Contributing towards meeting Africa Agenda 2063: progress made by Nigerian Agricultural Engineers in the development of small-scale agricultural machinery

Abstract

One of the major aspirations of the African Union's Africa Agenda 2063 is to eradicate poverty and achieve a high standard of living, quality of life and wellbeing for all. It is key to develop relevant machinery to meet this target. Hence in this study, the importance of agricultural machinery and its development as a way to achieve the Agenda 2023 vision is highlighted. The research efforts of Agricultural Engineers towards helping to feed the populace effectively by way of developing small-scale machines and systems have been reviewed. The machines and systems include those for planting and weeding, bird scarring on rice fields, fruit harvesting, food and feed extrusion, wet sieving, drying and food cutting. The challenges faced during these activities are also highlighted. Finally, the recommendations towards improving the development of agricultural machinery in Nigeria were elucidated. It is hoped that this study goes a long way to encourage researchers who are in this discipline to do more while also ensuring wider patronage so we can realise the 'The Africa We Want'.