Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister Pushes for 70,000 Tractors to Boost Food Security

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has recently emphasized the need for the country to acquire 70,000 tractors in order to improve food security and promote mechanised farming.

In a meeting with John Deere, a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery, the minister stressed the importance of expediting the process and finding out the reasons behind the delay in the delivery of 2,000 tractors as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in November 2023.

According to the minister, Nigeria has an estimated 35 million hectares of arable land, and he believes that the target of 70,000 tractors is crucial for the mechanisation of the agricultural sector.

This would not only enhance the productivity and income of farmers but also contribute to the overall food security of the nation.

In the meeting, Kyari acknowledged the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and urged stakeholders to support the vision of improving the sector, rather than being pessimistic about the obstacles.

He expressed confidence in the mechanisation program, stating that it is the right time and direction for the agricultural sector.

The minister also highlighted the urgency of the matter, as he aims to see the impact of the mechanisation program before the wet season arrives.

He emphasized the need to speed up the process and address any issues that may be causing delays in the delivery of the tractors.

With the potential to improve the agricultural sector, Nigeria’s push for 70,000 tractors is a crucial step towards achieving food security and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers.

The collaboration between the government, John Deere, and other stakeholders will be essential in realizing this ambitious goal and ensuring the success of the mechanisation program.