The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, and STIHL, a German company, on Friday inaugurated some agricultural tools worth N5 million.
The agricultural tools inaugurated included Chainsaw, Sprayer, Tiller, Earth Auger, Mist Blower, Brushcutter, Palm cutter, and Pole Pruner.
Speaking at the event in Ibadan, the IITA BIP Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Frederick Schreurs, said the IITA mechanization unit promoted STIHL machines that were found worthy of use by African farmers.
Schreurs, represented by his Personal Assistant, Mrs. Victoria Ayeni, said the equipment would enable farmers to do multiple tasks on their farms with ease, higher productivity, and efficiency.
He said the unit would facilitate the sales of the equipment to farmers and other IITA projects through its post-harvest unit.
“We have provided a showroom as promised, nominated operators for internal maintenance and they have been supporting this cause greatly.
“We plan to hold different stakeholders meetings and farmers, a field day to sensitize farmers on the tools and how they can use them.
“They are easy, affordable especially for smallholder farmers who are our target; with such equipment, a farmer can clear a hectare within a day or two,” he said.
He pledged its support to continue to create awareness for the tools in the agriculture industry and ensure continuous sales of the tools.
“We have become an official partner for Woermaan Nigeria Ltd and a dealer for STIHL products in Nigeria,” he said.
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Earlier, the STIHL Head of Machinery Department, Mr. Olubunmi Cole, said the equipment was provided to enable farmers to engage in mechanized farming.
“They are German machines, rugged, they don’t have issues with repairs because their spare parts are available and easy to access in Nigeria.
“This will also help farmers produce faster and get more yield, STIHL is after making the work easier as farmers will no longer use manual equipment with these,” he said.
Also, a farmer, Mrs Elizabeth Ayeni, said the machines were good, affordable, and would make the job easier and faster for the farmers.
“We just need the spare parts to always be available and made accessible for the farmers”, she said.
