The following activities were undertaken during the year.

Procurement of improved planting material varieties of industrial crops from research institutes

Hosting of Stakeholders Consultative Meetings on Outgrowers Scheme and Backward Integration Strategy for meeting the raw materials requirements for existing and emerging industries in Nigeria.

Stakeholders Consultative Forum on the Development of Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture in Kebbi State.

National Seminar/Training Workshop for Arable Oil Seed Farmers and Processors

Establishment of Model Apiaries and Honey Production Centres in the Six Geo-political Zones of Nigeria

Details of the activities are presented hereafter:

PROCUREMENT OF IMPROVED PLANTING MATERIALS FROM RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

CROP	COLLABORATING INSTITUTION	QUANTITY PROCURED	BENEFICIARIES
Soyabean Benniseed (sesame) Castor seeds Cotton seeds Cassava cuttings Gum Arabic seedlings	National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State National Cereal Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State Institute of Agricultural Research, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto and Multi-Green Limited	5 tonnes (TG 1448 variety) 5 tonnes 3 tonnes 2.2 tonnes 10,000 bundles of (NR 8082, TMX 30572 varieties) 25,000 seedlings of (Acacia Senegal, seyal and combretum)	Federal Capital Territory through MFCT, Administrative Development Project (ADP) and National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Sasakawa Global 2000 and Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria Bakolori Irrigation Farmers and Zamfara Agricultural Comprehensive Revolution Programme. Bakolori Irrigation Farmers and Zamfara Agricultural Comprehensive Revolution Programme. Oyo State Government Farm Settlement in three locations, and Abia State Hassan and Yaro Farms, Sokoto

SOYABEAN

The Council acquired 16 hectares of arable land for soyabean cultivation in Abaji, FCT towards a proposed processing plant to be sited also in Abaji. This project, which is a private sector initiative is being facilitated through this effort.

BENNISEED (SESAME)

The Council in collaboration with Dipton Investment and Trade Limited organized a one day stakeholders forum on Sesame seed project on 17^th December, 2004.

The following recommendations were made:

To enhance the production and supply base of sesame seeds, there is the need for relevant agencies such as, NCRI, NSPRI and RMRDC to intensify their R&D efforts in crop boosting programmes.

R&D activities into appropriate processing technology and equipment fabrication on sesame seeds should be intensified by relevant agencies.

In order to forestall post-harvest losses, appropriate government agencies should improve information dissemination on available storage technologies for the post-harvest management of sesame seeds.