Bring in the MACHINES 1

The Nigerian agriculture is rapidly transforming and over the years, effective policy reforms have led to over $58 billion from international agribusiness community. At the AGRA Innovate Nigeria exhibition that provided a perfect platform to meet buyers, establish local partnership and network with key policymakers and experts. Mr. Jamie Rixton, General Manager, Panafrican Equipment Nigeria- Agricultural Division and key panelist at the event spoke to The Guardian on the need to modernise agriculture through mechanisation and way forward.

Why the focus on Nigeria

Nigeria's agricultural sector has a massive potential if well harnessed, especially looking at what has happened in the last 30 years. The number of tractors imported into Nigeria in the 1990s was reasonably average. Since 1993, that figure dropped drastically and 2014 witnessed just a few numbers of tractors and other machines.

We are interested in rebuilding Nigeria's agricultural capabilities again; it needs to be revamped. In the past, foods produced locally in Nigeria were 80 per cent locally produced and 20 per cent was imported. Currently, the reverse is the case.

We are committed to offering value for all stakeholders by acting with safety, integrity, sense of urgency and attention to details.

How far would mechanisation go with attendant high cost?

That you have two hectares of land, for instance, does not make you a farmer. Renting that land to a professional will do a lot more and in return, yield constant income to the landowner. Agriculture is not just about farming. It is about the entire value chain, which is important. It is capable of turning people into enterpreneurs within a farming community. Clock start ticking as soon as you start work in the farm, as there is ripening stage for both the crops and animals and there is need to understand where the market is avoid wastage. This means, you must get your market first prior to production as perishables, for instance, could take 48 hours to remain good. There are situations where there are produce but no market. This is where the value chain comes into play.

There are several considerations in employing mechanisation. It is not about immediate cheap cost of purchasing a tractor. An instance is: if you buy five million naira tractor and it last just two years and at the same time, you buy N10 million tractor, and it last between 10 and 20 years, obviously, the later makes economic and business sense and more cost effective, too.

Creating good maintenance culture is very important to keep the machines in general good condition and one of our areas of major concern is commercial farming.
To be continued...

Source from :http://allafrica.com/stories/201602080226.html