What Rasheed Omobolaji tells Infoprations about machine fabrication, Buhari’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan

Mr Rasheed Omobolaji working on a machine at his workshop in Ibadan, Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the African countries that has huge fertile land for agricultural purposes, how would you describe Nigerians’ contributions to the development of the sector on the continent?

Yes, Nigeria has about 91 million hectares as total land area, 98% of which is found to be arable but it's unfortunate that less than 40% of this land is being cultivated occasionally. With about 200 million population, research shows that over 1.5 acres of land is available for a person to cultivate. Can you now see that this land is underused? And considering the fact that Nigeria's land yield is 1.5 tons/hectare, the 40% arable land if cultivated cannot suffice for the increasing population.  Hence, Nigerian's contribution to the development of agriculture in the continent is inconsequential.

You are into machine fabrication for farmers, what motivates you to venture into this area?

Considering the state and the yearnings of the government about diversification of Nigeria's economy and by the virtue of my profession and training as an agricultural engineer, I strongly feel there is a need for me to contribute my quota to the development of the country by removing stress and commercializing the agricultural sector.  By designing and fabrication of agroprocessing machines, the economy will definitely be impacted positively. 

What is the place of machine fabrication in the attainment of Nigeria’s economic recovery and growth plan, especially agriculture targets?

Most developed countries get huge returns from the export of agricultural produce example is rice, and this can be aided by agroprocessing machines. Currently, agroprocessing machines has been identified as a key element in the agrobusiness value chain as stakeholders have the opinion that it is a promising foreign exchange source and processing of food crops for export is just the way to go for economic recovery and growth plan.

Considering the huge import of machines for agricultural purposes, would you say Nigeria is on track of ending lack of agricultural machinery by having someone like you in the machine development segment?

Machine fabricators need to be encouraged with government's policies.
The huge importation of machines for agricultural purposes will only increase unemployment. Agricultural engineering graduates will develop interest in design and fabrication of machines if they're encouraged and this will in turn make us more productive as a country. Without these, the attainment of specific targets in the country’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan would be difficult. A recent analysis conducted by Enterprations, a Lagos based management consulting company, indicates that activities within agriculture are better achieved within 2 years than 4 years. Truly, to achieve the activities, government needs to consider the trained fabricators because activities meant for the rejuvenation of small scale agribusinesses cannot be attained without fabrication of machines for farmers who could not bear the huge expenses attached to foreign machines.

How do you see your company in the next five years?

Hmm... I see us growing and expanding while our machines are being used in different parts of the country and also exporting them to neighbouring countries by the grace of God.

What are your challenges so far? 

As we know that there is no business without challenges. Our biggest challenge in the fabrication industry is the perception Nigerians have towards made- in- Nigeria products. Many Nigerian companies believe imported machines serve better than Nigerian made ones which is not true. I think it is high time for Nigerians to support ourselves by patronising made-in-Nigeria products. Another challenge is the epileptic power supply that is common with almost all businesses.

What advice do you have for young people that want to venture into your kind of business? 

I'll advice youth not to cut ways in the process of acquiring engineering skills. This is seen when youths do not take their time to go for proper engineering training and do most of their stuffs theoretically, without merging theory and practical. As a result, substandard machines which wear before their expected life span are produced. 

One of the Mr Agrico Engineering Limited’s Machines

      Name: De-feathering machine, made from Stainless Steel.

      This is capable of plucking 4 birds at a time.

     Uses: De-feathering machine is developed for removing the feathers from several types         of birds. 

     Potential Users: Meat Shops, Poultry Farmers

Infoprations' Notes: Rasheed Omobolaji is the Chief Executive Officer Mr Agrico Engineering Limited, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.