The Nigerian government is committed to revolutionise the agriculture sector, achieve food sovereignty, boost farming productivity and ensure food and nutrition security.
President of the country, Bola Tinubu at the launch of 2,000 tractors, implements, and equipment for mechanized farming, in Abuja, said his government is intent on transforming Nigeria’s agriculture sector by modernising farming practices and ensuring national food security and the fulfillment of his promise to provide immediate and innovative solutions to challenges in the country’s agricultural sectors.
Recognising that agricultural productivity is synonymous with national stability and food sovereignty, he said the ability to feed the country forms the bedrock of a prosperous nation.
“Our ambition extends beyond mere self-sufficiency. That’s why we took a bold decision to establish this new agricultural mechanisation programme. We are just beginning, the President was quoted in a press statement issued by the Agricultural and Food Security Ministry on Tuesday.
“We envision Nigeria as a global agricultural powerhouse—supplying quality produce to international markets while ensuring every citizen can access affordable, nutritious food.
Mr. Tinubu said the 2,000 tractors, implements and equipment will be distributed across the country through a service-provider model to support smallholder farmers with access to modern equipment, reduce manual labour, and increase yields.
“We must seize this opportunity to achieve agricultural independence. Nigeria has the land, the people, and the tools. Let history recall this day as the beginning of Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance—where modern technology met our farmers’ legendary resilience to usher in greater prosperity”, Mr. Tinubu added.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari revealed that on July 13, 2023, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security and issued a presidential directive for urgent and innovative solutions.He noted that mechanisation was placed at the core of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Kyari outlined four key initiatives launched under the Tinubu administration’s mechanisation policy, including the John Deere Tractorisation Programme, the Greener Hope Project, the Green Imperative Programme, and the newly launched 2000 tractors procured from Belarus.
According to him, the Belarus Project, implemented in collaboration with AfTrade DMCC and supported by the Republic of Belarus, delivered 2,000 high-quality tractors, 10 combine harvesters, 12 mobile workshops, 9,000 implements, and 9,000 spare part kits.
“Never in Nigeria’s history have we witnessed an agricultural mechanisation initiative of this scale, ambition, and national focus. We are today unveiling the single largest mechanisation drive ever undertaken in our country,” the minister said.
Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, Viktor Karenkevich, congratulated the Nigerian leader and the people of Nigeria for initiating a strategic and timely intervention to strengthen national food security. He described President Tinubu’s choice of Belarus as a trusted partner in the supply of agricultural machinery as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two countries.
He noted that Belarusian equipment is known for quality, affordability, and durability and is present in over 100 countries worldwide.He affirmed Belarus’ readiness to move into the second and third phases of the programme. He said the phases include establishing service and maintenance centres for Belarusian machinery in Nigeria, setting up local assembly plants for agricultural equipment, constructing grain storage complexes, and training Nigerians to operate and maintain advanced farming machinery.