By Awwal Umar Kontagora President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural transformation with the l...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural transformation with the launch of over 2,000 tractors and other mechanised farming equipment under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme.
Speaking at the official commissioning ceremony, President Tinubu said the initiative—anchored on a Nigeria-Belarus partnership—is a significant leap toward modernising agriculture, enhancing food security, and creating employment across the country.
According to the President, the federal government procured over 2,000 tractors, 50 industrial land preparation machines, 12 fully equipped mobile workshops, 8,000 ploughs, and other advanced implements. He noted that the full deployment of these tools is expected to cultivate more than 5 million hectares of farmland nationwide.
"This intervention will not only revolutionise our agricultural sector but also create massive job opportunities, increase food production, and support our farmers in transitioning from crude to modern farming techniques," Tinubu stated.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described the procurement and deployment as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural development.
The event was also attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, Victor Karankevich, who applauded the Tinubu administration for its commitment to agricultural progress and the successful implementation of the bilateral partnership.
Among the notable dignitaries present was Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, popularly referred to as the "Farmer Governor," who joined President Tinubu at the unveiling and inspection of the equipment.
The initiative, regarded as the largest agricultural mechanisation drive in Nigeria’s history, is a multi-billion-dollar project formalised in September 2024 through a strategic agreement between Nigeria and Belarus.
The tractors—assembled in Abuja—are accompanied by 9,072 assorted farming implements tailored to support various agricultural operations nationwide.
To ensure equitable access and optimal use, the Federal Government announced three distribution models for the equipment:
Direct Purchase – for individuals and organisations seeking full ownership.
Leasing Scheme – to make mechanisation affordable and accessible.
Service Provider Model – to establish tractor service hubs in farming communities, allowing smallholder farmers to lease equipment as needed.
In addition to the mechanisation project, President Tinubu, alongside Governor Bago and other dignitaries, also inaugurated the Baban Shada/Pai Road in the Federal Capital Territory—constructed as part of efforts to boost rural infrastructure and agricultural logistics.
The Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme is seen as a key driver in President Tinubu's broader strategy to combat food insecurity, modernise Nigeria’s agriculture sector, and empower farmers across the nation.
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