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Ningxia-grown vegetables find big market in Greater Bay Area

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By Qin Ruijie, People’s Daily

In a vegetable planting base in Xianjin village, Ligang township, Helan county, Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region, which mainly supplies its produce to the Guangdong-HongKong-MacaoGreaterBayArea (GBA), Chinese flowering cabbages were just harvested, and they would soon be shipped to Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong province around 2,300 kilometers away.

“It takes only 36 hours for our Chinese flowering cabbages to reach the markets in the GBA from our fields. The demand is so high that we can hardly satisfy it,” said Chen Dingyou, head of the planting base. Chen works for an agricultural technology company in Ningxia that owns vegetable distribution centers in three cities in the GBA.

Chinese flowering cabbage is a vegetable commonly used in Cantonese cuisine. In Helan county alone, there are 15 planting bases that grow it, covering a total area of 24,500 mu, or about 1,633 hectares.

The Chinese flowering cabbages harvested in Ningxia are shipped to the GBA through cold-chain logistics, and they enjoy high reputation in the region.

The unique climate is what makes Ningxia a perfect place for growing Chinese flowering cabbage. Take Helan county as an example. The county, with an average altitude of over 1,000 meters, has dry summers and enjoys rich sunshine. Besides, with the Yellow River as the source of irrigation, nutrient accumulation becomes easy for the vegetable.

Though Ningxia boasts sound natural conditions, science-based planting is still necessary. Standard planting techniques of GBA enterprises are now adopted in Ningxia.

Chen picked up his phone and showed how the vegetable is planted. In the vegetable field, neatly arranged ridges spaced 20 centimeters apart stretched across the land. The Chinese flowering cabbages glistened with water droplets as workers skillfully and swiftly cut the tender greens with precision.

Today, the vegetable base of Chen’s company utilizes automated irrigation systems and drone-based crop protection operations, which have significantly reduced labor management costs.

With a simple tap on a mobile app, the 2,000-mu planting base was divided into dozens of plots, where details like seeding and weeding progress were displayed.

“We’ve developed a digital field management and monitoring platform that allows us to manage the entire planting process – seeding, fertilizing, and watering – all from a smartphone,” said Wu Xiaoning, the materials scheduling manager of the company.

“Currently, processes like rotary tilling, seeding, and film mulching are all mechanized. The base can cultivate five full crop cycles each year, with each cycle yielding 400 to 600 kilograms. The average output value per mu for the entire planting cycle reaches 10,000 yuan ($2,548).” Wu added.

“The Chinese flowering cabbage grown using modern farming techniques has a crisp and tender texture,” said Chen. “As soon as the product hits the market, it becomes a hot seller in the GBA.”

Delivering delicious Chinese flowering cabbage to the GBA, more than 2,000 kilometers away from Ningxia, wouldn’t be possible without a modern logistics system.

“The cold storage is maintained at 1.5 degrees Celsius. Once the freshly harvested Chinese flowering cabbage is brought in, it is rapidly cooled down,” said Li Houxue, head of Xianfeng Agriculture Company based in Ningxia, referring to a cold storage facility of the company.

After being pre-cooled for six hours, the Chinese flowering cabbage harvested is packed and sorted by 2 am the next day. By 8 am, refrigerated trucks set off directly for Guangzhou, where the produce is distributed to secondary centers in cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan. Some batches, after passing quality checks, are loaded onto trucks bound for Hong Kong, ready to hit the local market.

“With professional cold chain logistics, the transportation cost for a 15-kilogram box of Chinese flowering cabbage has been reduced to just 15 yuan,” Li said..

Today, nearly 80 refrigerated trucks depart from Ningxia every day, delivering Chinese flowering cabbage to regions like the Yangtze River Delta and the GBA. To address storage challenges at the source, Helan county has ramped up cold chain infrastructure development. Currently, 56 enterprises have established cold storage facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 89,900 tons and a net volume of 449,500 cubic meters. These advancements have greatly improved the storage, preservation, and processing capabilities for agricultural products at their origin.

To meet market demand, many vegetable bases in Ningxia that supply products to Hong Kong have established strict cultivation and quality control standards. They have developed a comprehensive industrial chain from planting, management, and harvesting to packaging, cold chain transportation, and sales.

