By Victoria Onyisi
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, has expressed government’s readiness to train 819 tractor operators and mechanics with the intent to equip them with broad knowledge, practical hands on-skill in handling agricultural machinery to enhance food production.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, Department of Policy and Planning Coordination, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, stated this at a recent stakeholders’ workshop on the review of Draft National Agricultural Mechanization Policy Document in Abuja.
The AD, Information, Mr. Ezeaja Ikemefuna, in a statement on behalf of the Director, Information, in the Ministry, Dr. Joel Oruche, quoted the Perm Sec as saying that the Ministry would train 819 tractor operators and mechanics at Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centre (AMMOTRAC) at Akure and Misau respectively.
According to him, the training will deepen their knowledge and provide strong ground in Agricultural Mechanization Technology with excellent practical experience.
He stated that agricultural mechanization would provide technological inputs, increase and expand productivity through efficient, cost effective as well as sustainable strategies.
‘’There is no national policy on agricultural mechanization in Nigeria, the development of this mechanization policy comes at a critical time when the government is exploring various avenues to procure agricultural equipment amidst low agricultural output.’’ Fashedemi, said.
The significance of the national policy in agricultural mechanization, according to him, is to attain food security, livelihood security, strong export – push and import substitution components.
Fashedemi, said: ’Implementation of this policy will create an enabling environment for vibrant agricultural mechanization activities, and confident it will lead to increase in productivity, improved food security, and higher income for farmers”.
He also revealed that ‘’the Ministry will seek to reinvigorate Mechanization deployment through the engagement of Original Equipment Manufacturers OEM’s such as John Deere/Tata, Belarus tractor, Greener Hope Initiative Programme and Green Imperative Programme (GIP) to provide 32,500 Units of tractors with implements, and other assorted machinery for the next 5 years. This will provide the fulcrum and stimulate the youths and women into agricultural production in Nigeria.’’
In his remarks, Representative of the Origin Tech Group, Dr. Olasupo Musa, stated the organization had organized capacity training for 5,000 youths in equipment handling and repairs as well as establishment of 150,000 hectares of medium and large scale farms nationwide. He also pledged continuous support for the mechanization programme in line with the Present Administration’s policy in the agriculture sector.
In attendance were various stakeholders in the agriculture sector such as John Deere/Tata, Belarus tractor, Greener Hope Initiative Programme, and Green Imperative Programme (GIP).