In a major push to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the Federal Government has announced plans to deploy new Belarus-made tractors and over 9,000 specialised farming implements directly to smallholder farmers across the country.
The initiative, part of President Bola Tinubu’s food security and mechanisation drive, aims to make modern farming tools accessible, reduce manual labour, and significantly boost agricultural productivity nationwide.
From Policy to Practice: Ensuring Tractors Reach Real Farmers
Speaking in Abuja on the sidelines of events marking the 2025 World Food Day, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, said the government was finalising modalities to ensure that the 2,000 tractors inaugurated by President Tinubu in June 2025 do not end up in the wrong hands.
“President Tinubu has made it clear — these tractors must serve Nigeria’s smallholder farmers, not political interests,” Abdullahi said.
“We are developing a system through Agricultural Mechanisation Service Centres that guarantees access for genuine farmers, especially those in rural areas.”
According to the minister, the tractors — equipped with advanced technology — will be distributed through registered mechanisation hubs, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and sustainability.
Advanced Features, Built for Sustainability
Each of the new Belarus tractors comes with smart technology designed for durability and precision.
Abdullahi revealed that some tractors feature automated servicing alerts, and may even shut down automatically if due for maintenance — a safeguard to ensure long-term functionality.
“We have integrated a training component and spare-parts support into the rollout,” the minister explained.
“These tractors are IT-enabled, meaning young Nigerians can easily learn to operate them, creating new opportunities for agro-tech jobs and entrepreneurship.”
The training and technical support programme, led by the Ministry in partnership with local equipment dealers and technical institutes, will empower farmers and rural youth to manage and maintain the tractors effectively.
Agricultural Mechanisation Service Centres to Drive Access
Under the new framework, the tractors will be deployed to Agricultural Mechanisation Service Centres (AMSCs) being established nationwide.
These centres will function as community-driven service hubs where farmers can rent or lease tractors and implements at affordable rates — eliminating the high costs of private ownership.
The approach ensures equitable access, promotes shared infrastructure, and supports the government’s goal of mechanising over 550,000 hectares of farmland in the coming seasons.
Boosting Food Security and Youth Employment
The mechanisation initiative is projected to:
✅ Cultivate over 550,000 hectares of farmland;
✅ Produce over two million metric tonnes of staple foods annually;
✅ Create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerian youth and women;
✅ Strengthen rural economies and reduce post-harvest losses.
“Our target is not just higher yields,” Abdullahi added.
“It’s about empowering smallholders — the backbone of Nigeria’s agriculture — with tools that multiply their output and income.”
BRANDECONOMY INSIGHT: From Manual Labour to Mechanised Growth
The rollout of the Belarus tractor initiative signals a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for agricultural self-sufficiency.
For decades, the nation’s smallholder farmers, who produce over 80% of local food, have struggled with limited access to modern machinery, relying heavily on manual tools.
This mechanisation agenda — tied to the Renewed Hope Food Security Programme — positions Nigeria to:
- Drastically reduce its food import bill;
- Strengthen agro-industrial value chains;
- Attract private investment into mechanised farming.
It also underscores President Tinubu’s focus on technology-driven agriculture — a model where innovation and inclusion drive both productivity and profitability. Nigerians look forward to the fruits of this vision.
