The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a significant recruitment drive to train 819 young Nigerians as tractor operators and mechanics, aiming to enhance mechanized farming and bolster food security throughout the country. This announcement was made by Temitope Fashedemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, during a two-day workshop focused on developing a National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy in Abuja. The workshop attracted various stakeholders, including policymakers, agricultural experts, representatives from farmers’ associations, industry leaders, and development partners, all gathered to address the urgent need for modernization in the agricultural sector.
Fashedemi highlighted a considerable issue within Nigeria’s agriculture, revealing that despite the acquisition of over 30,000 pieces of agricultural machinery in past years, the country currently has less than 5,000 functional tractors. This lack of effective machinery poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity and food security. To address this concern, he acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to collaborate with agricultural equipment manufacturers such as John Deere and Belarus tractors under the Green Imperative Programme, which aims to supply an additional 32,500 tractors over the next five years. This strategic partnership is a crucial step forward in revitalizing the agricultural machinery landscape in Nigeria.
The need for a national policy on agricultural mechanization is particularly pressing, according to Fashedemi. He pointed out that the country’s agricultural sector is at a critical juncture, struggling to procure adequate equipment amidst low agricultural output. The proposed mechanization policy is viewed as an essential framework to create a favorable environment for agricultural mechanization activities. By implementing this policy, the government hopes to foster increased agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and improve farmers’ income as they transition to more efficient farming practices.
Moreover, the training initiative aimed at educating 819 tractor operators and mechanics will specifically focus on equipping youths and women with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to effectively operate and maintain farm machinery. This effort is not only about increasing the number of skilled experts in the field but also about empowering these individuals with the capabilities to contribute substantially to Nigeria’s agricultural future. The training regimen is intended to enable participants to handle agricultural machinery proficiently, thereby supporting the broader objectives of the mechanization policy.
Support for the review of Nigeria’s agricultural mechanization policy was voiced by Frank Kudla, the director of the Federal Department of Rural Development and chair of the draft committee. He emphasized that the modernization of agriculture is not merely an option but a necessity, given the increasing demands of the population. Kudla articulated that to sustain agriculture as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, it is imperative to evolve from traditional farming methods towards adopting modern technologies and mechanization. His insights represent a consensus that without embracing innovation, the nation’s agricultural sector would struggle to meet future challenges.
Kudla further elucidated that the draft policy is the culmination of extensive research and consultations, designed to address critical aspects related to agricultural mechanization. This includes enhancing access to machinery, providing training, securing financing, and promoting sustainable farming practices. By offering farmers access to advanced tools and fostering a supportive infrastructure, the proposed policy aims to facilitate a dynamic and competitive agricultural sector in Nigeria. As participants at the workshop work to finalize the policy, there is a collective optimism that these strategies will usher in a new era of mechanized agriculture, ultimately transforming Nigeria’s food production landscape for greater economic resilience and sustainability.
