UNN, investors synergise to provide tractors for farmers

By Fred Ezeh

The management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and the Higher Institution Tractorisation Initiative (HITI) have agreed to support the economic diversification programmes of the federal government, particularly in the area of agricultural revolution.

With the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, they recently unveiled plans to pursue the course of local tractor manufacturing, making it available for farmers engaged in mechanised farming.

UNN’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, who led UNN officials to sign the implementation agreement in Abuja, described the content of the agreement as a realistic step to agricultural revolution in Nigeria thus making it a lucrative venture.

He explained that the goal of the initiative was to leverage the huge concentration of skilled manpower and human resources in Nigeria to provide farming solutions and support systems to the challenges of mechanised farming tools, with emphasis on tractors.

He added that opportunity would be provided for university students, under close watch and supervision, to assemble tractors, provide service, maintenance back-up and operations for the success of farming and food security initiatives of government.

Ozumba announced that ANAMMCO has offered to provide mentorship, while the Digital Bridge Institute would support with tractor ICT management, as well as others stakeholders that would contribute in their own way to the success of the project.

Meanwhile, HITI transactional adviser, Ike Willie-Nwobu, emphasised that farming was no longer left to rural farmers alone. He highlighted productivity enhancement, which could only come through the provision of tools needed for that.

He also stated that Nigeria must restructure its agro-business platforms through innovation, thus he called for support from all stakeholders to realise the agenda.

from The Sun News http://ift.tt/2vZLDUq
via IFTTT