The Federal Government has approved the establishment of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Development Institute for the North Central Zone in Lafiya, Nasarawa State.
The executive vice Chairman National Agency for Science and Engineering and Infrastructure (NASENI) Professor Sani Haruna stated this while presenting the approval letter to Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House, Lafiya.
Presenting the Letter of Approval for the establishment of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Development Institute to Governor Sule, the executive vice Chairman of NASENI, said the institute will be established in the six geopolitical zones of the country to develop machinery and other tools to ease agricultural trade, food processing and preservation.
“The Presidency studied very well and decided that each of the six geopolitical zones should have an Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Development Institute. It is intended that all the equipment needed in the Agric sector together with heavy machinery will be produced locally.”
Professor Haruna explained that lack of mechanization and adverse climate situation have over the years hindered agricultural sector improvement hence the idea of the deployment of technological equipment to overcome the challenges.
Appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for the numerous assistance and interventions to Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule said the sighting of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Development Institute for the North Central Zone in Nasarawa State is commendable considering the centrality and agrarian nature of the state.
“It is a great pleasure for us that we are having this which is very important to us being an agrarian state.”
Governor Sule explained that peasant farmers in Nasarawa State have been suffering from harvest losses for a long time, but noted that the institute will go a long way to help in increasing productivity and reduce post farming wastages.
The State Governor further disclosed that a sight has been earmarked with a temporary office for the smooth take off of the institute in the State.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI Professor Sani Haruna and his management team were taken round to assess the proposed sight for the takeoff of the Institute in the State.