“In 2023, Helan county’s vegetable planting area reached 243,800 mu, with an annual output of 474,600 tons and a production value of 1.4 billion yuan. This has effectively boosted employment and income for local farmers,” said Chen Ying, director of the bureau of agriculture and rural affairs in Helan county.

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2027: VP Shettima Urges Politicians To Play Politics without Bitterness

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  • As Gov AbdulRazaq Is Turbaned As Sadauna Of Ilorin Emirate

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Vice President Kashim Shettima has stressed the need for politicians to embrace one another, play politics without bitterness and according to the rules in order to ensure an astronomical growth and development for the country.

Shettima made the appeal on Wednesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, while admonishing
Nigerians to serve with humility, do good to one another and have forgiving spirit, as they, according to him, would spend more time after office.

He added: “Power is given by God to the people He so wishes and not because we are better than others. I, therefore, call on all politicians to unite themselves as one family despite their political differences.

“Take a cue from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I serve as his assistant. He is a good and decent man who has the love and interest of Nigerians at heart.”

Shettima explained that when they assumed office in 2023, the economy of the country was at the brink of collapse, but President Tinubu refused to pass blame; with courage he accepted both the assets and liabilities and moved on.

He further disclosed that during the 2023 electioneering campaign, only six out of the 19 northern governors supported Tinubu’s presidential aspiration, based on the erroneous belief that Baba (Buhari) didn’t like him, adding: “But today the President has embraced everybody as his own and things are going on well”.

He added: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a good man by all standard; he believes in the people that work with him.”

Shettima also thanked the Emir of Ilorin for the honour done to Governor AbdulRazaq, which , he noted, was based on his contributions to the development of the Ilorin Emirate and the State at large, adding that “the father of the Governor had planted a solid footprint in the Ilorin Emirate and by extension Nigeria as a whole”.

Shettima, who expressed optimism that this new chapter would create a stronger bond between the Emirate and the family of Governor AbdulRazaq, urged the people to continue to pray for the progress and development of the Emirate and the State as a whole.

He commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his efforts in the massive improvement on infrastructure to assist the people of the State, as well as for his
contributions to the actualisation of policies and programmes of government at the federal level towards providing succour to average Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Matawaliof Ilorin Emirate, Dr.Alimi AbdulRazaq, said the title of Sardauna bestowed on the Governor was well deserved, thanking the Emir of Ilorin for finding the Governor worthy of the noble recognition by the Emirate.

Dr,Alimi urged the Governor to see the tittle as a clarion call to provide more dividends of democracy to the nooks and crannies of the State.

The turbaning ceremony witnessed large turnout of dignitaries, including the Governor of Niger state, Umar Bago, Governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Imo State ,Hope Uzodinma, and Governors of Kebbi ,Katsina States.

Others are the Emir of Zazzau Emirate, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, the Deputy Governors of Sokoto, Anambra, Nasarawa, Delta, Ondo, and Oyo States.

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Gov AbdulRazaq Lauded Over Conferment Of Sadauna Of Ilorin Title

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been hailed for the conferment of the prestigious Sadauna of Ilorin Emirate title on him by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR.

Giving the commendation on Tuesday in a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, Alhaji Yakubu Garba Gobir, who is the Sarkin Gobir and Madawaki of the Ilorin Emirate, described the recognition and honour on Governor AbdulRazaq as well deserved, timely and apt, giving his huge contributions to the growth and development of Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State as a whole.

Gobir specifically commended the Emir of Ilorin for conferring this distinguished title in recognition of the qualities and contributions of the new Sardauna, noting that it is a solemn call for greater responsibility, leadership, loyalty and devoted service to the Emirate and its people.

He added: “The title of Sardauna occupies a position of profound significance in the history, heritage and traditions of the Ilorin Emirate. I commend His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, the Emir of Ilorin, for conferring this distinguished title in recognition of the qualities and contributions of the new Sardauna.

“The title embodies courage, leadership, loyalty and devoted service to the Emirate and its people. Your elevation is therefore not merely a mark of honour; it is also a solemn call to greater responsibility and continued service.

