Nigerian Engineers Seeks More Government Investment In Mechanised Farming, Infrastructure 

By Aanya Igomu 

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The need for the Nigerian government to invest more in developing mechanised farming, infrastructure, and energy has been raised by the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE.
The president of the NSE, Mrs Margaret Oguntala stated this at a pre-conference media briefing for the National Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting scheduled to hold on November 19, 2024.
In relation to the theme of the conference, “Pioneering Engineering Solutions to Nigeria’s Climate and Food Security Challenges”, she said the government needs to invest in developing local farming equipment rather than depending on Importation of equipment.
Mrs Oguntala explained that the conference will focus on providing sustainable engineering solutions to food security and climate change.
Among our sub-themes, we will explore advancements in agricultural machinery, such as automated tractors and precision Seeders, to boost productivity. We will discuss efficient irrigation systems powered by sensor-based technologies, along with renewable energy solutions like mini-grid solar installations that foster energy independence for rural farming.
“Furthermore, we are excited to introduce discussions on postharvest innovations, including solar-powered storage and mobile cold-chain solutions to minimise food loss across our agricultural value chain. Attendees can expect sessions on precision agriculture, where tools like remote sensing and soil health mapping enable farmers to maximise yields and optimise resource use.
“In addition, we will explore climate change adaptation strategies, such as climate-resilient crop varieties and digital tools for early weather alerts, which are crucial for protecting our food systems in an unpredictable environment” she said.
Speaking on national challenges such as collapsing infrastructure and the incessant grid collapse in Nigeria, she said Nigerian engineers have the knowledge, experience and capacity to address these challenges however, the Nigerian government has to be intentional in investing in building new infrastructure and maintaining already existing ones.
She noted that energy demand is higher than supply therefore the government needs to invest in renewable energy adding that an appointing an engineer as the Minister of Power could help solve the country’s power challenges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oyenike Oyeniyi 

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