Chairman, Shendam Local Government of Plateau, Nicholas Nshe, has sought Finland’s partnership to strengthen grassroots agricultural mechanisation and innovation.
This is contained in a statement issued by the chairman on Thursday.
It said Nshe was in a delegation of Association of Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Finland to adopt global best practices that would be replicated to reposition local agricultural development.
The statement said the officials sought the Finnish government’s partnership during the strategic visit with a view to boosting grassroots agricultural development through agricultural mechanisation and innovation.
It explained that the visit was part of ALGON’s international collaboration initiative focusing on advancing agricultural systems through modern technology, mechanised farming, and sustainable practices.
The partnership discussions bothered on the introduction of advanced agricultural implements, equipment, and mechanisation strategies that would significantly boost food production, improve efficiency, and empower local farmers across Plateau.
“The delegation participated in activities surrounding the Helsinki Agricultural Machinery Fair, a premier event that convenes Finnish agricultural and forestry producers to showcase cutting-edge innovations.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of our local economy, and to achieve food security, create jobs, and increase productivity, we must embrace mechanisation and modern technology.
“This visit is a deliberate step towards building strategic partnerships that will transform farming in Shendam and Plateau State at large,” the statement quoted the chairman as saying.
It said the LG boss listed the Finnish agricultural technological innovations that are of interest to include its Automatic UVC irradiation devices for plant disease control, and the Virtual Reality (VR) learning environments for agricultural training.
Finland’s advanced data integration models for improved farm management, among many others that were featured at the innovative market, are also worthy of replicating back home.
The council boss, accompanied by the state ALGON chairman, Hamisu Anani, among others, said they were collectively committed to facilitating international collaborations that would translate into tangible benefits for local governments.
He expressed confidence that the visit would yield long-term cooperation agreements, technology transfer opportunities, capacity-building programs, and access to modern agricultural equipment that would empower farmers and boost rural development.
The ex-ALGON chairman and three-term elected chairman, Shendam LG, said the council under him had witnessed unprecedented progressive initiatives that have boosted economic growth, agricultural sustainability, and improved livelihoods of the people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Finland is renowned globally for its high standards in agricultural machinery design and manufacturing.
