President Bola Tinubu’s administration is driving forward a massive agricultural mechanisation programme, with the deployment of over 32,500 tractors and equipment nationwide. The programme, which is already underway, is being hailed by stakeholders and experts as a transformative initiative capable of lifting millions out of poverty, increasing food output, and energising rural economies
At the heart of this flagship agricultural policy is the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), which, in partnership with Agcoms International Trading Limited and global tractor giant John Deere, is rolling out an initial 2,000 tractors and harvest machines under a $70 million contract signed in January 2025. These units, to be assembled locally in Abuja, are part of the larger plan to boost mechanised farming and drive economic inclusion across the country.
Nigeria currently has an alarmingly low agricultural mechanisation rate of about 0.27 tractors per 1,000 hectares, compared to the FAO’s recommended 1.5 tractors per 1,000 hectares. The country operates with an estimated 17,000 active tractors for over 34 million hectares of arable land—an equation that severely limits productivity, scalability, and export potential.
Experts argue that Nigeria needs a minimum of 300,000 tractors to close the gap and transform smallholder farming into a productive, market-driven system. President Tinubu’s plan to introduce 10,000 John Deere tractors over five years is a major stride towards that target.
“Mechanisation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” says Engr. Chijioke Okoli, Country Director of Agcoms. “These tractors will not only cultivate more land but will also reduce post-harvest losses, increase yield, and empower farmers economically.”
A standout feature of the initiative is the establishment of a tractor assembly plant in Abuja, designed to serve all regions of the country. This facility will do more than just piece together farm machinery—it is intended to be a training ground for Nigerian youth, fostering skills in equipment maintenance, technology adaptation, and agricultural engineering.
“This is about technology transfer, self-reliance, and job creation,” said Mohammed Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of NADF. “We’re building a future where Nigerian youth can maintain, repair, and innovate in agricultural technology, helping sustain the sector for decades to come.”
The government has also integrated this project into the Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting it as one of 40 key policy milestones within Tinubu’s first two years in office.
India’s successful agricultural transformation provides a model Nigeria is now adapting. India currently operates with over 13 tractors per 1,000 hectares, supported by policies such as the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM), which incentivises local manufacturing and supports rental services for small-scale farmers.
Nigeria’s phased rollout and the inclusion of a local assembly plant mirrors this approach, indicating that the Tinubu administration is not just procuring tractors, but investing in a structured ecosystem of sustainable mechanisation.
Mechanisation will enable farmers to shift from subsistence farming to commercial-scale operations, improving food availability, reducing dependence on imports, and increasing agro-exports. According to the World Bank, Nigeria loses between 20% and 40% of its agricultural produce annually due to manual harvesting and poor storage. Tractors and modern equipment will drastically reduce this wastage.
The economic impact is equally significant. With the agricultural sector employing over 70% of Nigeria’s rural population, the programme is expected to generate thousands of jobs directly and indirectly, from equipment operators and technicians to logistics providers and agri-service businesses.
Despite its promise, the success of the mechanisation drive depends on sustained political will, inter-agency coordination, and continuous funding. Experts stress the need for supporting systems such as agricultural extension services, credit access for smallholder farmers, and rural infrastructure development.
“This is not a one-off project—it’s a strategy,” said an agriculture policy analyst. “If implemented faithfully, it will be one of the defining legacies of this administration.”
With tractors soon to arrive and the assembly plant nearing completion, hope is rising among farmers and agricultural stakeholders. For many, this isn’t just about machines—it’s about the possibility of a new agricultural era where Nigerian farmers are equipped, empowered, and ready to feed a growing population.
As President Tinubu’s administration pushes forward, Nigeria may finally be on the verge of ending the hoe-and-cutlass era, ushering in a modern, efficient, and productive farming landscape—one tractor at a time.