Victoria Mgbanwa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the largest mechanised farming initiative in Nigeria’s history flagging off 2,000 tractors and thousands of equipment designed to empower smallholder farmers, engage young Nigerians, and modernise food production.
At the unveiling ceremony held at the Agricultural Seeds Council Complex in Sheda, Abuja, President Tinubu declared the programme as a strategic cornerstone of his administration’s food security plan. The initiative, supported by the Republic of Belarus, is positioned to drive innovation, reduce rural poverty, and reposition agriculture as a lucrative venture for Nigeria’s youth.
“We are very proud of what we are doing. We made a promise when we came in,” Tinubu said.
“We are fulfilling that promise. Two years ago, I sounded the alarm on our nation’s food security crisis. I demanded immediate and innovative solutions. That, again, is answered today this is the first phase of it.”
The rollout features 2,000 tractors, 9,000 implements, mobile workshops, and combine harvesters that will be distributed across the country through a service-provider model. The approach ensures that even smallholder farmers who make up over 70% of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce can access modern machinery without bearing the full financial burden.
Highlighting the broader vision, the President said the initiative was part of Nigeria’s ambition to become a “global agricultural powerhouse,” exporting high-quality produce while ensuring affordable, nutritious food is accessible to every Nigerian.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the project as “unprecedented,” stating it will cover over 550,000 hectares of farmland and generate over 2 million metric tons of staple foods. The programme is expected to create more than 16,000 jobs and directly benefit over half a million farming households.
Key youth-focused elements include training in tractor operations, agri-tech innovations, and extension services. GPS tracking systems will be used to ensure accountability and transparency in equipment deployment.
Kyari further noted that this launch represents just the first phase of an ongoing partnership with Belarus and AfTrade DMCC, with future stages including local assembly plants, grain storage complexes, and maintenance centres to deepen the industrial backbone of Nigerian agriculture.
Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, Viktor Karenkevich, who was present at the event, praised the bilateral cooperation, calling it a “model for sustainable development partnerships.” He reiterated Belarus’ commitment to further phases of investment and capacity-building in Nigeria’s agri-sector.
With strong backing from international partners, Nigerian lawmakers, and private-sector stakeholders, the initiative is set to not only boost food production but also redefine agriculture as a pathway to national prosperity, especially for Nigeria’s younger generation.
President Tinubu concluded by urging all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the program.
“To all stakeholders receiving this equipment, deploy it with maximum efficiency. We will work with you, supervise you, and hold you accountable,” he said.
