FG to Train 819 Tractor Operators, Mechanics, Develop Mechanization Policy
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has announced plans to train 819 tractor operators and mechanics as part of efforts to boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Peter Temitope Fashedemi, disclosed this during a two-day stakeholders’ workshop on the review of the draft National Agricultural Mechanization Policy, held recently in Abuja.
Represented by Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, Director of the Department of Policy and Planning Coordination, Mr. Fashedemi emphasized the importance of agricultural mechanization in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges.
He explained that the training would be conducted at the Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centres (AMMOTRAC) in Akure and Misau, equipping participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills in agricultural machinery.
“The training will deepen their knowledge and provide a strong foundation in agricultural mechanization technology with excellent practical experience,” Fashedemi stated. He added that mechanization offers technological inputs to increase productivity, reduce costs, and ensure sustainability in agriculture.
Mr. Fashedemi also highlighted the absence of a national policy on agricultural mechanization, noting that the development of such a policy is critical as the government explores innovative ways to procure agricultural equipment amidst declining agricultural output. “The policy aims to achieve food security, improve livelihoods, and enhance export potential while reducing import dependency,” he remarked.
The Permanent Secretary revealed plans to collaborate with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as John Deere/Tata, Belarus Tractor, the Greener Hope Initiative, and the Green Imperative Programme to deploy 32,500 tractors and other machinery over the next five years. This initiative, he noted, would encourage youth and women participation in agriculture while driving mechanized farming in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Dr. Olasupo Musa, representing Origin Tech Group, announced that his organization had trained 5,000 youths in equipment handling and repairs and established 150,000 hectares of medium and large-scale farms nationwide. He pledged continued support for the government’s mechanization program, aligning with the administration’s agricultural policies.
The workshop was attended by stakeholders, including representatives from John Deere/Tata, Belarus Tractor, the Greener Hope Initiative, and the Green Imperative Programme, who collectively discussed strategies to advance agricultural mechanization in Nigeria.Peter Temitope Fashedemi