Nigeria Partners Czech Republic on Agricultural Development, Technology
To revolutionize farming and food processing through adoption of modern technology, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has said it will partner the Republic of Czech to develop Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this during a ceremony of the Agricultural Machinery and Development Institute (AMEDI) in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Haruna explained that the establishment of AMEDI in the state was part of the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari to revolutionize agriculture in the country, adding that his agency had succeeded in the development of some relevant equipment and machines in the food value chain – from cultivation to planting, weeding, harvesting, post-harvesting and food preservation.
His words: “This institute is mandated to build on this success and serve as a pilot site for the implementation of the agreement between Nigeria and Czech Republic on agriculture, as approved by President Buhari for the Presidential Implementation Committee. Working with the Technology Agency of Czech Republic, NASENI and AMEDI Lafia will research, develop the equipment and train ordinary Nigerians and professionals in agriculture, food production, harvest and post-harvest, processing technologies, food preservation and packaging. It will also process agricultural waste into renewable energy among others.”
On his part, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, lauded the Federal Government for establishing AMEDI in Lafia, saying the project was aimed at creating wealth and alleviating poverty in the country.
He said, “This project is geared towards transforming the agricultural sector into an industrial hub, through value addition for job creation, youth empowerment, and skills acquisition. It is pertinent to state that the intervention of the Federal Government in the conception and siting of this project is predicated on the belief that 80 per cent of the world economy is advanced manufacturing technology-driven. I am happy to inform you that NASENI has also set up the North Central Skill Development Centre in Keffi Local Government Area of the state. These endeavors would be critical in the transformation of our dear state into a business hub and will no doubt deepen the availability of skilled manpower to match the influx of companies and organizations that have indicated interest to do business in the state,” the governor noted.
Agro Nigeria
