The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under the leadership of Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced on Wednesday the acquisition of 500 tractors from the John Deere Group adding that the delivery is expected by the end of May, 2024.
This initiative aims to promote mechanized farming, increase production, and ensure food and nutritional security.
As part of the Federal Government’s plan, the goal is to distribute 2,000 subsidized tractors annually to farmers across the country over the next five years. This program is designed to stimulate agricultural activities and solidify the nation’s food and nutritional security, directly addressing the president’s call for urgent action in this area.
According to a statement released by the ministry’s Acting Director of Information, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, John Deere is set to deliver the first 500 tractors by the end of May, with the remaining ones to follow in September 2024. Minister Kyari expressed confidence in John Deere’s ability to meet the target of delivering 2,000 tractors per year for the next five years.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing food and nutritional security through agricultural mechanization. He emphasized ensuring that the tractors remain accessible, available, and affordable to farmers of all scales throughout Nigeria.
On the matter of fertilizer distribution by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the ministry, Kyari disclosed the allocation of 2.15 million bags of assorted fertilizers, including NPK, Urea, and SSP, valued at over N100 billion, to Nigerian farmers to boost agricultural productivity.
He confirmed receiving the handover letter from the CBN and that the ministry will commence distribution of the various fertilizer types as soon as they gain access to the storage locations.
“We will swing into action as soon as we receive the locations, which I am sure are spread across the country,” he affirmed.