In line with its determination to boost agricultural productivity and improve food production, the Federal Government says it is ready to train 819 tractor operators and mechanics to equip them with broad knowledge, practical skill in handling agricultural machinery.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Peter Temitope Fashedemi, disclosed this during a two Day Stakeholders Workshop on the Review of Draft National Agricultural Mechanization Policy Document held in Abuja, recently.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented at the event by the Director, Department of Policy and Planning Coordination, Mr Ibrahim Tanimu, stated that the trainees would be trained at the Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centre (AMMOTRAC) at Akure and Misau respectively.
He said, “The training will deepen their knowledge and provide strong ground in Agricultural Mechanization Technology with excellent practical experience.’’
The Permanent Secretary stated that agricultural mechanization would provide technological inputs, increase and expand productivity through efficient, cost effective as well as sustainable strategies.
According to him, “There is no national policy on agricultural mechanization in Nigeria, the development of this mechanization policy comes at a critical time when the government is exploring various avenues to procure agricultural equipment amid low agricultural output.
“The significance of the national policy in Agricultural mechanization is to attain food security, livelihood security, strong export – push and import substitution components’’.
Mr. Fashedemi assured that implementation of the policy will create an enabling environment for vibrant agricultural mechanization activities, and lead to increase in productivity, improved food security, and higher income for farmers.
He also revealed that the Ministry will seek to reinvigorate mechanization deployment through the engagement of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as John Deere/Tata, Belarus tractor, Greener Hope Initiative Programme and Green Imperative Programme (GIP) to provide 32,500 Units of tractors with implements, and other assorted machinery for the next five years. “This will provide the fulcrum and stimulate the youths and women into agricultural production in Nigeria,’’ He said.
In his remarks, Representative of the Origin Tech Group, Dr Olasupo Musa stated that the organization had organized capacity training for 5,000 youths in equipment handling and repairs as well as establishment of 150,000 hectares of medium and large scale farms nationwide.
He also pledged continuous support for the mechanization programme in line with the present administration’s policy in the agriculture sector.
In attendance were various stakeholders in the agriculture sector such as John Deere/Tata, Belarus tractor, Greener Hope Initiative Programme, and Green Imperative Programme (GIP)