Editorial: Let the states take a lead in rural mechanization to farmers

For a proactive attainment of food security using modern technology, the state governments must be allowed to take the lead.

The idea of the apex government purchasing tractors for distribution across all the local governments of the federation may not really give the desired results.

The Federal Government had in a few months, launched Belarus tractors that are expected to be deployed into massive food production, and many of them were still yet to be given out because they are far too expensive for what a small holder farmer, who is in majority can afford going by their incomes from one to two hectares.

Since farming is done at the grassroots, the appropriate idea would have been for the states to handle the scale down modern technology to rural farmers with a model of easy availability, affordability, and accessibility.

The 2025 report on agricultural performance being conducted by NAERLS confirmed that rural farmers are more disposed to power tillers, mini planters, and harvesters as they are more affordable than a whole tractor.

Although the peculiarity of mechanization in terms of land preparation in the North might not be the same in the South, where thick forests required horsepower tractors for the tilling and ploughing of lands.

This Agricultural performance survey actually drew our attention to billions of Naira the FG has injected into tractors that are housed in Abuja waiting for distribution, just as findings revealed that many farmers may not be able to pay for them due to low incomes.

The determination to attain food security must be well thought out between the FG and states to ensure farmers' accessibility to modern technology that is more ecologically adaptable with price affordability to farmers, otherwise all the government efforts will end up in a waste except the states take the responsibility to invest more in Agriculture as they are closer to the grassroots in collaboration with the local councils.

There is a great need for mechanization centres across each local government where farmers can easily access any form of modern equipment to reduce drudgery in their farms. Doing this will create more jobs and more economic activities targeted towards food security and sustainability.