From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) Saturday in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital
Recall that the president had provided the establishment of AMEDI in the six geo political zones in Nigeria with one in each of the zone towards achieving agricultural revolution and to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on importation of foreign technologies for agricultural implements.
The president described the project as one that would make nigeria a hub and supplier of agro allied technology, equipment and machines towards achieving agricultural revolution in Nigeria while inspired by the mandate of the AMEDI projects cut across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
According to the president, who was recently at the groundbreaking ceremony of the institute instituted by his chief of staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari saying the AMADI project will further reiterates the federal government commitment to the development of a technology based national economy.
it added that the AMADI Lafia like five others is expected to host a demonstration farm, which would serve as a pilot farm to showcase new techniques in agricultural processing, innovation and technology.
Speaking during the commissioning, Executive vice chairman/ Chief Executive, Engr. M.S Haruna said the
speedy delivery on Presidential directives not only justifying the new status of the agency but also to fast-track transition of Nigeria to a manufacturing knowledge based economy.
Haruna also stressed that AMEDI Lafia is the first to be completed among the six (6) equals across the geo-political zones of the country. adding that
conceptualization of the 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.
He further said the peculiarity of the Nigeria 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.
“As a modular agricultural institute, AMEDI Lafia and others when completed have a template to advance the injection of Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI) in the agricultural space across the country.”
“The inbuilt capabilities of the institutes will ensure the use of additive and SMART manufacturing platforms already acquired by NASENI system-wide to
design, develop, assemble and produce agricultural and food processing implements for various classes of farmers.”
“The main workshop in the institute shall become a model of SMART factory that will leverage cutting edge technologies to deliver made in Nigeria products and market demanddriven services that are suitable for both our farmers and arable lands.”
He said the crop-livestock integration farming model to be practiced in the experimental farm of the institute is strategic to training of farmers and agro entrepreneurs on sustainable farming methods using land resource optimization models.
“This institute is equipped with Central Research Laboratory that will support the research activities of the institute along the various value chains of the target product lines of the institute. The institute has installed modern equipment for the processing of fruit juices, milk and other dairy products, tomato processing to mention but a few.”
He said each equipment that is installed
is for backward integration and multiple and improved versions would be produced by the institute for the benefits of farmers and agro-equipment
industries that would mass produce to meet the demand of the nation.
He however maintained that the mandate of the institute is aligned perfectly with the NASENI’s National Tractor and Heavy Duty/Machinery Recovery,Refurbishment and Redeployment project, while the exhibition center of the institute shall engage in show-casing of agricultural innovations and serve as a point of attraction for youth engagements in agriculture for job and wealth creation.
In a similar development, the president, Muhammadu Buhari also commissioned the Federal Secretariats that would host all federal agencies in Nasarawa state.