NADF graduates 250 agricultural mechanisation service providers

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has marked a significant milestone by graduating its inaugural cohort of approximately 250 participants from the National Agricultural Mechanisation Service Providers Training Programme. This initiative is designed to bolster technical expertise and promote the sustainable use of agricultural machinery nationwide.

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The programme targets the training of 4,000 tractor drivers and mechanics, with 250 participants drawn from across the six geopolitical zones trained in the first phase.

Mohammed Ibrahim, the Executive Secretary and CEO of NADF, stated that the graduation represents a crucial step in the Federal Government's strategy to modernize agriculture through mechanization, innovation, and human capital development. The program not only focuses on training operators and mechanics but also on cultivating essential skills, robust systems, and a strong maintenance culture necessary for sustained agricultural productivity and enhanced food security.

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The graduation marked an important milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise agriculture through mechanisation, innovation and human capital development.

Participants underwent rigorous training covering agricultural mechanization service delivery, machinery management, occupational safety, enterprise development, and sustainable maintenance practices. Ibrahim emphasized that the program instills professionalism, an entrepreneurial mindset, and operational discipline, vital for an efficient mechanization ecosystem. The certification by the Industrial Training Fund will qualify these graduates for inclusion in a national database of proficient service providers.

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Beyond technical skills, the programme has strengthened professionalism, enterprise mindset and operational discipline required to sustain an efficient mechanisation ecosystem.

Ibrahim stressed that the true measure of sustainable mechanization lies not just in the acquisition of machinery but in the ability to maintain it effectively and economically. He noted that past investments in agricultural mechanization have sometimes fallen short of their potential due to insufficient technical capacity and inadequate maintenance systems. The NADF's approach prioritizes the longevity and productivity of machinery through technical competence, accountability, and responsible stewardship.

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The database would support long-term public and private-sector investments in agricultural machinery and implements and potentially enable certified service providers to be entrusted with multimillion-naira agricultural assets.