The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Ibrahim, says the association has yet to receive the promised tractors needed to boost agricultural output, but noted that the importation process is ongoing.
Responding to inquiries about the status of the machines, Ibrahim said, “No, we haven’t. But it is a work in progress.”
He explained that AFAN is not directly involved in the importation process and thus lacks detailed information about the shipment timeline or structure.
“We have yet to receive those machines, but we are aware that that is a work in progress,” he stated. “We are not the ones importing. So, we don’t have the bill of lading, you know. We don’t know the time when they are going to get to us. We don’t know whether they are coming in bits. We don’t know whether they are coming in whole,” he stated.
Ibrahim said AFAN is simply a beneficiary in the arrangement and has no control over the import logistics.
“You know, we are just beneficiaries. And I believe the government is not going to give us for free. Maybe it will be subsidized. So, we are looking forward to receiving them if they come,” he added.
Recall that in January, the National Agricultural Development Fund was mandated, through a presidential directive, to lead the deployment of 10,000 John Deere tractors across Nigeria.
The initial rollout of 2,000 units was scheduled for the first and second quarters of 2025, with plans to scale up to 10,000 over the following five years.
The mechanisation policy is also expected to serve as an incentive, helping to attract both young people and women into agriculture.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, in Abuja in January during the contract signing with AGCOMS International Trading Limited, the authorised dealer of John Deere tractors.
The partnership aims to implement a large-scale mechanisation programme in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
According to the NADF boss, the Federal Executive Council approved the implementation of the stakeholder engagement in October 2024, leading to a series of deliberations with international and local stakeholders, a visit to John Deere, and rigorous negotiations on the contract terms.
Ibrahim stated, “We have finally come to an agreement that entails all the terms and conditions agreed to. We are here to sign that agreement between the National Agricultural Development Fund and AGCOMS.”
The signing ceremony marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural development, paving the way for the deployment of John Deere tractors to enhance mechanisation in the sector.
Speaking at the January event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, emphasised the significance of the agreement, stating, “This is one of the four mechanised programmes under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We want to have a lot of yield and see an increase in our agricultural harvest.”
The minister highlighted the importance of mechanisation in addressing the challenges faced by Nigerian farmers, particularly the ageing farming population and the physical demands of traditional agricultural practices.
“With the mechanisation policy, that will be an incentive and something that will attract the young and also women into agriculture,” he added.
As part of the agreement, AGCOMS International Trading Limited will deliver the tractors and implements, while NADF will provide support for the programme.
