
As part of activities to ensure the accessibility, acceptability, sustainability, and technical know-how of STIHL machines, C. Woermann, Nigeria and STIHL Company, Germany organized a three-day training from 30 November to 2 December at the Sahel room, IITA Ibadan. Focusing on enlightening, and evaluating the performance of the machines, the training exposed participants to the engineering modules of the selected machines to ensure farmers can use them to achieve high productivity.
One of the facilitators, IITA Post-Harvest Engineer Thierno Diallo, said agriculture is essential to humanity as they need continuous cultivation of crops for survival. He encouraged participants to embrace mechanization to ensure increased production, higher yields, and food security.
According to STIHL representative Victor Aliyu, participants were selected from seven different units of IITA, including the youth agripreneurs. He also added that participants were taught machine maintenance tips, which will help with the easy adoption of mechanization.

One of the participants, Charles Olabanji, Production Officer, IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA), commended the training organizers. He stated that the training was a good development related to his work, especially the tilling machine, brush-cutter, saw machine, and farm cutter. He also extolled the durability of some of the machines during the field demonstration while suggesting “IITA should patronize STIHL as the machines used for demonstration are durable.”
Cliff Mfam, Cassava Breeder, acknowledged the usefulness of the machines, especially the farm cutter, and he advised farmers to adopt it. According to him, it will reduce the drudgery of labor and the work hours on the field. He further suggested that STIHL can improve the tiller, and IITA can modernize the tiller.
At the end of the 3-day training, participants received certificates of participation.
Contributed by
Recent stories