NADF’s 10,000-tractor deployment will boost jobs, enterprise – Tinubu

By Felicia Imohimi

President Bola Tinubu says the planned deployment of 10,000 tractors by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) will strengthen enterprise development, create jobs and accelerate food production across Nigeria.

Tinubu stated this in his Democracy Day message on Friday in Abuja, where he outlined agriculture as a central pillar of his administration’s economic recovery and growth strategy.

He said ongoing investments in infrastructure and agricultural mechanisation were aimed at improving productivity, linking farmers to markets and expanding economic opportunities along the agricultural value chain.

“Agriculture remains central to this administration’s economic recovery and growth strategy.

“Investments in infrastructure and mechanisation help in connecting producers to markets and create opportunities across the value chain,” he said.

He added that the administration remained committed to reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs and improving living standards in spite of prevailing economic challenges.

According to him, infrastructure development across the country is also supporting agricultural productivity and enterprise growth.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NADF has begun implementation of a large-scale mechanisation programme involving the deployment of 10,000 tractors over five years, beginning with an initial procurement of 2,000 John Deere tractors.

The initiative forms part of a $70 million agreement signed with AGCOMS International Trading Limited for the supply of tractors and complementary equipment to support modern farming.

The Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the programme followed approval from the Federal Executive Council and extensive negotiations with equipment manufacturers and stakeholders.

He said the initiative was designed not only to provide tractors but also to build a sustainable mechanisation system that includes local assembly, maintenance capacity and technical training.

According to him, arrangements are underway with the Nigerian Ports Authority to provide space for assembly operations, which will support distribution across the country.

He added that the project also includes training and certification of technicians to ensure long-term sustainability and improved access to modern farming equipment.

The Country Director of AGCOMS International Trading Limited, Chijioke Okoli, said the initiative was conceived as a full mechanisation programme rather than a simple procurement exercise.

He explained that the company would establish local assembly facilities, train Nigerian youths and technicians, and provide after-sales support to ensure effective implementation.

Okoli said the presence of an assembly plant would allow local participants to gain practical experience in tractor assembly, operation and maintenance.

He added that the programme would also include complementary equipment such as ridgers, harrowers and combine harvesters to support large-scale agricultural production.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would greatly expand cultivated farmland, reduce dependence on manual labour and improve overall agricultural productivity in the country.

(NAN) www.nannews.ng

FUA/TAK

Edited by Tosin Kolade