President Bola Tinubu has initiated an Agricultural Machinery Programme in Niger State.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Niger State government, aims to revolutionize the agricultural sector through the deployment of cutting-edge machinery and technology for large-scale agro-value chain development.
Addressing attendees at the inauguration ceremony, President Tinubu stated the need for Nigeria to bolster its capacity to feed its populace while also generating surplus for export. He applauded the leadership and dedication exhibited by the Niger State government in advancing the food security and agricultural mechanization agenda.
President Tinubu articulated the need to address challenges such as crop damage caused by roaming livestock, highlighting the importance of reorienting herders and providing adequate infrastructure for cattle rearing. He pledged his administration’s commitment to implementing comprehensive programs aimed at resolving such issues and ensuring the nation’s prosperity.
Tinubu urged sub-national governments to promptly implement wage awards to alleviate the financial burden on citizens, pending an increase in the minimum wage.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, revealed that the federal government had secured a financing agreement with the Brazilian Government and German Deutsch Bank Group for the Green Imperative Programme. This initiative, valued at 995 million euros, aims to establish mechanization hubs across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the federal government and the John Deere Group, a subsidiary of Tata Equipment, for the procurement of 10,000 units of tractors and implements over the next five years under the Greener Hope Initiative.
