AN

ORAL SEMINAR PRESENTATION

ON

THE CHALLENGES OF AGRICULTURAL

ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

PRESENTEDBY

TOKURAH, MAJID OSHOLE-IMODUAGE/09/6543

CONTENT

Agricultural Engineering Education Agricultural Engineering Education in Nigeria (Admission and

graduating requirements, curricula, training duration) Challenges/barriers of Agricultural Engineering Education Solutions on Agricultural Engineering Technology and Development

in Nigeria Conclusion Recommendations

Agricultural engineering education AEE is essential as a suitable vehicle towards sustainable

development of the socio-economic infrastructures necessary for the growth of the agricultural sector. Undoubtedly, the quest for sustainable development in agriculture depends on the extent to which Agricultural Engineering Education is revamped and transformed to compete globally.

Today education has evolved as the primary agent of transformation towards sustainable development, increasing human’s capacities to transform their visions for society into reality. (UNESCO,2005)

Agricultural Engineering Education in Nigeria(Admission and Graduating requirements, curricula, training duration

Challenges/barriers of Agricultural Engineering Education

Developmental Challenges (Infrastructural inadequacies) Institutional Challenges

Training and skill acquisition( institutional training, SIWES, field studies, laboratories), SIWES, NYSC engagement do not give exposure to students.

Overemphasis on certificates at the expense of skillIll-conceived educational programmes through inappropriate

curricula and programme structures not relevant to national development.

Lack of access to relevant and timely information is also another major barrier as many opportunities available in agricultural engineering specializations are not accessible

Agricultural Mechanizationin the Developing World Agricultural transformation will involve radical changes in both

power and energy with greater use of machine power and higher levels of machine use.

Agriculture in the developing world is still labor-intensive. Human labor accounts for 2/3 of the power input in agriculture, draft animals ¼, and machine power less than 1/10.

Situation in Nigeria Lack of appropriate machineries that cater to and suit the

requirements of small-scale farms. Basic farm mechanization requirements:

suitability to small farms; simple design and technology; versatility for using in different farm operations; affordability in terms of cost to farmers; and provision of support services from the government and the

private sectors/ manufacturers. (Soni)

Solutions to Agricultural Engineering education and development in Nigeria We should develop engineering systems that monitor, replace, or

intervene to agricultural problems indigenous to Nigeria. E.g. Agricultural machineries for our soils.

Provision of support services from the government and the private sectors/ manufacturers to educational institutions.

More focus needs to be placed on entrepreneurship. (students should be learn to be farm managers before graduation by at least managing an hectare of land

Agricultural Engineers should become more involved with policy issues and let administrators know about the benefits of your work to society and ensure that engineering is on the priorities list.

Holistic Engineering:Be Part of the Social Team Why the public doesn’t appreciate us more:

We have not communicated our achievements effectively. (We have not thought beyond our individual micro studies. The technical aspect is only part of the picture, sometimes the easy part. Engineering should help people, so social and economic discussions cannot be ignored).

Contributions of Agricultural Engineering education to the economy Food security Reduction of drudgery in Agricultural work Rural infrastructural development Industrial development Employment Generation

Conclusion Government policy always plays a vital role in the R&D for

Agricultural Engineering. This seminar enlightens us on why agricultural engineering

education is important to our economy and the challenges involved in providing higher quality food, thereby reducing world poverty, help poor farmers raise their incomes, pollution control, resource conservation, reduced drudgery.

Recommendations Outstanding research graduates from the university should

equally be considered and sponsored to further their research work

A broad and practical science oriented education is needed to help create agricultural engineers who can respond to the challenges they will undoubtedly meet in the future.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING