Corps member launches manual seed planter, fertiliser applicator for farmers in Zumba community
Mrs Rachael Nneka-Nwaugo, corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has manual seed planter and fertiliser applicator designed to ease farming activities for farmers in the Zumba community and environs of Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State.
Racheal Nneka-Nwaugo, the innovator of the project and a corps member with service number NG/24C/311, is serving at North-South Power (NSP), operators of the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Speaking during the launching of the project on Thursday in Zumba, she explained that the project was part of her Community Development Service (CDS) initiative, initiated to reduce labour requirements on farms and enhance crop yield through simple agricultural technology.
Nneka-Nwaugo, who studied Agriculture and Bio-Environmental Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa State, said she was inspired by the challenges she observed among farmers in Zumba and surrounding communities.
She noted that many farmers suffer from back and waist pains due to the constant bending required during planting.
According to her, the new manual seed planter and fertiliser applicator enable farmers to plant and apply fertiliser while standing upright, thereby improving comfort and efficiency.
The corps member added that the innovation ensures accurate seed placement, speeds up planting, and allows farmers to cultivate more crops within a shorter period.
“With these equipment, the labour of farmers is significantly reduced and yields are improved,” she said.
She encouraged farmers interested in acquiring the implements to contact the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) department of NSP, adding that the tools can be maintained like regular farm equipment through proper cleaning after use.
Nneka-Nwaugo also disclosed plans to train other corps members studying agriculture to produce the equipment in the future, ensuring continuity of the project beyond her service year.
The Chief Operating Officer of NSP, Mr Chioke Ugochukwu, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, commended the corps member for pioneering such an initiative in the community.
Represented by Mr Jimoh Lasis, Head of Human Resources at NSP, Ugochukwu said the innovation supports Niger State’s efforts to enhance food security.
He further highlighted that the equipment helps farmers maintain an upright posture while planting and applying fertiliser, thereby reducing physical strain and improving farm-level efficiency.
Also speaking, Dr. Sam Esumeh, Consultant on Public Relations to NSP and Guest Speaker at the event, praised Nneka-Nwaugo for her dedication, noting that the project would bring significant benefits to the entire community.
He announced that 100 units each of the seed planter and fertiliser applicator would be supplied to farmers in Zumba.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Martins Uzor, said the equipment was being demonstrated free of charge to enable farmers learn how to use it effectively.
He described agriculture as a strategic choice for the community due to the enormous arable land available in Niger State.
The Ward Head of Zumba, Malam Musa Umaru, expressed gratitude to the corps member for introducing the innovation.
He noted that the tools would make planting and fertiliser application easier, faster, and less stressful for farmers.
Umaru pledged that the community would sensitise farmers to adopt the new equipment to boost agricultural productivity.
The event featured demonstration of how to use the manual planter and applicator by Racheal Nneka Nwaugo.
