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By Chinyere Anyanwu, [email protected]
The Federal Government has revealed plans to launch a comprehensive mechanisation plan aimed at boosting the productivity of the country’s agricultural sector and ultimately achieving food security.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who made the revelation recently, stated that the plan aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s economic revitalisation agenda using mechanisation agriculture to drive the initiative. Nigeria currently faces challenges in mechanisation, lagging behind other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the country has only 0.27 tractors per 1,000 hectares of cropland in contrast to 4.7 in South Africa and 2.7 in Ghana.
Kyari said the new mechanisation plan will address the disparity and elevate Nigeria’s agricultural practices.
At the close of the implementation review and preparatory meeting for the second phase of the 2023-2024 dry-season farming in Abuja, the minister expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting the mechanisation programme.
He emphasised that the Federal Government remains dedicated to ensuring robust and sustainable production of staple food commodities nationwide.
Kyari highlighted the reliance on traditional tools such as hoes, stating that, “Mr. President is going to give us all the support for mechanisation, and we will soon roll out the mechanisation programme.”
The announcement was made in the presence of Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi.
Kyari stressed the need for stakeholders to collaborate with state governments to establish a genuine farmers’ register, facilitating the smooth implementation of the subsidised forthcoming dry-season farming.
On his part, Bagudu commended the ongoing dry-season farming, noting that it underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector.
He emphasised the president’s dedication to keeping promises, saying, “today for us is a day of joy that we have yet again demonstrated that the president is a promise keeper.”
Also speaking, Edun highlighted the diverse ecosystem of stakeholders coming together to discuss and implement agricultural growth schemes. He expressed confidence that the efforts would lead to a successful dry season harvest, contributing to increased food supply, lower food prices, poverty alleviation, job creation and overall economic stability.
