Business
NCAM Tasks Firms On Agric Research Results
The National Centre for
Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), has urged cottage industries to commercialise results from agricultural research centres to boost productivity and standardise agricultural practices in the country.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the NCAM, Dr Muyideen Kasali, made the call in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday.
He said NCAM, in line with its mandate, had produced threshers, palm nut crackers, oil palm processing line, motorised industrial garri fryer, graters and peelers awaiting commercialisation.
Kasali said the centre has also produced toaster, pelletizers, polishers, groundnut decorticator, melon shellers, and rice milling machines among others.
“We have organised a colloquium on commercialisation of farm equipment, we produce where we brought together stakeholders to enlighten them on the need for commercialisation.
“But it is not easy for us because an entrepreneur will like to get returns on investment as quick as possible, which is where we have a problem; it is the main hindrance against commercialisation.
“We need cottage industries that can takeover because we are mandated to produce only prototypes.
“It is because they are not coming to commercialise our products that’s why we have resulted to producing in large quantities only on demand,’’ he said.
Kasali said that the purchasing power of the farmers was very low, saying that there would be need for some sort of subsidy for them to acquire the equipment.
The executive secretary said the centre was encouraging farmers to form cooperative societies to enable them share the cost of purchase and other associated risks.
He said some farmers have adopted the initiative already and they had bought threshers, used it on their farms and loaned it out to other farmers thereby generating extra income.
Kasali said the centre had also trained craftsmen, welders and some youths so they can take over the technology and commercialise it but more needed to be done.
“I wish to see NCAM become a centre of excellence, we will like to see equipment produce at the centre being used across the country and beyond,’’ he added.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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