President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector, vowing to enhance its appeal and productivity by making modern equipment, particularly tractors, accessible to farmers.
Delivering his Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly, Tinubu declared, “We are making agriculture more sexy by providing tractors.”
For stakeholders along the agricultural value chain, this commitment is significant.
The push for mechanisation is seen not just as a necessity but as a transformative step, as reliance on basic tools like hoes in the 21st century signals a sector in urgent need of reform.
As part of the government’s broader strategy, the National Agricultural Development Fund had earlier in January entered into a $70 million agreement with Agcoms International Trading Limited, official dealers of John Deere.
The deal will see the supply of 2,000 units of agricultural machinery, including tractors, combine harvesters, ploughs, planters, and trailers.
More Read
Crucially, these machines will be assembled locally, a move aimed at boosting skills transfer, generating employment, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
This landmark procurement forms part of the 40 key achievements highlighted by the administration within its first two years in office. The President had initially referenced this initiative during his Independence Day 2024 broadcast.
“We are playing our part by supplying fertilizer and making tractors and other farm equipment available. Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment,” Tinubu had said.
Globally, mechanisation has proven to be a decisive factor in modernising agriculture. Countries like India have showcased the immense gains that can be made when ambitious policies are paired with strategic implementation.
In addition to agricultural reform, the President also used the opportunity to urge lawmakers to support legislation that promotes broader economic development, particularly in industrialisation and urban employment.
“I call on the legislature to join me as we enter the second quarter of our term to put forth innovative legislation that further encourages industrial development and job creation in our urban centers,” he said.