From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government has said it would ensure the manufacturing of 2,000 tractors to boost food production.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, stated this at the weekend in Abuja, when he received in the audience a delegation from John Deere led by its Vice President, Jason Braintley.
Kyari, who said about 2,000 tractors were projected to be produced locally, noted that making tractors available and accessible in the country would enhance food production, create jobs for farmers, and achieve food and nutrition security in the country.
He further disclosed that “the visit 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.
“When produced, the government would not off-take the tractors but provide the enabling environment to make the tractors affordable at a low-interest rate to Nigerian farmers and boost all-year round farming.”
Also, Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, said that the government had initiated some measures that will help to identify genuine farmers who need the tractors.
Also Speaking, the Vice President of John Deere, Jason Braintley said his team was in Nigeria to understudy the business climate to determine the extent of their collaboration with Nigeria’s government.
Abdullahi, also, added that his company would be open for ” hiring, acquisition and production, in addition to after-sales services, supply of genuine spare parts and training of operators and mechanics.
“The capacity of the tractors would range between 75 and 90 horse-power for use in different terrains in the country.”