“As a fellow title-holder in the Ilorin Emirate, I am particularly delighted to welcome you into this distinguished circle of traditional leadership. I am confident that you will bring to the office the same qualities of leadership, dignity and unwavering commitment to public service that have distinguished your tenure and career.

“At a time when our Emirate and our State require men and women of character, wisdom and courage to advance the interests of our people, I am certain that you will make a meaningful contribution to the enduring unity, progress and development of the Ilorin Emirate.”

Gobir offered prayers for a successful, impactful and enduring tenure for the new Sadauna, adding:
“May Almighty Allah grant you wisdom, sound health and strength, and may He make your tenure as Sardauna of Ilorin a source of lasting honour to you, your family and the entire Ilorin Emirate.”

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FG Commissions KWASU ICT Centre To Enhance Graduates Employability

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin.

The wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned a TETFund/Renewed Hope Initiative-backed ICT Experience Centre at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.

It would be recalled that KWASU is one of the six tertiary institutions selected for the pilot phase of this intervention, with one institution representing each of the Nigerian six geopolitical zones.

Represented at the commissioning on Tuesday by the wife of the Vice-President, Nana Shettima, Tinubu said the project is a testament to the federal government’s commitment to advancing education, digital inclusion and enhancing graduate employability.

“The TETFund/Renewed Hope Initiative ICT Experience Centre we are commissioning today represents opportunity, innovation, knowledge, and the future of young people in Kwara State and beyond.

She said: “This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which places emphasis on youth empowerment, education, innovation, and economic transformation. Mr President is committed to creating opportunities that will equip Nigerian youths with knowledge and skills required to thrive in a modern and competitive world.”

Senator Tinubu said the facility was designed as a modern technology centre equipped with ICT laboratory, interactive digital display, conference facility, and exhibition spaces, adding that it would be an environment for learning, creativity, research, and technology advancement.

According to her, the ICT centres had been commissioned at the Ekiti State University on May 28, University of Cross Rivers State on September 4, Anambra State Polytechnic on September 10, adding that the Centres at Kaduna State University and Taraba State Universities would be commissioned soon.

“The next phase of this intervention will cover 15 institutions in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Yobe, and Zamfara states which construction is currently ongoing. This expansion demonstrates the administration’s commitment to ensuring that more Nigerian youths, irrespective of their locations, have access to digital learning opportunities,” she said.

She encouraged the students to take ownership of the facility, maximise the opportunity it provides, and use technology positively to enhance their lives, community, and the nation.

In his speech, the Executive Secretary of Tetfund, Architect Sonny Echono, said the centres are being established across selected Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with the Kwara State University, Malete proudly hosting the facility in the North-Central Zone.

“Through practical training and digital skills acquisition, TETFund seeks to enhance graduate employability, foster innovation and position Nigeria to participate more effectively in the global
technology-driven economy,” he added.

Echono also said that the ICT Experience Centre is designed to equip students and lecturers with critical digital skills in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics and Software Development.

He added: “The Centre being commissioned today is one of the foremost ICT Experience Centres being delivered across the country, and the third to be commissioned this year. The Centre is equipped with modern digital devices, Computer systems and relevant software to facilitate training, practical learning and skills development. The facility is appropriately furnished and
fully air-conditioned, with supporting power and municipal infrastructure.”

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Shaykh- Luqman Jimoh, said the new facility represents vision, belief, and an investment in the Nigerian youth to better shape the future of our
nation.

The Vice Chancellor described the ICT Experience Centre as an investment in human capital, in innovation, in entrepreneurship, and, most importantly, it is an investment in the future of Nigeria.

“This Centre will provide opportunities for our students to develop practical digital skills and engage with contemporary technologies. Importantly, it is our hub for interdisciplinary engagement.

“This ICT Experience Centre is therefore a timely, critical, and strategic infrastructure that will definitely enhance research, teaching, learning, entrepreneurship, and community service. This intervention is at the core of what this university seeks from partners and donors: synergies that add value and impact on today and the future,” he started.

KWASU Vice Chancellor also assured that the ICT Experience Centre would be put to maximum use for the benefit of students, researchers, and the University
community, adding that the “KWASU community would engage with the facilities in this Centre, we will use it. We will explore, experiment, learn, and innovate in i

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