The federal government has received the first batch of 2,000 tractors from Belarus as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize Nigeria’s agricultural sector and enhance food security. The tractors, which have been assembled in Abuja, were procured under a mechanization partnership between Nigeria and Belarus, formalized in September 2024.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, hailed the development as a major step in fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s directive to transform agricultural activities nationwide. According to Kyari, mechanization is crucial to increasing productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring sustainable food production.
The initiative is not just about tractors—alongside the machinery, the agreement also includes the deployment of 9,072 assorted agricultural implements designed to support various farming operations. These tools will be essential in improving efficiency across different agricultural value chains, from land preparation to harvesting and post-harvest processing.
To ensure equitable access, the government has designed three distribution schemes:
– Direct Purchase:Individuals and organizations interested in owning tractors outright can acquire them through a government-facilitated purchase plan.
– Leasing Scheme:Farmers who cannot afford full ownership will have the option to lease tractors at subsidized rates, promoting access to mechanization without the high costs.
– Service Provider Model: This approach will establish tractor service centers in farming communities, where smallholder farmers can rent tractors as needed, ensuring widespread access to mechanized farming.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader agricultural transformation agenda, which seeks to reduce dependence on subsistence farming and expand commercial agriculture. Experts believe that increasing access to mechanization will help tackle the food crisis by improving crop yields, reducing labor-intensive farming methods, and making large-scale farming more feasible.
Nigeria’s agricultural sector has long struggled with low productivity due to heavy reliance on manual labor, outdated farming techniques, and inadequate access to modern equipment. The lack of mechanization has been a significant barrier to scaling up food production, contributing to rising food prices and shortages.
By introducing more tractors and mechanized farming tools, the government aims to boost agricultural output, making food more available and affordable for Nigerians. The initiative is also expected to create jobs, particularly for operators, mechanics, and technicians who will be involved in managing and maintaining the tractors and equipment.
While this is a significant step forward, stakeholders emphasize the need for additional support, including training for farmers on how to use modern machinery, infrastructure development, and access to credit facilities. Experts also stress that sustained investment in mechanization, irrigation, and storage facilities is essential to achieving long-term food security goals.
With this latest initiative, the government is hoping to bridge the gap between smallholder farmers and large-scale commercial agriculture, ensuring that mechanization becomes a key driver of Nigeria’s agricultural growth.
