In a bid to enhance food production and boost Nigeria’s agricultural sector, President Bola Tinubu has mandated the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to lead the deployment of 10,000 John Deere tractors across the country. The initiative is set to commence in Q1/Q2 2025, with an initial rollout of 2,000 tractors, and is expected to scale up to 10,000 units within the next five years.
The announcement was made during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NADF and John Deere at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, NADF Executive Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, emphasized that the tractor deployment is part of the Federal Government’s broader mechanization programs aimed at transforming Nigeria’s economy by promoting agricultural development. Ibrahim noted that the first batch of 2,000 tractors will be delivered to Lagos Port before the wet season farming begins.
The tractors, sourced from John Deere through AGCOMS International Trading Limited, are expected to support Nigeria’s transition away from a monolithic economy by revolutionizing the agricultural sector. NADF is also working closely with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to streamline logistics and ensure timely delivery to various parts of the country.
Ibrahim explained that the tractors would be assembled in Nigeria to provide job opportunities for the youth and to ensure product support and sustainability in the long run. The procurement value for the first 2,000 tractors is approximately $70 million, covering transportation and assembly costs.
Engr. Okoli Chijioke, the Country Director of AGCOMS International Trading Limited, highlighted the importance of the assembly plant, which will not only enable local assembly but also train Nigerian youths in the technology behind the tractors. This, he said, would ensure the equipment’s longevity and effectiveness in the field.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, commended the progress made in the partnership between NADF and AGCOMS. He emphasized that the Federal Executive Council fully supports the initiative, which he believes will attract young Nigerians to agribusiness and help achieve food security for the nation.
Kyari urged NADF to maintain momentum and ensure that the tractors are delivered to farmers before the wet season begins, emphasizing the importance of sustaining the effort to increase agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
