The Federal Government has begun recruiting 819 young Nigerians for training as tractor operators and mechanics in a bid to boost mechanised farming and strengthen food security across the nation. This ambitious initiative was announced by Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, at a recent workshop in Abuja dedicated to drafting a National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy. The two-day workshop brought together policymakers, agricultural experts, industry stakeholders, farmers’ associations, and development partners to outline the policy’s framework and objectives.
Represented by the ministry’s Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, Ibrahim Tanimu, Fashedemi highlighted the dire state of agricultural machinery in Nigeria, noting that despite past investments in over 30,000 machines, fewer than 5,000 tractors remain operational today. To address this gap, the government has committed to supplying an additional 32,500 tractors over the next five years with support from President Bola Tinubu and partnerships with equipment manufacturers, including John Deere, Belarus Tractors, and the Green Imperative Programme.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that this shortage of functional equipment has spurred the ministry to initiate the training program for 819 tractor operators and mechanics at training centers in Akure and Misau. “The creation of this mechanisation policy,” he explained, “is essential to foster a more robust mechanised farming sector, which will ultimately drive productivity, enhance food security, and raise incomes for farmers across Nigeria.” The training initiative aims to equip participants, including youth and women, with essential skills in operating and maintaining agricultural machinery, a critical component of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation goals.
During the workshop, Frank Kudla, Director of the Federal Department of Rural Development and chair of the policy draft committee, underscored the importance of this policy in modernizing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. Kudla stressed that agriculture remains the foundation of the Nigerian economy but must evolve from traditional methods to mechanised, technology-driven practices to support a rapidly growing population.
“This transformation,” Kudla noted, “relies heavily on the adoption of mechanisation and innovation. Our policy aims not only to promote mechanised farming but also to empower farmers with the tools, knowledge, and resources required to thrive in a competitive global market.” He added that the draft policy reflects extensive research and consultations, addressing key areas such as access to machinery, training, financing, and sustainable practices.
The proposed mechanisation policy comes at a critical juncture, with the Nigerian government exploring multiple strategies to procure agricultural equipment amidst low agricultural output. Through this initiative, the government envisions a dynamic agricultural sector that leverages modern machinery to improve productivity, reduce labor intensity, and empower a new generation of farmers.
The policy marks a step towards establishing a supportive environment for mechanised farming, with the goal of creating a sustainable and resilient food system in Nigeria. This shift is expected to not only meet the country’s food demands but also bolster Nigeria’s position in the global agricultural market.
