Democracy Day: Tinubu makes special announcement on food production

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President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that agriculture remains a key pillar of his administration’s economic recovery and development agenda.

The President made this known during his Democracy Day address, highlighting that ongoing investments in infrastructure and mechanisation are helping to connect farmers with markets while creating opportunities across various sectors of the agricultural value chain.

Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government, through the National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, plans to deploy 10,000 tractors across the country as part of efforts to boost enterprise growth, create jobs, and increase food production.

The President explained that the initiative forms part of broader measures aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural sector and strengthening national food security.

He also highlighted a series of economic reforms and interventions introduced by his administration to drive growth, improve livelihoods, and support productive sectors of the economy.

“Infrastructure projects across the nation are linking producers to markets and generating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is set to deploy 10,000 tractors over a five-year period.”

Tinubu further assured Nigerians that his administration remains focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating employment opportunities, and improving living conditions despite prevailing economic difficulties.

It would be recalled that the National Agricultural Development Fund recently signed a procurement agreement worth about $70 million with AGCOMS International Trading Limited for the supply of 2,000 John Deere tractors to farmers nationwide under the programme.

The agreement represents the first phase of a presidential directive mandating NADF to coordinate the deployment of 10,000 John Deere tractors across the country within the next five years.

Speaking during the contract signing ceremony, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, described the initiative as one of the Federal Government’s strategic programmes designed to modernise agriculture and improve productivity.

He explained that the project extends beyond tractor procurement and includes vital supporting equipment such as ridgers, harrowers, and combine harvesters required for large-scale farming operations.

Ibrahim stated that the agency secured approval from the Federal Executive Council, FEC, before engaging in extensive discussions with John Deere and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.

“We obtained the conveyance from the Federal Executive Council in October, and we have spent three months in rigorous and intensive negotiations with John Deere. We have also conducted stakeholder engagements,” he remarked.

According to Ibrahim, arrangements have already been concluded with the Nigerian Ports Authority for the allocation of land to establish an assembly facility that will support local assembly and nationwide distribution of the tractors.

He noted that the programme is expected to improve access to modern farming equipment while also stimulating industrial growth, enhancing technical expertise, and generating employment opportunities.

The Country Director of AGCOMS International Trading Limited, Chijioke Okoli, explained that the initiative was designed as a comprehensive mechanisation programme rather than a simple equipment procurement exercise.

Industry observers believe the 10,000-tractor scheme could mark a significant turning point for Nigeria’s agricultural sector by reducing dependence on manual farming, expanding cultivated farmland, and increasing overall productivity.

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