The Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) was created by the Buhari administration to make Nigeria a hub and supplier of agro-allied technology, equipment and machinery.

The multi-billion Naira product of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), AMEDI is equipped with modern laboratories and machines that help mechanize agriculture in Nigeria.

The president of Nigeria, who was taken on a tour of the National Agricultural Seed Institute by its Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (Prof. Muhammed Sani), inspected facilities such as equipment and laboratories.

During the tour of the facilities, Sani said that it took less than six months to lay the foundation for the construction and inauguration of this institute.

He pointed out that this was the second time in three months that NASENI had been inaugurated by the president.

Sani said: ”We the management and staffers of NASENI are not taking this rare privilege for granted.

”The foundation laying for construction of this institute and its inauguration today is within a period of less than six months.

”Mr President may recall his directive for the establishment of six new Agricultural-Technology-based Institutes, one each per geo-political zone of Nigeria in 2021 as part of the twelve new Institutes approved to be established.

”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 transition of Nigeria to a manufacturing knowledge-based economy.”

According to him, AMEDI has been completed in Lafia and is the first of six equal projects across Nigeria's geo-political zones.

Sani said that the conceptualization of the institute was targeted at using science and engineering infrastructure in support of presidential efforts to attain food and nutritional security for Nigerians.

”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 AMEDIs to modernise agri-business in Nigeria and ensure sustainable scaling of agro-enterprises for new jobs and wealth creation,” he added.

The EVC further stated that, once completed, the AMEDI Lafia and others would provide a template for other agricultural institutions to advance Science Technology and Innovation (STI) in Nigeria's agriculture sector.

He said the institutes' existing inbuilt capabilities would ensure that SMART manufacturing platforms acquired by NASENI could be used to design, develop, assemble and produce agricultural implements for various classes of farmers.

He further added that, ”The main workshop in the institute shall become a model of SMART factory that will leverage cutting edge technologies to deliver Made- in-Nigeria products and market demand- driven services that are suitable for both our farmers and arable lands.

”The crop-livestock integration farming model to be practiced in the experimental farm of the institute is strategic to training of farmers and agro entrepreneurs on sustainable farming methods using land resource optimization models.”

He says that AMEDI's Central Research Laboratory will support the research activities of its constituent institutions, which are engaged in different phases along the product life-cycle.

Sani noted that the institute had installed modern equipment for processing fruit juices, milk, and other dairy products as well as tomato-based products.

He said, ”Each equipment that is installed here is for backward integration and multiple and improved versions would be produced by the institute for the benefits of farmers and agro-equipment industries that would mass produce to meet the demand of the nation.”

Sani said that the institute's mandate lined up perfectly with his organization’s National Tractor and Heavy Duty/Machinery Recovery, Refurbishment and Redeployment project.

”The exhibition centre of the institute shall engage in show-casing of agricultural innovations and serve as a point of attraction for youth engagements in agriculture for job and wealth creation,” he further stated.

Sani expressed his gratitude for the president’s approval of NASENI's projects and programs, which aim to improve citizens' quality of life.