NAN-AE-11
Food
By Amen Gajira
Minna, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) has urged all tiers of government to adopt mechanised farming to ensure food sufficiency in the country.
The NIAEs made the call on Tuesday in a communique, issued at the end of its 37th National Conference in Minna and signed by its newly-inaugurated National President, Mr Shuaibu Musa.
Musa, who is also the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, said that adequate storage system, capable of making agricultural products available all-year round should be prioritised.
He decried the incessant conflicts between herdsmen and farmers across the country, and urged government to go back to the cattle routes system to prevent such development. Musa said that the 16-man NIAE executive would develop a new approach to ensure a collaboration between the government and the private sector to maximise production. The theme of the conference is: “Agricultural and Bio resources Engineering: Gateway to Diversify Nigeria Oil- Based Economy, Job and Wealth Creation and Environment Sustainability.”
The event was attended by 170 Agricultural Engineers and other related professionals from within and outside Nigeria. He condemned government’s full involvement in the purchase and distribution of assorted fertiliser, saying that the government subsidy ought to have been operated by the private sector.
According to him, a sustained and diligent implementation of the Federal Government’s agricultural promotion policy ‘The Green Alternative’ must be vigorously pursued.
Musa advised that government should liaise with Agricultural Research Institutions in disseminating developed technologies. (NAN)
AMEN/FLP/AFA
Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Felix Ajide
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