Stakeholders Outline 10,000 Tractors To Boost Agricultural Programs

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Agricultural stakeholders yesterday prioritised implementation initiatives for the agricultural mechanization of 10,000 tractors in the next five-year period to boost food production.

This workshop aims to address Nigeria’s mechanization gap through transformative initiatives, including the implementation of a mechanization program for 10,000 tractors over a five-year period in partnership with John Deere/TATA Africa Services.

Speaking earlier, Country Director for Nigeria, Heifer International, Lekan Tobe, highlighted that this initiative offers a unique opportunity to spotlight Nigeria’s efforts to enhance food security, drive national growth, and promote sustainable agriculture.

During the NADF-Heifer Nigeria Stakeholder Workshop on Mechanization in Abuja, Tobe emphasised that this workshop engaged stakeholders from the government, and development agencies, amongst others to develop a sustainable implementation framework for tractor deployment.

”He said our target is to boost farm productivity and national food security and explore funding opportunities in the mechanization space for our farmers at the local levels,” he said.

He stated that beyond just providing prospective prospects the essence was to harness the potentials of Nigerian youths who form the liveliest demography in the country.

He said that the initiative was to help them take up opportunities in agriculture, saying that, “And that we have been doing and this includes giving women opportunities to key into economic development.

“We believe that beyond providing catalytic funding or financing for that program, the other objective is to harness the potential that we have in our youth, who form the largest demography in our country.”

He further said this will help them to take up opportunities in agriculture and achieve the maximum in food production we have been doing and it’s paying off Including not just youth, but women also taking advantage, and key people of opportunity to drive the change that we’re looking for the benefits of all Nigerians.

He added, ”It is hoped that our meeting today will yield results that will not only solve today’s capital problems, or mechanization challenges but will pave the way for continuous engagement and improvement of agric production in the country.”

On his part the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, said NADF is committed to fostering collaborative frameworks that engage youth as drivers of agricultural transformation.

He continued: “This first phase of the initiative, which aims to assemble and deploy 2,000 John Deere tractors by Q2 2025, is an opportunity to create 2,000 models of mechanization success stories. By incorporating Key Performance Indicators and listening to stakeholders today, we are building an inclusive and sustainable path to modernize Nigerian agriculture.”

Delivering a presentation on tractor financing and operating models, Country Managing Director of Hello Tractor, Dr. Nneka Enwonwu, stressed the vital role of innovative financing in effective mechanization.

“Hello Tractor tackles the financial and operational hurdles that limit access to mechanization,” Dr. Enwonwu explained. “Our data-driven solutions, like the Pay-As-You-Go model and technology-enabled tracking, optimize tractor utilization and maintenance.”

She highlighted the company’s collaborative approach, emphasizing strategic partnerships and scalable solutions like mechanization hubs. These efforts are transforming how mechanization is approached across Africa.

Dr. Enwonwu concluded with a call to action: “Together, we can create a sustainable and inclusive system that empowers farmers, and youths, increases productivity, and fuels agricultural development in Nigeria and beyond.”

The workshop ended with actionable recommendations focused on three key areas. It emphasized strengthening collaborations between government, financial institutions, and private organizations. The importance of integrating technology, such as IoT and advanced solutions, for efficient tractor tracking and maintenance was also highlighted.

Additionally, the workshop recommended developing a long-term framework to ensure the availability of spare parts, training, and maintenance to support sustainable agricultural practices.

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) focuses on creating an enabling environment for agribusiness growth in Nigeria through policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement.