TALON AND THE ENVIRONMENT

1.   TALON'S CAPABILITY ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The development of man and its environment often brings about interactions with the elements of the environment. Talon's capability in the sustainable development of resources is based on its in-house availability of multidisciplinary experts in the following areas:

*    Experts in Project Identification/Evaluation, Implementation and Feedback

*    Environmental Assessment Specialists covering Auditing, Impact and strategic aspects

*    Geographical Information Systems experts including Remote Sensing

*    Biodiversity experts

*    Natural Resource and Conservation experts including Land and Soil rehabilitation

*    Eco-decision specialists

*    Farming systems experts

*    Hydrologists and Erosion Management experts

*    Aquatic Resource Management Systems specialists

*    Sociologists

*    Biochemists (analyses, monitoring and abatement)

*    Financial experts

*    Economists

Talon is also equipped with physical resources for advanced computer modeling of environmental related projects. In the development of projects, Talon considers very carefully the impact of project development on the environment. Specifically, the broad areas of Talon's capability on projects as they relate to the environment are as follows:

2.   FOOD SECURITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Overcoming hunger is a fundamental challenge confronting the global community at the threshold of the 21st century. The existence of widespread hunger in developing countries in spite of its extensive food production potential is inconsistent with a stable and just global situation. The resulting food insecurity and abject poverty and possible environmental degradation are a focus of Talon's activity on the environment.

Talon recognizes that food is a security issue for any government and has been involved in policy analysis and development of strategies for the Nigerian government on food security. Most of the policy issues and strategies are based on a systematic consideration for minimal environmental pollution and sustainable development. Concepts in sustainable agriculture are also being developed and tested on Talon's Research and Development Farms, Balogun, Igbogila, Ogun State, Nigeria.
FOOD PROCESSING, STORAGE AND MARKETING

Talon has been involved in food processing, storage and marketing for almost thirty years and owns two patent rights in food dehydration and has been involved in designing and construction of food and feed plants including grain silos up to 25000 tonnes. Talon is continuously involved in food information management and market research, product improvement and development.

technology transfer on food extrusion on talon farms

IRRIGATION,LAND USE AND LAND MANAGEMENT

Talon is fully aware of the negative impacts of large-scale irrigation systems on the environment especially in developing countries, and has therefore developed and introduced the mini-hectare pack sprinkler and sub-soil irrigation systems into a number of new projects as a means of minimizing the impact of large-scale irrigation. These systems are environment friendly and are acceptable to Nigerian farmers. Talon has also produced television films on soil conservation, land use and water management in crops for the education of both Nigerian farmers, private sector and governments on all relevant aspects of environmental consideration in the sustainable management of land and water for crop production.

5.   INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENT

Talon is also interested in the effects of industrial production processes on the environment and has been involved in the development of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Policy documents and studies and regularly evaluates EIA reports prepared by other environmental consultants on behalf of Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA).


Talon: environmental consultant to NEPA hydro station
6.   SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Sustainable agricultural development involves effective production practices that minimize adverse impacts on the environment. Talon has developed Integrated Agricultural projects for its clients with the following features:

*    Water pollution reduction
    
*    Low level of pollution of the atmosphere
    
*    Reduction of fossil fuel usage
    
     *    Increased bio-diversity conservation

     *    Reduced pesticide use

     *    By-product recycling and utilization

     *    Reduction of soil degradation

Talon has also produced 85 video films on Nigeria's agriculture with environmental considerations as one main issue in all cases.

7.   BIO-DIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT

Bio-diversity conservation is one of the major factors considered by Talon in the design of natural resource exploitation projects. Talon is working on the development of a bio-pesticide based on Neem Seed Oil extract for insect control in crop production. In conjunction with FISESCO, Talon developed computerized databases on Nigeria's inland fisheries resources and was involved in engineering design for the control of water hyacinth in Kainji dam
(1) igbokoda-aiyetoro estuary under pollution baseline study, 1986
(2) Erosion at shagunu, niger state,nigeria

8.   STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

Talon is aware of the importance of the development of sound strategies and plans in sustainable agriculture and has been involved in national and international policies in agricultural research and development for sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, Talon is fully involved in the development and implementation of the Agricultural Research Strategy for Nigeria (NARP) the Canadian IDRC Research Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, the development of State Environmental Action plan for Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Abuja under the World Bank Environmental Management Project.

9. CAPACITY BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT

Human resources development as it relates to environmental sanity is very vital to sustainable development and Talon is involved in capacity building through training of the fisheries industry on the prevention of obnoxious fishing practices, post harvest loss mitigation, aquaculture, fish quality control and hazard analysis control.

capacity building in progress:kainji lake,Nigeria.

Vegetable production is very critical to African food security; of which talon is a major player.