NASENI To Modernise Agribusiness To Enhance Food Production

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna yesterday said the agency will modernise agribusiness to end hunger and create jobs in the country.

He also said the agency was set for the production of made in Nigeria agricultural implements, machinery and equipment.

He said the tools will be manufactured to suit the peculiarity of Nigerian soil  and peculiar topography.

Haruna made the submissions at the commissioning of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI), Lafia, Nasarawa State.

AMEDI is one of the 12 new institutes to fast-track transition of Nigeria to a manufacturing knowledge based economy.

He said AMEDI was targeted at the use of science and engineering infrastructure to support the Presidential efforts in the attainment of food and nutritional security in Nigeria and for Nigerians.

“Mr. President may recall his directive for the establishment of six (6) new Agricultural-Technology based institutes, one each per geo-political zone of Nigeria in 2021 as part of the 12 new institutes approved to be established. NASENI under my leadership has developed a culture of speedy delivery on Presidential directives not only to justify the new status of the agency but also to fast-track transition of Nigeria to a manufacturing knowledge based economy.

He said: “ AMEDI Lafia is the first to be completed among the six (6) equals across the geo-political zones of the country. The conceptualization of this model institute was targeted at the use of science and engineering infrastructure to support the Presidential efforts in the attainment of food and nutritional security in Nigeria and for Nigerians.

“The peculiarity of our soil with inherent edaphic factors and peculiar topography require the production of made in Nigeria agricultural implements, machinery and equipment that can support responsible and productive agricultural practices in the face of climate change.

“We are conversant with the Sustainable Development Goals and our national expectations to end hunger and create decent cum inclusive jobs for our youth and women. We are resolved at NASENI to use the platforms of AMEDIs to modernize agribusiness in Nigeria and ensure sustainable scaling of agro-enterprises for new jobs and wealth creation.”

Haruna listed other benefits of the institute including the production of food processing implements.