsidy to BSNL for providing wireline broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas. USOF will be providing a subsidy of Rs. 4,500 per broadband connection that BSNL will be issuing through its existing 27,789 rural and remote telephone exchanges.
Addressing a press conference here, BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goyal said: "This initiative will help end the digital divide in the country. Under the programme, BSNL and HCL will provide complete PC solution to its customers at a nominal payment of Rs. 2,250, followed by Rs. 300 a month for the PC and subsidised monthly broadband package at Rs. 99 or Rs. 150".
According to HCL Infosystems Chairman and CEO Ajai Chowdhry, "Their innovative service and support initiative, HCL Touch, will provide strength to the NBPP programme. HCL Touch has a network that reaches out to over 4,000 towns and delivers services in 11 regional languages. We will also set up two call centres with toll free numbers, one for enquiry and the other for technical support, to help our customers".
Speaking on the occasion, USOF Administrator Ajay Bhattacharya lauded the initiative and urged other players to come up with more such partnerships so that benefits of broadband could reach every citizen. He hoped that it would not only support inclusive growth but also contribute to economic growth and development.