By Faridat Salifu
Agriculture stakeholders have emphasised that Nigeria’s food security depends on large-scale mechanisation, which can make farming more profitable, less laborious, and attractive to youths and women.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), Ilorin, participants highlighted the need to move away from traditional tools like hoes and cutlasses toward modern machinery and locally produced technologies.
Dr. Adamu Dabban, Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, said mechanisation is essential for increasing productivity, feeding the population, and generating surplus for export. “Our rate of mechanisation is too low. We must adopt machines and modern tools to transform farming practices,” he said.
Oluwole Ogujini, Co-Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, noted that mechanisation could remove the physical burden of farming, making it more attractive to youths. He said exhibiting locally produced machinery at the conference would further strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
Mrs. Taiwo Kehinde, National Coordinator of Women in Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering in Nigeria (WABEN), said women, who make up a large portion of farmers, must influence decisions on mechanisation.
“Mechanisation must meet the needs of women farmers. Our goal is to develop technologies they can adopt and use effectively at the rural level,” she said.
Stakeholders agreed that engaging youth and empowering women through mechanisation could transform Nigeria’s agriculture sector, improving productivity, income, and food security nationwide.
