In a bid to modernize agriculture and enhance food security, the Federal Government of Nigeria has received 2,000 tractors from Belarus. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced this development on Monday, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to mechanized farming.
Speaking in a statement on Tuesday, Kyari highlighted the significance of the partnership between Nigeria and Belarus in advancing agricultural mechanization. “Nigeria has taken a significant step in its agricultural mechanization drive with the arrival of the first batch of 2,000 Belarus tractors. This milestone reaffirms the government’s commitment to modernizing agriculture, increasing productivity, and ensuring food security for all Nigerians,” he said.
The Minister further revealed that the shipment included 9,072 agricultural implements designed to support various farming operations nationwide. “Under this initiative, 2,000 tractors are being deployed, each complemented by 9,072 assorted agricultural implements designed to support different farming operations. The tractors come in four models tailored for different terrains and farming needs: 90-horsepower (2-wheel drive), 90-horsepower (4-wheel drive), 80-horsepower (2-wheel drive), and 80-horsepower (4-wheel drive). Each category consists of 500 units to ensure that farmers across the country have access to the appropriate machinery,” he explained.
To maximize accessibility and efficiency, the tractors will be distributed under three key schemes: outright purchase, leasing, and service provision. “The tractors will be made available through direct purchase for individuals and organizations, a leasing scheme to provide affordable mechanization without full ownership costs, and a service provider model that will establish tractor service centers in farming communities, allowing smallholder farmers to lease tractors as needed,” Kyari added.
The Minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing agricultural mechanization as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “This delivery is a direct fulfillment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing food security and rural economic growth. This is a case of ‘Promise Made, Promise Kept.’ Mr. President, the Farmer President of Nigeria, has once again demonstrated his commitment to delivering tangible results that will transform the lives of millions of Nigerians,” he stated.
The arrival of these tractors is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s agricultural sector, increasing productivity and reducing the country’s reliance on food imports while empowering local farmers with modern farming tools.
