The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said his administration is deploying policies and programmes to empower youth, researchers, and agripreneurs to add value, access markets, and deepen food security.
He said over 10,000 farmers in the state have so far benefitted from the distribution of tractors, ploughs, processors, and other farm implements.
The governor spoke at the 25th International Conference and 45th AGM of Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) and maiden National Agricultural Machinery Exhibition, held at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) in Idofian, Ifelodun local government area of the state.
Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum keynoted the event, which was also attended by minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and many engineers and dignitaries from across Nigeria.
AbdulRazaq commended the NIAE for its leading role in mechanisation and for laying a resilient foundation for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation for over five decades.
“The NIAE has driven mechanisation with research and locally designed machines that cut costs, boost yields, and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers across Nigeria and beyond. Proudly domiciled here, NCAM remains a national powerhouse in machinery development,” he said while declaring the conference open.
“In Kwara, we have mostly shifted agriculture from subsistence to full mechanisation, and your organisations have been the major enablers of this important leap.
“This gathering will definitely serve to share ideas about solutions to emerging issues, including the challenge of climate change, technology and global debate around GMOs, and the dynamic issues of land use among diverse economic groups.”
AbdulRazaq thanked the NIAE as well as the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) for choosing Kwara as host, noting that the conference reaffirms “our shared commitment to innovation and food security.”
He was presented with an Award of Excellence by the association in acknowledgement of his commitment to agricultural transformation.
