The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has called on the government to prioritise local production of agricultural tools and innovative solutions to post-harvest losses.
The NSE president, Engr Margaret Oguntala, made the call at a pre-conference and annual general meeting 2024 briefing in Abuja yesterday.
She said the 2024 conference, with the theme “Pioneering Engineering Solutions to Nigeria’s Climate and Food Security Challenges”, will focus on “Sustainable Engineering Solutions to Food Security and Climate Change,” addressing issues central to the nation’s future.
The president said the society’s commitment to developing the engineering profession locally is advancing initiatives to support rural communities.
“Our NSE Entrepreneurship Development Programme has empowered engineers to lead innovations in agribusiness. We plan to establish Demonstration Farms and Engineering Villages, where engineers will apply mechanised farming techniques, renewable energy solutions, and irrigation technology in partnership with NALDA and Assetrise Limited. These hubs will enable our engineers to bring expertise directly to rural communities, supporting sustainable agricultural practices and economic growth”.
Oguntala said the conference would showcase innovative engineering solutions to Nigeria’s food security and climate resilience challenges.
“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 and renewable energy solutions like mini-grid solar installations that foster energy independence for rural farming.”
She continued, “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.
“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”.
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