The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the recruitment of 819 young individuals for training as tractor operators and mechanics, a move aimed at enhancing mechanized farming and reinforcing food security nationwide. This initiative was unveiled by Temitope Fashedemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, during a two-day workshop held in Abuja dedicated to formulating the National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy. The workshop convened a diverse group of stakeholders including policymakers, agricultural experts, industry leaders, representatives from farmers’ associations, and development partners. Fashedemi’s remarks highlighted a significant gap in Nigeria’s agricultural mechanization, noting that despite the government’s investment in over 30,000 agricultural machines, the country struggles with fewer than 5,000 functional tractors.
Fashedemi, while addressing participants at the workshop through Ibrahim Tanimu, the ministry’s Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, emphasized the critical need for effective mechanization to tackle the country’s food production challenges. He commended President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to collaborate with agricultural equipment manufacturers like John Deere and Belarus Tractors, as well as the Green Imperative Programme, to introduce an additional 32,500 tractors over the next five years. The recruitment and training of 819 tractor operators and mechanics is a strategic step toward creating a skilled workforce capable of utilizing these machines effectively and sustainably. Fashedemi underscored that Nigeria currently lacks a cohesive policy on agricultural mechanization, making the development of this new policy even more pressing as the nation seeks to enhance agricultural output.
The government envisions that the implementation of the proposed agricultural mechanization policy will foster a vibrant environment conducive to mechanized farming activities. Fashedemi expressed confidence that it would lead to increased productivity, improved food security, and better income opportunities for farmers. He elaborated that the training program aims to equip participants with extensive practical skills and knowledge about operating and maintaining farm machinery. Special emphasis is placed on including youths and women in this training initiative, thereby promoting inclusivity in the agricultural sector.
Supporting the initiative, Frank Kudla, the Director of the Federal Department of Rural Development, highlighted the importance of adapting traditional agricultural methods by incorporating modern technology. As chair of the policy draft committee, Kudla affirmed that the proposed mechanization policy results from extensive research and consultations. He recognized agriculture as the foundation of Nigeria’s economy but noted the pressing necessity for its evolution to meet the requirements of a rapidly expanding population. The transformation, according to Kudla, hinges on the adoption of mechanization and modern innovations in farming practices.
Kudla further articulated that the policy not only seeks to augment the adoption of mechanized farming but also aspires to empower farmers with the requisite tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to compete effectively in the global agricultural market. The draft policy aims to tackle several critical areas, including access to machinery, training opportunities, financial resources, and sustainable agricultural practices. Collectively, stakeholders at the workshop expressed commitment to building a robust and mechanized agricultural sector in Nigeria.
In conclusion, the Federal Government’s recruitment drive for new tractor operators and mechanics signifies a noteworthy step towards improving agricultural productivity through mechanization. The establishment of a comprehensive National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy is expected to facilitate a systematic approach to modernizing the sector. By training future operators and mechanics, the government aims to ensure that the necessary skills are available to harness the potential of the new machinery effectively and sustainably. The commitment of various stakeholders in this initiative reflects a united front in tackling food security challenges and enhancing agricultural output to support Nigeria’s burgeoning population.
