The federal government on Thursday in Sheda, Abuja, inaugurated a multi-purpose crop and grain dryers machine for smallholders farmers to reduce post harvest losses.

Speaking at the inauguration, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Shehuri, said the initiative was in tandem with the ministry’s  mechanisation policy.

He said the machine was critical in tackling the high level of post harvest losses in the country as well as preserving crops.

Mr Shehuri said that 90 per cent of farmers in Nigeria are smallholder  farmers and the government’s approach towards revolutionising agriculture was to empower the smallholders’ farmers.

Also speaking, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the Federal Department of Extension Services for introducing the machine to farmers.

“The Ministry has put in place the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy, NATIP (2022-2027) which instituted the revitalisation of the national agricultural extension system,” he said.

Mr Umakhihe says the national agricultural extension system is a core focus to close the gaps in order to fully fulfil its mandate of food and nutrition security and wealth creation.

The permanent secretary was represented by Solomon James, Director, General Services, ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Earlier, the Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Frank Kudla, said the machine’s target was to support farmer’s groups to reduce post-harvest losses.

Mr Kudla said that one of the advantages of GTR 750 mobile dryer technology is its collective usage by a number of farmers.

He said that the mobile dryer has a plug and play machine which has its own loading, cleaning, drying, cooling and offloading technology.

Mr Kudla said that the machine also has a control panel which makes it easy to operate.

“The grain is in constant motion (recirculating) during the drying process. This ensures a homogenous final moisture content of the total grain.

“Due to the constant movement, the grain dries evenly and faster, and there are also no burnt grains and the germination capacity of the grain is preserved,” he said.

In a Goodwill message, the traditional ruler of Kwali, Etsu Shaban Audu, commended the federal government for providing the multi- purpose dryer machine for the rural farmers.

“This is another effort of the federal government and we are most grateful for this achievement,” he said.

In a remark, President, Sorghum and Millet Farmers Association of Nigeria,  Yusuf Adams equally commended the federal government for the adoption of the multi grain dryers technology. 

(NAN)