President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated over 9,000 agricultural mechanization tools under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme, a bold initiative aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s agriculture sector and securing food sovereignty.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme on Monday in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasized the government’s commitment to modernizing agriculture and making it an attractive venture for the nation’s youth.
“We have deployed over 2,000 state-of-the-art tractors, 50 bulldozers, 12 mobile workshops, and more than 9,000 essential farm implements. This initiative will ease the burden of farming, create jobs, and make agriculture more appealing to our young population,” the President stated.
The equipment, he explained, will be distributed nationwide to support service providers, promote all-year-round farming, and generate employment—especially for young Nigerians. He noted that beyond achieving self-sufficiency, Nigeria’s goal is to become a global supplier of high-quality agricultural produce.
“Our aspirations are not limited to local food sufficiency. We are working towards positioning Nigeria as a global agricultural leader, capable of exporting premium-quality food to the world while ensuring affordable nutrition for all citizens,” Tinubu said.
He also praised the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for its proactive efforts in addressing food insecurity and urged stakeholders to ensure the efficient use of the equipment.
“To everyone receiving this equipment, use it effectively. We will monitor deployment and ensure accountability,” he warned.
The President further acknowledged Nigeria’s growing partnership with Belarus, especially in training Nigerian youths in machinery operations, repairs, and fabrication, and promised continued support through related programmes at both federal and state levels.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the launch as a historic achievement in Nigeria’s quest for agricultural transformation and food independence.
Kyari outlined four major mechanization projects under the Renewed Hope Programme: the John Deere Characterization Programme, the Greener Hope Project, the Green Imperative Programme, and the newly introduced Delaware Project. He said the current initiative is the most extensive mechanization effort in Nigeria’s history. According to him, the programme includes:
2,000 modern tractors with trailers and accessories
10 advanced 330-horsepower combine harvesters
12 mobile workshops
Over 9,000 agricultural implements
9,000 spare parts kits
“This programme is set to cultivate over 550,000 hectares of land, yield over 2 million metric tons of staple crops, generate more than 16,000 jobs, and directly benefit over 550,000 farming households across all six geopolitical zones,” Kyari added.
He also credited the technical support and rapid rollout by APRE-BNCC, a Belarusian-led enterprise, and welcomed Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Victor Karankevich, who attended the launch.
In his remarks, Karankevich expressed Belarus’s commitment to the programme, highlighting the country’s global reputation in producing and supplying agricultural equipment to over 100 nations. He also signaled interest in participating in the second phase of the initiative.
The event was attended by senior government officials, foreign diplomats, development partners, and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
