The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, has said that the production of 2,000 tractors yearly would enhance food production, create jobs for Nigerian farmers, as well as achieving food and nutrition security in the country.
The Minister stated this while receiving in audience a delegation from John Deere led by its Vice President, Jason Braintley, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja today, Friday 17th, November, 2023.
Kyari noted 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.
He said that, when produced, government would not off-take the tractors but provide the enabling environment to make the tractors affordable at low-interest rate to Nigerian farmers and boost all-year round farming.
Kyari pointed out there was a need for farmers to form clusters or co-operatives to ensure that they have access to mechanization and pay instalmentally within a few years.
The Vice President of John Deere, Jason Braintley said that the company was exploring the feasibility of hiring, acquisition and production, in addition to after-sales services, supply of genuine spare parts and training of operators and mechanics.
The capacity of the tractors would range between 75 and 90 horse-power for use in different terrains in the country.