Sasakawa Africa Association, in collaboration with Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project has trained 45 local fabricators in the manufacturing of agricultural machines.

SAA Country Director, Godwin Atseye, said this shortly after inspecting local fabricators workshop supported by SAA/KSADP in Kano State on Wednesday.

He said that the KSADP was funded by the Islamic Development Bank, Lives and Livelihoods Funds and the Kano State Government launched the training programme in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Research of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Mr Atseye explained that the programme was aimed at enhancing the skills of local fabricators and welders and to enable them to produce high-quality agricultural machines

meeting the needs of smallholder farmers.

“So far, 45 local fabricators have been trained and empowered with welding and fabrication kits worth N8.5 million, given to them to enhance their trade,” he said.

According to him, the kits include a pair of welding helmets, safety glasses, welding inverter machines, angle grinders, safety booths, and protective gloves.

The country director noted that the training programme facilitated by the Sasakawa Africa Association, implementing the crop component of the KSADP, focused on practical skills development, with 90 per cent of the training dedicated to hands-on activities.

He further said that the participants were taught general safety precautions, how to read manufacturing drawings, operate machine tools, balance rotating parts, and weld components effectively.

The SAA boss added that the trainees were selected from the 44 local government areas of the state and gained knowledge of the strength of materials and different welding methods.

He stated, “The training will provide participants with the necessary skills to operate and maintain machinery efficiently, reducing reliance on manual labour. The programme will also equip participants with the technical knowledge and skills required to design, fabricate and supply high quality agricultural machines.”

One of the beneficiaries, Hassan Musa, commended SAA/KSADP for lifting the members out of poverty through its intervention.

He explained that the gesture had also transformed his life by improving his earnings.

He promised to make the best use of the machines and also pledged to share the knowledge with others.

Another beneficiary, Shua’aib Aliyu, also said that SAA’s intervention had really changed their lives for good financially.

He said that they were small scale welders, doing petty jobs, “but with the new machines and techniques given to us by SAA, we are now fabricating different machines, including multi- threshers.’’

(NAN)