WorldStage newsonline– The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans are underway to train 819 tractor operators and mechanics at Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centre (AMMOTRAC) at Akure and Misau.
Mr Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, stated this on Wednesday at a stakeholders workshop on the review of draft national agricultural mechanisation policy document in Abuja.
He said that the draft policy sought to create an enabling environment for mechanisation development, build capacity for training, research and technology development.
Fashedemi was represented by Mr Ibrahim Tanimu, the Director, Planning and Policy Coordination, Ministry of Agriculture.
He said that the proposed training was designed to equip participants (youths and women) with broad knowledge and practical skill in handling agricultural machinery.
Fashedemi who underscored the importance of the mechanisation policy, reiterated Government’s commitment to ensure the full implementation of the document when passed by the National Assembly.
“The training will also deepen their knowledge and provide strong ground in Agricultural Mechanisation Technology with excellent practical experience,” he said.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Agenda which sought to reinvigorate mechanisation deployment through the engagement of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s ) such as John Deere/Tata, Belarus tractor, Greener Hope Initiative Programme and Green Imperative Programme (GIP).
Fashedemi said that OEM’s would provide 32,500 Units of tractors with implements, and other assorted machinery for the next five years.
“This will provide the fulcrum and stimulate the youths and women into agricultural production in Nigeria.,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Frank Kudla, Chairman of the Committee on the draft policy, expressed hope that the review of the document would serve as a guiding framework for the transformation of nation’s agricultural sector.
“Agriculture, as we know, is the backbone of our economy. It employs a significant portion of our population and is essential to the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
” However, the traditional methods that have served us well in the past now require a transformation to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population,” he said.
Kudla is also the Director, Department of Rural Development, ministry of Agriculture.
In a Goodwill message, Dr Musa Olasupo, Director of Programmes, Greener Hope Large Scale Mechanisation Programme, underscored the importance of mechanisation to achieve food and nutrition in Nigeria.
He stressed the need for synergy and collaboration between stakeholders to advance mechanisation in the country.
Also, Mr Okoli Chijoke, Country Director, AGCOMS International (John Deere Delear) equally stressed on the importance of mechanisation for improved productivity.
Dr Nneka Enwonwu, Country Director HELLO Tractor, lauded the mechanisation drive of the Federal Government to increase production and enhance food security in Nigeria.
She said that mechanisation was key and strategic right now to Nigeria and Nigerians.
A representative of the youth, Mr Jerry Tobi, said that the document would make agriculture attractive to the youths.
“The policy is critical in the agricultural sector now,” he said.
