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Participants at the just concluded Skill Acquisition and Empowerment training of youths in fabrication Techniques have been told to use their newly acquired skills to develop agriculture machines that will help the country achieve agricultural industrialization.
Executive Director, National Center for Agricultural Mechanization, NCAM, Dr. Muideen Kasali gave the advice at the graduation ceremony held for participants of the training at the Center in Idofian, Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State.
Represented by Engineer Isaac Ozumba, Dr Kasali said the youth should use the fabrication skills learnt during the 21-day training programme to help Small and Medium Enterprises in their localities to fabricate agricultural machines, as well as train others to achieve Federal Government’s industrialization policy for the sector.
Also speaking, Head of Engineering and Scientific Services in the Centre, Dr Olusola Ogunjirin, while thanking Federal Government for the opportunity given to Nigerian youths to be self-reliant in production of agriculture machineries, urged the participants not to sell the starter packs presented to them but use them for the purpose they were meant for.
Dr Ogunjirin noted that their fabrication skills would to help reduce importation of agricultural machineries as well as generate more income for the country.
Presenting the starter packs to the participants, Dr Julius Omisore emphasized that the Twenty-One day program sponsored by Federal Government would enable the youths to fabricate indigenous simple and low cost machines for farming, processing and storage of agricultural produce.
The starter packs presented to the 45 participants included welding machines, grinders, harmers, set of screw-drivers, welding shield and drilling machines among others.
Some of the participants who spoke with Radio Nigeria expressed satisfaction with the skills acquired during the programme assured that they will make judicious use of the starter packs presented to them.
Lawrence Afolabi.
