The Federal Government has revealed its intention to promote food security by initiating the manufacturing of 2,000 tractors.
This revelation was made by Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, during a weekend audience in Abuja with a delegation headed by Jason Braintley, Vice President of John Deere.
Kyari pointed out that the envisaged local production of 2,000 tractors will play a key role in improving food production, creating jobs for farmers, and establishing food and nutrition security in the country.
He further disclosed that ‘the visit was a follow-up to the meeting between Nigeria’s Vice President Ibrahim Shettima and top officials of John Deere at the recent World Food Prize Foundation held in Lowa, USA.’
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‘When produced, the government would not off-take the tractors but provide the enabling environment to make the tractors affordable at a low-interest rate to Nigerian farmers and boost all-year round farming.’
Additionally, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, stated that the government has implemented measures to identify legitimate farmers in need of tractors.
Also commenting on the matter, Jason Braintley, Vice President of John Deere, conveyed that their team’s visit to Nigeria was focused on studying the business environment and assessing the extent of their partnership with the Nigerian government.
Abdullahi further added that his company is willing to consider hiring, acquisition, and production, and is committed to providing after-sales services, genuine spare parts, and training for operators and mechanics.
‘The capacity of the tractors would range between 75 and 90 horse-power for use in different terrains in the country.’