FG begins training of 4,000 tractor operators for mechanisation drive

Nigeria's Federal Government has launched a nationwide training program for 4,000 tractor operators as part of its agricultural mechanization project. This initiative aims to strengthen food security and develop a skilled workforce for large-scale modern farming across the country.

The program is coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through the National Agricultural Development Fund, in partnership with AGCOMS International Trading Limited and the Industrial Training Fund. The first group of 250 trainees commenced a two-week residential training on Monday at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State. These operators will be trained to operate and maintain modern John Deere tractors and other agricultural implements.

This training initiative is a key component of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to transform agriculture, enhance food security, generate employment for young Nigerians, and stimulate economic growth through mechanized farming. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, described the program as a practical demonstration of the government's commitment to mechanization.

Kyari stated, "This training programme is a direct expression of the Federal Government’s commitment to putting Nigerian farmers in charge of Nigerian food security. Two thousand tractors is a national investment. Four thousand well-trained operators is what turns that investment into a harvest." The program emphasizes that investments in agricultural equipment must be matched with investments in human capital, recognizing that skilled operators are crucial for maximizing productivity and achieving sustainable food security.

Beyond increasing the nation's mechanization capacity, the initiative will equip thousands of young Nigerians with specialized technical skills and nationally recognized certifications, improving their employability. It also aims to support the growth of mechanization service providers and commercial agriculture, contributing to the overall development of the agricultural sector.

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This training programme is a direct expression of the Federal Government’s commitment to putting Nigerian farmers in charge of Nigerian food security. Two thousand tractors is a national investment. Four thousand well-trained operators is what turns that investment into a harvest.