An Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) has been set up by the federal government in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
This was disclosed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Haruna, at the ground breaking of the institute on Monday in Lafia.
He said the development was part of the federal government’s intervention in agriculture to revolutionise farming and food processing in Nigeria, using technology.
Prof Haruna said that the institute had the mandate of building on the successes of NASENI in the production of agricultural equipment from cultivation through the food value chain to post-harvest, processing and food preservation.
He said the institute would serve as a pilot location for the implementation of the agreement between Nigeria and Czech Republic on research, development of equipment and training of Nigerians in the field of agriculture.
The NASENI boss said the institute would also focus on processing agricultural waste to renewable energy.
“The institute will also serve as a pilot location for the implementation of agreement between NASENI and a Jordanian agency on food safety to guarantee quality and acceptability of Nigeria’s farm produce for export,” Haruna added.
In his speech, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, commended NASENI for championing the course of technological innovation and advancement in the country.
In his address, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State lauded the federal government for the establishment of AMEDI in Lafia.
