Buhari inaugurates Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute in Lafia

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated Nigeria's Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (Amedi) in the Nasarawa State capital Lafia as part of a long-term programme to enhance food security and create jobs across the country.

Amedi, an initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (Naseni), is equipped with modern laboratories and machines for mechanised farming and agricultural development. This project is aimed at making the nation self-sufficient in food production as well as creating more sustainable jobs for Nigeria’s teeming youths.

Earlier today, President Buhari was taken round the premises of the institute by the Naseni chief executive Professor Muhammed Sani, where he inspected facilities including equipment and laboratories. Professor  Sani said the foundation laying for the construction of the institute and its inauguration took place within a period of less than six months.

He added: "Naseni under my leadership has developed a culture of speedy delivery on presidential directives not only to justify the new status of the agency but also to fast-track the transition of Nigeria to a manufacturing knowledge-based economy. The peculiarity of our soil with inherent edaphic factors and peculiar topography require the production of made in Nigeria agricultural implements, machinery and equipment that can support responsible and productive agricultural practices in the face of climate change.

”We are conversant with the Sustainable Development Goals and our national expectations to end hunger and create decent cum inclusive jobs for our youth and women. We are resolved at Naseni to use the platforms of Amedi to modernise agri-business in Nigeria and ensure sustainable scaling of agro-enterprises for new jobs and wealth creation.”

Professor Sani said the inbuilt capabilities of the institutes would ensure the use of additive and smart manufacturing platforms already acquired by Naseni system-wide to design, develop, assemble and produce agricultural and food processing implements for various classes of farmers. He added that Amedi is equipped with a central research laboratory that will support the research activities of the institute along the various value chains of the target product lines.