Nigerian Farmers Gain Access to Tractors Through New Leasing Initiative

Smallholder farmers across four Nigerian states are set to benefit from a new initiative designed to enhance agricultural productivity and bolster the nation's food security. The Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) has partnered with Heifer Nigeria to provide access to modern farming equipment, including tractors and irrigation systems, through affordable leasing arrangements.

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This partnership demonstrates how equipment leasing can unlock opportunities for farmers, cooperatives, women and young agripreneurs in Benue, Nasarawa, Ogun and Edo states by providing affordable access to tractors, irrigation systems, processing equipment and other productive assets required to drive agricultural transformation.

The collaboration, formalized through a two-year Memorandum of Understanding effective from August 15, 2026, to August 14, 2028, is a key component of Heifer Nigeria's flagship Naija Unlock Programme. This initiative specifically targets farmers in Benue, Nasarawa, Ogun, and Edo states, aiming to expand agricultural mechanization by offering flexible leasing and lease-to-own models. This approach is intended to help smallholder farmers, cooperatives, women, and young agripreneurs acquire essential equipment without the burden of substantial upfront payments.

Donald Wokoma, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of ELRA, hailed the agreement as a significant advancement in agricultural financing. He emphasized that the partnership addresses a major obstacle to increasing food production by making modern equipment accessible. Wokoma stated that the program, initially focused on the four pilot states, is designed to serve as a replicable model for the entire country, demonstrating how equipment leasing can unlock opportunities and drive agricultural transformation.

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It also reinforces ELRA’s commitment to making leasing a catalyst for national development by connecting more Nigerians with the productive assets they need to succeed. We are confident that this collaboration will redefine how farmers and rural enterprises access equipment, ultimately driving productivity, job creation and economic prosperity.

Heifer Nigeria's Country Director, Lekan Tobe, echoed this sentiment, affirming the organization's dedication to empowering smallholder farmers with practical, market-driven solutions. Tobe highlighted that access to productive assets is fundamental to agricultural development and poverty alleviation. The program's phased rollout, beginning in the specified states, is expected to eventually extend nationwide, aiming to redefine equipment access for farmers and rural enterprises, thereby fostering increased productivity, job creation, and economic prosperity.

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At Heifer Nigeria, we believe that access to productive assets is fundamental to transforming agriculture and lifting farming families out of poverty. Through t