Agric Mechanization Research

Engr. Dr. Aminu Saleh

Engr. Dr. Aminu Saleh started his working experience with the Katsina State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources as a Higher Agricultural Superintendent after the mandatory one year National Service in 1989. He transferred his service to the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin.in June 1993 as a Principal Technical Officer II/Farm Manager and later Workshop Manager (Field Machinery Research and Production Workshop). Dr. Saleh rose through the ranks to Chief Agricultural Engineer until July 2017 when he transferred his service to the Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he took appointment as a Senior Lecturer/Researcher. He was the Coordinator of the Departmental Postgraduate Program and a member, University Quality Assurance Committee, member, Faculty of Engineering Regulation and Irregularities Committee (FERIC). Faculty of Engineering Coordinator, Student Work Experience Programme (SWEP), Coordinator, Field Practical Training (FPT), Faculty of Agriculture.

Dr. Saleh served as an external examiner in the Department of Agricultural Bio-Environmental Engineering of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and Resource Person in the Curriculum Development for Professional Technicians, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Engr. Saleh is also an Editor/Reviewer of several national and International Journals. These include Journal of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (JAET), Elsevier journal , Springer, Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH), Nigerian Journal of Engineering, Nigerian Journal of Scientific Research, Journal of Engineering and Technology (FUOYEJET), Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics and Sociology, International Journal of Plant and Soil Science, International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, Tropical Agriculture and Development, Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, and Algerian Journal of Engineering and Technology, among others. Dr. Saleh is a facilitator, invited speaker and a resource person to several Agricultural and Educational Institutions.

Dr. Saleh obtained Masters of Technology and PhD degrees in Agricultural Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. He is also a members of several profession organizations. These include: Nigeria Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE), Nigeria Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and American Society of Biological Engineers (ASABE), International Soil Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO-Nigeria), among others. He has attended several workshops, local and international conferences. Dr. Saleh has published eighty two (82) peer reviewed journal articles and twenty six (26) official conference proceedings. Engr. Saleh also served as Ag. Head, Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering on several occasions. He is currently a Representative of Senate – Professional and Academic Board, Iya Abubakar Institute of Information and Communication Technology, ABU – Zaria.

INTRODUCTION

The Programme has as its broad objective the development and evaluation of appropriate technologies for production and post-harvest operations of Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) mandate crops in North West Agro-Ecological Zone. The programme has three Sub - Programmes to achieve its broad, namely Machinery/Techniques Evaluation, Machinery/Technique Development and Machinery Management.

OUR VALUES

To make Nigeria become self-sufficient in Agricultural Mechanization Technology at all level of Agricultural Development.

LEADERSHIP/HEADSHIP

Name of Programme Leaders	Department	Year
Prof. R.N. Kaul	Agric Engineering	1974 - 1994
Dr. M.A. Ali	Agric Engineering	1994 – 1996
Dr. M.L. Suleiman	Agric Engineering	1996 – 2004
Dr. D.D. Yusuf	Agric Engineering	2004 – 2008
Prof. A.M. I. El-Okene	Agric Engineering	2009 – 2013
Prof. M. Isiaka	Agric Engineering	2013 – 2017
Engr. Mohammed Abubakar	Agric Engineering	2017 – Date
Engr. Mansir A. Shehu	Agric Engineering	2019 - 2024
Engr. Dr. Aminu Saleh	Agric Engineering	2024 – Date

GOAL

To minimize Human Labour in Agricultural Development and Optimize Mechanization Technology Capacity, Efficiency and Sustainability.

OBJECTIVES

Field Production Machinery Development,
Postharvest Machinery Development,
Renewable Energy Resource Development
Agricultural Machinery Evaluation
Agricultural Machinery Management

The specific objectives of the Prgramme are:

Machinery/Technique Evaluation: we undertake evaluation of agricultural equipment developed in Nigeria or imported and make recommendations on their suitability or otherwise in the ecological area under focus.
Machinery/Technique Development:

The following research activities are carried out under this objective:

Design, fabricate and evaluate new machines and equipment suitable for Nigerian farmers with emphasis on small and medium scale farmers’ needs.
Identify and modify existing commercial equipment to suit local needs and conditions.
Develop equipment for harnessing alternative sources of energy.

Machinery Management: In Machinery Management, we engage in survey of existing management practices on farm equipment, and equally research into optimizing machinery management.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

RESEARCH QUALITY CONTROL COMMITTEE

Abubakar, M.

El-Okene, A. M.

Programme Leader

Agric. Engineering Department

Suleiman, M. L.

Agric Mechanization Research