By Moyofoluwa Ogunyemi
Research and Innovation Systems for Africa Knowledge Exchange and Cascaded Commercialization (RISA-KECC) has commended the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) for its proactive role in advancing innovation in agricultural mechanization and its dedication to transforming the agricultural sector through mechanization promotion and capacity building.
The Technical Advisor of RISA-KECC, Mr. Samuel Abass, highlighted this during a two-day workshop organized by the Connection of Stakeholders in Agricultural Mechanization (CONESAM) in collaboration with RISA-KECC, in Lagos. In his address, he mentioned that the initiative has significantly contributed effectively to government policies and sustainable development within the agriculture ecosystem.
The workshop aimed to strengthen project development initiatives for research institutes and private sector stakeholders, focusing on agricultural mechanization and improving access to new markets for agribusinesses.
The RMRDC team, led by the Lagos State Coordinator, Mr. John Marinho, was joined by various industry players, including representatives from research institutes, farmers, and processors, to explore strategies for overcoming challenges such as financial constraints, lack of mechanization for certain crops and high production costs.
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The workshop also included technical sessions that focused on cutting-edge technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), which was described as a revolutionary approach to enhancing production processes and a uniting factor between processors and fabricators.
It is worth noting that in the last 2 years, RISA-KECC, through CONESAM, has been able to make in-roads into the agricultural mechanization ecosystem in Nigeria, with RMRDC playing very significant roles. The under-listed are the outcomes of RISA-KECC projects in Nigeria:
Co-opting 7 Research Institutions, including RMRDC as a Steering Committee member.
20 fabricator maker spaces on the platform in Lagos and Kano States.
30 processors
5 Regulatory Agencies
35 Participatory Technology Development (PTD) interventions
3 standardized technologies; and
2 Digital technology platforms
The recognition by RISA-KECC underscores RMRDC’s critical role in promoting agricultural mechanization and project development. As Nigeria continues to prioritize agricultural growth, the council’s efforts will remain vital in driving sustainable development and food security.
