The minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has pledged the federal government’s dedication to advance agricultural mechanisation with a holistic approach to empower farmers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to boost agricultural enterprises and to meet the demands of the global market.
The minister who declared open the 2024 Special Agricultural Equipment Expo in Abuja, said that the initiative aimed to revolutionise the agricultural landscape by integrating technology-driven solutions.
Represented by the director, agric business and marketing, Gagare Nadungu, Kyari emphasised that mechanised agriculture remains the cornerstone for realising the sector’s untapped potential, which is essential for empowering farmers and revitalising rural economies.
The event with a theme, “Sustainable Food Security and Agro Produce Export Through Mechanisation was organised by the Eurobase Consult Limited in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security with the goal to utilise the transformative potential of agricultural mechanisation to solidify food and nutrition security, reduce poverty, and stimulate sustainable growth and job creation throughout the nation.
According to the minister, the government’s dedication to agricultural mechanisation aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” specifically to promote eco-friendly agribusiness practices that safeguard natural resources and ensure environmental sustainability for posterity.
The minister also highlighted the importance of the private sector’s resilience and innovation where he called for a focus on inclusivity, to ensure that the fruits of economic advancement are distributed across all social strata.
Kyari urged stakeholders to capitalise the moment to engage in dialogue, create alliances, and outline a vision for a more affluent and robust agricultural sector.
Addressing a gathering of industry experts, stakeholders, and government representatives, the managing-director, Eurobase Africa, Don Ekesiobi emphasised the critical role of mechanisation in overcoming the challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and resource limitations.
Ekesiobi called for more collaborative effort between Eurobase Consulting Limited and the Nigerian government where he outlined a series of requests, urging for exemptions from taxes, import duties, and regulatory fees on agricultural equipment and inputs for a period of two years.
He said that these measures are intended to stimulate local investment, prevent capital flight to neighbouring countries, and position Nigeria as a leading investment destination once again.