Food Security: Firm to Establish Tractor Manufacturing Factory in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A new manufacturing tractor company is to be established in Kwara state in the North Central zone of the country so as to address the yawning gap in farm mechanization in Nigeria and also to boost food security in the country.

The venture is in a strategic partnership with a foreign-based firm that has been in the business of tractor manufacturing since 2012, to develop the Nigerian factory that will use largely local content. It will be known as Vishvas KOZ Tractor Limited. 

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, the former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Community Development, Mr. Kayode Oyin-Zubair said the establishment of the tractor factory became necessary so as to design 

 a multi-prong approach particularly one that will utilize local contents

He said, “The venture is in a strategic partnership with a foreign-based firm that has been in the business of tractor manufacturing since 2012 to develop the Nigerian factory that will use largely local content. It will be known as Vishvas KOZ Tractor Limited”.

Oyin-Zubair said that renowned communication expert and former Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. 

Issa-Onilu has been at the forefront of providing succour to Nigerian farmers and rural dwellers, adding that his choice to chair the fledging company was well thought out.

“The yawning gap in farm mechanization in Nigeria deserves a multi-prong approach particularly one that will utilize local contents. Farmers in the remotest parts of the country are still finding it difficult to access farm tractors and other essential implements useful for both pre-planting and post-planting operations. Our foreign partner has a track record of more than one-decade participation in the designing, engineering and manufacturing of modern farm machinery. The Nigerian brands are KOZ 465 – 65hp and KOZ 475 – 75hp with various implements among others. 

“We take this opportunity to introduce ourselves as manufacturers and suppliers of agriculture solutions and also provide customized products as per demand including implements, spare parts material handling equipment. 

 Among the various product lines that we offer to our diverse customer segments line extends from concept to delivery including combined harvester strategic – baler, and silage harvester.