Mechanisation key to driving Nigeria’s food security – Expert

Okoli Chijioke, Chief Executive Officer of Agcoms International Trading Limited, emphasized the critical role of agricultural mechanization in boosting Nigeria's food production and security. He stated that modernizing farming through increased access to equipment is vital for raising farm productivity, strengthening value chains, and attracting young people to agriculture.

Chijioke expressed support for President Bola Tinubu's agricultural reforms, noting that the administration's focus on mechanization is a significant pathway to transforming the sector. He highlighted a major milestone in January: a $70 million agreement between the National Agricultural Development Fund and Agcoms for the supply of 2,000 tractors and 100 combine harvesters.

“

The administration’s sustained emphasis on modernising agriculture through increased access to mechanised farming equipment represents one of the most effective pathways to raising productivity, strengthening agricultural value chains and attracting a new generation of Nigerians into farming.

This initiative, recognized as one of the first two years of the Tinubu administration's key achievements, goes beyond equipment supply. It includes local assembly of agricultural machinery in Nigeria, aiming to promote technology transfer, create jobs, and build the country's technical capacity. Chijioke stressed that while technology is essential, sustainable success also requires operator training, maintenance systems, financing, and reliable after-sales services.

“

Sustainable outcomes can only be achieved when machinery deployment is supported by operator training, maintenance systems, financing solutions and depe