FG Trains 300 Tractor Operators, Mechanics to Boost Food Production

News in brief:

-Over 300 Nigerians trained in tractor operation and maintenance to strengthen mechanised farming and boost food production.

-Initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda to create jobs, modernize agriculture, and reduce dependence on imports.

Nigeria is taking another bold step towards solving its food crisis by training more than 300 tractor operators and mechanics in mechanised farming. The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), is part of the government’s strategy to move the nation away from small-scale subsistence farming and into modern, large-scale food production.

Speaking at the training programme held at the Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centre (AMMOTRAC), Akure, Minister Abubakar Kyari explained that the project forms part of the government’s Renewed Hope Initiative.

“The South, with over 70 million hectares of arable land and a favourable climate, has the potential not only to feed Nigeria but also to contribute to global food security. The key to unlocking this potential is mechanisation,” he said, in remarks delivered on his behalf by Mrs Temitope Alao, the ministry’s South-West Regional Head.

Why Mechanisation Matters

At present, most Nigerian farmers still rely on traditional tools like hoes and cutlasses. According to the minister, an average farmer cultivates less than 1.5 hectares of land using these outdated methods, which cannot meet the country’s food demand.

Mechanised farming, which uses tractors, harvesters, and modern equipment, has long been the driver of agricultural success in developed countries. With Nigeria’s food inflation hitting record highs, experts argue that increasing mechanisation is critical to improving productivity, reducing food imports, and empowering rural communities.

“Youths in the country should embrace modern farming as a vocation because they are the architects of agriculture’s future,” Kyari urged.

The training covered both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical sessions on operating and maintaining tractors. According to the ministry, the programme is designed not only to produce skilled tractor operators but also mechanics who can keep machines in good working condition for farmers.

Dr Marcus Ogunjobi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, described the training as a strategic investment in human capacity.

“Tractors and their implements are the workhorses of agricultural transformation. Without them, moving from subsistence to efficient, competitive agriculture is impossible. This manual and training will equip participants to operate and maintain tractors safely, efficiently, and profitably,” Ogunjobi said.

Aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda

The training is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises agriculture as a tool to drive food security, job creation, and sustainable development.

By empowering youths with technical skills and encouraging modern farming, the government hopes to close Nigeria’s food production gap and reduce its heavy dependence on imports.

For farmers across Nigeria, this training signals a clear shift: the future of agriculture will not be powered by cutlasses and hoes, but by tractors, technology, and skilled manpower.