7 local fabricators win Canadian innovation grant
Seven local metal fabricators of agricultural processing equipment emerged winners of a Canadian Innovation grant for inventing various types of agricultural processing equipment in Bauchi state.
The winners were selected out of many other inventors who took part in an exhibition tagged “The Nigeria Way Innovation Project of Agro-processing equipment’’ held in Bauchi .
The exhibition was organized by Canadianbased non-governmental organization Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA).
Speaking at exhibition MEDA Deputy Field Manager Grace Hosen, said that the technology innovation fund is meant to support the youths that are creative to think about technology that will enhance the processing of rice, soybeans and groundnut.
``We are supporting these youths to continue to be creative and develop their talents in fabricating advanced equipment to boost agricultural activities.”
She said that the exhibition is also aimed at marketing the equipment and creating the awareness of their respective innovations.
“When they are doing things and nobody knows they will not develop but at least the awareness is created and we are giving them financial support, a small fund to help in supporting what they are doing.”
“We want to see made in Bauchi products. The ultimate goal is to support women and youths doing small processing things in their homes and workshops. We want to see how they will be able to upgrade and upscale and begin to see these products in the supermarkets.”
She appealed to the state government to build up on what they are doing by take up the challenge and responsibilities of bringing out the brains in Bauchi.
“We don’t want agricultural machine from China, Korea or any Western countries. We want Bauchi to be exporting agric processing equipment to other states as well as other countries. “
Responding on behalf of the winners, one of the fabricators, Muhammed Atiku, thanked MEDA for the gesture and pledged to utilize the sensitization and the funds to widen the scope of their individuals talents for development of agriculture.