FG Gears Up For Mechanised Farming Boost To Drive Food Production

***News in brief:*– Nigeria is intensifying efforts to boost food production through a comprehensive mechanisation program aimed at providing modern tools and machinery to farmers. – It will focus on the second phase of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket program for dry season wheat farming. The Tinubu-led administration is ramping up efforts to increase food production across the country by prioritising mechanisation in the sector, according to Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari. This initiative aligns with the president’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ that emphasises agricultural development as a cornerstone of economic growth and stability. Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday in Abuja, Kyari highlighted mechanisation as a key driver of agricultural productivity and pledged the government’s commitment to rolling out a comprehensive mechanisation program soon. This program will target equipping farmers with modern tools and machinery to improve efficiency, cultivate larger land areas, and ultimately bolster food output. The meeting also focused on the second phase of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) program, specifically geared towards dry season wheat farming. Kyari acknowledged challenges faced during the first phase, particularly difficulty for some farmers to cover their share of input costs. Recognising this hurdle, President Tinubu approved additional support to ease the burden on farmers in future interventions, fostering greater participation and success in the dry season farming initiative. The importance of agriculture as a bedrock of the national economy was echoed by other ministers present at the meeting. For example, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, higlighted agriculture’s critical role in reducing inflation, alleviating poverty, creating jobs, and ensuring overall economic stability, aligning with Tinubu’s agenda. Similarly, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, pledged further government interventions to support farmers and bolster the agricultural sector. Additionally, the President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kabir Ibrahim, lauded the government’s focus on mechanization, asserting its potential to accelerate the nation’s journey towards food security and self-sufficiency. It highlights the value of mechanized farming in overcoming current challenges and unlocking agricultural potential.