President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed that agriculture remains central to his administration’s strategy for economic recovery and long term growth, announcing fresh measures aimed at increasing food production across Nigeria.
Speaking during his Democracy Day address, Tinubu said ongoing investments in infrastructure and mechanized farming are helping connect producers to markets while creating economic opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
According to the President, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) will deploy 10,000 tractors nationwide over a five year period to stimulate enterprise, create jobs, and strengthen food security.
He said, “Infrastructure projects across the nation are linking producers to markets and generating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is set to deploy 10,000 tractors over a five year period.”
Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s commitment to reducing inflation, increasing agricultural output, expanding employment opportunities, and improving living standards despite ongoing economic challenges.
The tractor rollout follows a procurement agreement valued at approximately $70 million between NADF and AGCOMS International Trading Limited for the supply of 2,000 John Deere tractors to farmers nationwide.
The deal marks the first phase of a broader presidential directive that mandates NADF to oversee the deployment of 10,000 John Deere tractors over the next five years.
Speaking during the contract signing ceremony, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, described the initiative as a major step in the Federal Government’s plan to modernize agriculture and improve productivity.
He explained that the program goes beyond tractor supply and includes complementary equipment such as ridgers, harrowers, and combine harvesters needed for large scale farming operations.
“We obtained the conveyance from the Federal Executive Council in October, and we have spent three months in rigorous and intensive negotiations with John Deere. We have also conducted stakeholder engagements,” he said.
Ibrahim further disclosed that arrangements have been concluded with the Nigerian Ports Authority to provide space for an assembly plant that will support local tractor assembly and nationwide distribution.
He noted that the initiative is expected not only to improve access to modern farming equipment but also stimulate local industry, build technical expertise, and generate employment.
Chijioke Okoli, Country Director of AGCOMS International Trading Limited, said the initiative should be viewed as a full scale mechanization program rather than a simple equipment procurement exercise.
Industry observers believe the 10,000 tractor program could become a major turning point for Nigeria’s agricultural sector by reducing dependence on manual farming, expanding cultivated farmland, and significantly improving productivity.
