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Blacksmiths/Artisans and Local Fabricators in the country have been charged to collectively put in effort to strengthen local capacity, promote innovation, and support the growth of small-scale food processing and fabrication industries in Nigeria.
A Director at the Federal Department of Agric Mechanization, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Engr. Suleiman Majeed, gave the charge during the opening ceremony of a three-day training on the production of simple food processing equipment and farm tools, held at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Engr. Suleiman Majeed, who was represented by Ms Joy Karo-Dawene, encouraged the participants to participate actively, exchange ideas, and build networks that would go a long way in shaping a more self-reliant and productive local economy.
The State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs. Fatima Agu, said equipping participants with practical techniques and design principles would enhance their ability to create durable, cost-effective, and efficient tools for agricultural processing.
She, however, urged participating Blacksmiths/Artisans and Local Fabricators at the intermediary training to make judicious use of the knowledge acquired in their various respective destinations.
In his welcome address, the Head of Blacksmiths/Artisans Training and Support Unit, BATSU Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ilorin, Engr. Ibrahim Ahmed, described Artisans, Blacksmiths, and local fabricators as bedrock of the nation’s industrial development.
He noted that their skills, creativity, and dedication cannot be overemphasized in the development of home-grown technologies that meet the real needs of communities.
Engr. Ibrahim Ahmed also appreciated the facilitators, technical experts, and partners who worked tirelessly to make the programme a reality.
Participants at the programme, organized by BATSU, under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, were drawn from across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT
By Baba Mohammed
