VDMA Unveils Technological Plans for Agric Development in Nigeria

Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, otherwise known as German Engineering Federation (VDMA), while unveiling its developmental plans for the Nigeria’s agricultural sector reiterated that without intelligent technology it will be impossible to supply the rapidly global population with food and water.

VDMA is the trade organization of the German Engineering industry with approximately 3,100 member companies, representing manufacturers of machinery, equipment and plant in Germany.

Speaking during a press conference in Lagos tagged: “Economic Sector Development: Challenges, Trends and Innovation”, Richard Clemens, managing director of the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, said, eating and drinking are basic human needs that must be addressed every single day.

He described the tasks as the biggest challenges of the future, as the topic is discussed on many different levels.

Clemens, then said, the proper handling of food and beverages requires great technologies skills and experience.

He said: “Precisely, this is the strength of the German manufacturers of food processing and packaging machinery who not only are global market leaders, but also can look back on a long tradition in these disciplines. In 2013, they supplied machines and equipment worth around £580m to Africa. This is about 7.5% of their total global export volume.

“Nigeria in particular is one of the largest markets with a volume of around £114m. The figures reflect the growing demand for processed and packaged foods and beverages. Reasons for this is the increasing prosperity and growing consumption of the population, but also the effort to expand the added value in the processing of foods”.

Clemens who led the first business delegation of the VDMA visit to Nigeria, disclosed that the Organization, will in the next few days, present their expertise and experience in the sector.

He added that as the world community is facing huge challenges, supplying people with unspoiled, healthy food and clean water, is an area that VDMA has provided interventions to different markets.

“The question is how to accomplish this for the predicted world popluation of 9.5billion people in 2050. The public debate goes into many directions, but one aspect is rarely mentioned: the technology needed to ensure the supply.

“I am firmly convinced that the German Manufacturers of food processing and packaging machinery, as well as water and wastewater technology, can make a major contribution here,” he stressed.

On her part, Jennifer Anoyika, chief operating officer, Nigeria-German Business Association (NGBA), told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the Association was delight over the delegates visit and advised local farmers to rally around their Corporative Societies to leverage opportunities presented by the VDMA equipments.

“We are proud to support the VDMA during their stay in Nigeria,” she said, hinting that through the provisions agricultural produce wastages shall be tackled squarely.

Olaf Wehrstedt, director, Packaging Technology and Sales Coordinator for BOSCH, added that the investors are ready to bring expertise into the sector by training young Nigerians on how to man the technologies.

According to him, VDMA is interested in technology transfer that will alleviate the sufferings of local farmers.

Andre Ronne, AHK delegate in Nigeria, said that agriculture is the primary means of diversifying the country’s economy to remain steadfast on the Continent.

He said, although, the nation’s economy was recently debased, but the agriculture and manufacturing industries must be empowered for more development.