Nigeria to train 819 tractor operators, mechanics to boost food production
By Kunle Sanni
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has announced a plan to train 819 tractor operators and mechanics as part of a nationwide effort to enhance agricultural mechanization and increase food production.
This initiative was unveiled by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Peter Temitope Fashedemi, through the Director of Policy and Planning Coordination, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, at a recent workshop in Abuja.
The training will be held at the Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centres (AMMOTRAC) in Akure and Misau. Fashedemi noted that the program will equip trainees with practical skills in operating and maintaining agricultural machinery, aiming to boost efficiency and productivity on Nigerian farms.
“This training will deepen participants’ expertise in agricultural mechanization technology, giving them valuable hands-on experience,” Fashedemi stated.
The workshop also served as a platform to review Nigeria’s Draft National Agricultural Mechanization Policy. Fashedemi stressed that a robust mechanization policy is essential to improve agricultural output, drive food security, enhance exports, and strengthen local agriculture.
As part of the mechanization push, Fashedemi announced the ministry’s partnership with Original Equipment Manufacturers, including John Deere/Tata and Belarus Tractor, to supply 32,500 units of tractors and other machinery over the next five years. This influx of equipment, supported by the Greener Hope Initiative and Green Imperative Programme, aims to empower youth and women in agriculture.
Olasupo Musa, representing Origin Tech Group, expressed support for the program, highlighting that his organization has already trained 5,000 youths in equipment operation and helped establish 150,000 hectares of medium and large-scale farms across Nigeria.
The workshop brought together key agricultural stakeholders, including representatives from John Deere, Belarus Tractor, and various government-backed initiatives, to discuss strategies for advancing agricultural mechanization and supporting sustainable growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
