The Women in Mechanized Agriculture (WIMA) have taken a significant step towards promoting inclusive agricultural mechanization in Nigeria by organizing the KadAgriMech Invest 1.0 summit in Kaduna state.
The event, themed “Unlocking Inclusive Agricultural Mechanization: Driving Investment, Financing, and Growth in Nigeria,” brought together stakeholders from the agricultural sector, development partners, financial institutions, and government agencies to discuss the way forward for mechanized farming in the country.
In her remarks, Jamila Mahdi, Representative of the President of WIMA, stated that the organization has been working with women and youths to transform agriculture through mechanization in Kaduna state.
She highlighted the collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, particularly the Department of Mechanization, Kaduna State Investment Promotion, and other partners, including BE Development and BE Enterprises, to establish Kaduna state as a mechanization hub and productivity hub for farmers.
The summit also featured a financial panel discussion on “Structuring Inclusive Agri-Financing: Gender-Lens Investing, Risk Mitigation, and De-risking Mechanisms,” which aimed to explore ways of making financing more accessible to women and small-scale farmers.
Mallam Abdullahi Aliyu Musa, Head of Mechanization at the Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture, in his goodwill message, emphasized the importance of agriculture in the country’s economy, particularly in the northern part of the country. He noted that Kaduna state is a major producer of farm produce, thanks to government support, and commended organizations like WIMA for adding more support to the sector. He, however, lamented that the country is still lagging behind in mechanized farming, with a low mechanization rate of 0.027.
Dr. Joyce Hauwa, representing the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), highlighted the importance of capacity building, knowledge management, and gender balance in agricultural development. She emphasized the need to integrate women into agricultural programs to improve their productivity and benefits from agricultural resources.
The summit featured a presentation by Professor Aminu Saleh from the Agricultural Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Professor Aminu showcased various machinery and equipment developed by his institute, highlighting their uses and durability. The presentation exposed the audience to the availability of locally fabricated machinery that can enhance agricultural productivity.
Other highlights of the event included a farm machinery exhibition and networking lunch and goodwill messages from various organizations, including NAERLS, KADIPA, PROCOM+, TracTrac, ETK, NCAM, IAR, and the Ministry of Human Resources.
The summit is a significant step towards promoting inclusive agricultural mechanization in Nigeria and empowering women and small-scale farmers to increase their productivity and income. By bringing together stakeholders and showcasing innovative solutions, the event has laid a solid foundation for future growth and development in the agricultural sector.
Cov/Fadila Yunusa
