The federal government has unveiled the Greener Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, a significant initiative led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, aiming to produce 5,000 tractors locally each year.

This programme is designed to introduce advanced agricultural technologies, promote agro-industrialisation, and encourage youth participation in agriculture.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, launched the programme in Abuja, detailing plans to establish model agricultural mechanisation service centres and hubs across 37 designated farming clusters. These centres will be equipped with various types of agricultural machinery and will provide training in precision farming, mechanisation, and agribusiness to 5,000 participants.

Kyari highlighted that Origin Tech Nigeria Limited, through its subsidiary Origin Automobile Work, will spearhead the production and assembly of mechanisation equipment. The company plans to set up a manufacturing plant with a capacity to produce 5,000 tractors annually, supported by technical partnerships from South Korea, Taiwan, and Brazil.

To finance the project, Kyari revealed that a $1 billion facility from private sector financing will be utilized, including a $200 million upfront counterpart fund. The programme’s implementation will involve multiple government bodies and state governments to ensure the widespread establishment of agricultural mechanisation service centres and large-scale food production hubs.

The project is designed for a 10-year repayment period, with participating states expected to cover the costs through revenues generated from the farm estates and mechanisation services. Kyari urged all relevant ministries, offices, and bodies to actively engage in the programme, emphasizing its potential to transform the agricultural sector, generate employment, and create wealth.