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In furtherance of the Ministry’s production of 2000 tractors annually to enhance mechanised farming to boost food production and nutrition security, job creation among others, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with John Deere, an agricultural machinery company to expand productivity in the sector.
Speaking during the signing and exchange of documents, in the minister’s conference room, in Abuja recently, the Kyari recalled that it was a follow-up to the meeting between Nigeria’s Vice President Ibrahim Shettima, and top officials of John Deere at the recent World Food Prize Foundation held in lowa, USA.
Sen Kyari stated the strategic partnership aims to establish a tractor plant in Nigeria reflecting the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising agriculture and promoting self-sufficiency in food production.
He highlighted the multifaceted benefits of this initiative, including increased food production, employment opportunities and advancement in the nation’s food and nutrition.
The Minister revealed that JohnDeere, is leading the development and manufacturing of agricultural machinery with over 186 year- history with good brand name that had been in the forefront of agriculture and food production.
He added that John Deere (Asia Private Limited) had the experience and record, noting that the company would train artisans on how to operate the achinery.
He stated that when operational, government would not off-take the tractors but provide the enabling environment to make them affordable at low-interest rate to Nigerian farmers and boost all-year round farming.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, stated that it was an epoch making event as he recalled it was the outcome of the Minister’s visit to Vice President for the World Food Prize Foundation event when they engaged with John Deere to come to Nigeria to set up an assembly plant to produce tractors to farmers at affordable rate.
In his words, “Everyone is excited about it and to put pen to paper today is a realization of that promise, getting the MoU signed, other activities would follow with implementation”.
Dr. Umakhihe added that the MoU was generic and would usher in more MoU’s and guidelines on implementing the agreement reached.
In his remarks, the Vice President of John Deere, Jason Braintley noted that the agreement signifies a shared vision among the parties involved to scale up proven practices in Nigeria.
He emphasized the importance of matching the right implements with the right tractor in specific areas considering the diverse conditions across the country.
