NASC boss advocates tractors distribution to 774 LGAs

The Director General/CEO, National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Hon. Fatuhu Buhari, has wished that the Belarus tractors be distributed across  774 local government areas of Nigeria. 

Fatuhu Buhari said this would strengthen grassroots mechanisation towards enhanced food security.

Speaking at a recent tractors handover event in Sheda,  the NASC boss stressed he would have preferred that the 2,000 tractors currently undergoing distribution be equitably shared among local governments so as to ensure small holder farmers' benefit directly.

The seeds council boss said, " Why not share the 2,000 tractors among the 774 local governments? Each local government could have got about 12, and then establish a public- private arrangement to manage them"

He further emphasised that "Decentralising the tractors will empower young farmers, bridge existing mechanisation gaps and stimulate agricultural startups at the grassroots level"

The Seeds Council's overall boss admitted that his personal thought, however, differs to the Federal Government blueprint under by the Bank of Agriculture ( BOA).

The distribution blueprint, according to BOA, placed emphasis on tractors' proper maintenance, as previous experiences have revealed.

Managing Director of BOA, Mr Ayo Sotinrin, said that the previous mechanisation program failed due to lack of maintenance, weak recovery and underutilization.

According to Sontinrin, “In the past, tractors were procured and distributed, but within a few years, many were broken down and idle. Capital running into hundreds of millions of dollars was expended without recovery" 

He explained further that the mechanisation programme is built on a self-sustaining financial model designed to recover and reinvest funds rather than rely on continuous government or donor funding.

"Under the programme, each tractor beneficiary must demonstrate the capacity to service at least 600 hectares annually, a benchmark considered necessary for profitability and sustainability. Applicants are also required to show proof of market access, operational planning, equity contribution and commitment to digital fleet management"

According to the Bank’s MD, the 2,000 tractors are projected to serve at least 1.2 million farmers across 1.5 million hectares, a significant increase compared to previous schemes where tractors were assigned to individual farmers cultivating small plots.

He added that six geo maintenance centres shall be established to provide workshops, spare parts depots, operator training and digital monitoring systems.

He said further that each tractor would also be attached to tracking devices for monitoring usage, maintenance schedules and service delivery in real time.

“This is not just about distributing tractors, the BOA MD said. “It is about building a mechanisation ecosystem that is financially disciplined, inclusive and sustainable"