FG rolls out 2,000 tractors, farming equipments to drive agricultural mechanisation
By Azeez Sulaiman
The Federal Government has commenced the rollout of 2,000 tractors alongside more than 9,000 precision farming implements as part of a nationwide push to modernise agriculture and strengthen food security.
The distribution will begin in phases, starting with 600 tractors, followed by additional batches of 750 and 650 units respectively.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced the initiative in Abuja, describing it as the most ambitious mechanisation programme ever undertaken on the African continent.
According to him, the Renewed Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme is designed to transform Nigeria’s agricultural productivity landscape and close the country’s long-standing mechanisation gap.
“This is not just the deployment of equipment. It represents the beginning of a new era in agricultural productivity, aimed at ending years of low mechanisation density across the country," Kyari said.
Beyond the rollout, the minister disclosed that government plans are underway to establish a tractor assembly facility capable of producing between 2,000 and 4,000 tractors annually, in a bid to build local manufacturing capacity.
Kyari noted that the programme is projected to support over 1.2 million farmers and cover more than 1.5 million hectares of farmland each year.
He clarified that the tractors would not be handed over to individuals for private ownership, istead, they would be deployed through certified mechanisation service providers to ensure broader access and maximum usage.
“These tractors are entrusted to service providers. Each unit has the capacity to service approximately 600 hectares annually, effectively multiplying productivity across farming communities,” he explained. “
The Minister added that over 10,000 applications had already been received in the first phase, reflecting what he described as strong interest from stakeholders.
To ensure sustainability, each tractor will come with two years of free maintenance support, while mobile workshops and mechanisation centres will be established nationwide. Government also intends to set up seven mega mechanisation centres across strategic locations.
“We are not importing dependency; we are developing industrial capability,” Kyari stated.
He further disclosed that the programme is backed by a N50 billion agricultural finance facility supported by the World Bank, Heifer International and other technical partners.
The funding is expected to enhance access for smallholder farmers and strengthen agro-industrial value chains.
Encouraging participation, the Minister urged mechanisation service providers, youth entrepreneurs and women-led agribusinesses to take advantage of the opportunity.
“If you are cultivating 10,000 hectares using manual labour, it takes months. With mechanised systems, the same work can be completed within days, significantly improving output,” he said.
Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, said the initiative was structured to create a sustainable mechanisation ecosystem and avoid the pitfalls of previous programmes.
He revealed that demand had been overwhelming, with more than 10,000 applications submitted during the first phase.
“We are financing viable businesses, not simply distributing assets,” Sotinrin said, adding that each tractor must service at least 600 hectares annually to ensure commercial viability.
The Bank chief also explained that the programme would operate under structured financing models, including leasing frameworks, service-based repayments and partnerships with state governments and private operators.
According to him, the broader goal is to create a revolving investment model that expands access nationwide while ensuring long-term sustainability.
“This initiative signals a decisive move toward agricultural sovereignty. We are strengthening productivity, industrialising agriculture and securing the country’s food future,” Sotinrin added.