THE STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT FABRICATION INDUSTRY IN EKITI AND ONDO STATES

Abstract

A survey study to establish the status of agricultural equipment fabrication industries was pain-stakenly carried out in Ekiti and Ondo States of Nigeria which are acknowledge agrarian states. The study assessed information on such items as type of equipment fabricated, scale of production, source and level of funding source of power supply, type of equipment used in fabrication, problems associated with fabrication of agricultural equipment and their future prospects for large scale production. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics (frequencies and' percentages). The student t-test was used to compare some of the data obtained from the two states for Jest of significance. Correlation statistics was also used to express the degree of I association between the variables. The results obtained revealed that:- Three categories of manufactures namely,' Road side/ cottage (76%), small scale (18%); and established, manufacturers (6%), were involved in fabrication of agricultural equipment in Ondo and Ekiti States. Furthermore, about, 60 different types of agricultural equipment are being fabricated in Ekiti and Ondo States. An inventory of such fabricated equipment was compiled, indicating equipment type, mode of production, form of ownership etc. Based on the results, it was concluded that the most common and effective agricultural equipment fabrication industries in Ekiti and Ondo State is Road-side/cottage manufacturer. A lot of the agricultural equipment such as land preparation, spraying and harvesting equipment are not being produced in the area under investigation. Moreover, majority of the fabrication personnel are literate of half-literate but are not properly trained in the art of equipment fabrication. In the recommendations government were advised to pay more attention to Road-side/Cottaqe Manufacturers especially in relation to possible creation of centers where the manufacturers will have access to relevant technical, infrastructures and administrative facilities. Also to provide soft loan and other logistics to the equipment fabricators. Furthermore, the equipment fabricators were advised to expose themselves to new scientific and technical developments so as to sustain developments of their capacities. They should also document their design parameters with a view to ascertain performance specifications, machine life, esthetics and cost effectiveness in manufacturing. It is believed that if agricultural equipment fabrication industries in Ekiti and Ondo states could be improved and more workshops are established this will in turn reduce unemployment and rural-urban migration among young school leavers. The economy of the states will also be improved.