Tinubu Flags Off 2,000-Tractor Rollout in Nigeria’s Largest-Ever Agricultural Mechanization Drive

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially launched 2,000 tractors as part of the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme (HEDA), marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of food security and modernized farming.

The announcement was shared by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, June 23, 2025.

Alongside the tractors, 9,000 advanced farming implements were also unveiled, further enhancing the scope of the program.

President Tinubu’s Remarks

During the launch, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revolutionizing the agricultural sector, recalling his 2023 declaration of a national emergency on food security.

“Two years ago, we made a promise under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Programme. I declared an emergency on agriculture to drive food security and sovereignty, which is the foundation of any prosperous nation,” Tinubu said.

“These modern machines will make farming easier and more attractive. We must abandon outdated, 18th-century methods and embrace 21st-century agricultural systems. Nigeria must achieve food independence. Let this day be remembered as the beginning of Nigeria’s agricultural rebirth.”

The tractors and equipment, acquired under a multi-billion-dollar Nigeria-Belarus partnership, form the largest agricultural mechanization initiative in Nigeria’s history.

Background and Implementation

In February 2025, Nigeria received the first batch of the Belarus tractors following President Tinubu’s approval of the deal with the Eastern European nation.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who paid a surprise visit to inspect the deliveries, noted significant progress in the initiative.

“We’ve already received over 30% of the total order. As we were leaving the site, two more trucks arrived. These tractors will be deployed for the 2025 wet season. We have spare parts secured for the next four years, and we’re training youths across all 774 local government areas,” Kyari said.

He added that over 200 containers of tractors and implements had landed in Lagos, with several en route to Abuja. On the day of the visit alone, five containers arrived—each carrying three tractors—totaling 15 units.

Tractor Models and Nationwide Reach

The 2,000 tractors include four tailored models to suit Nigeria’s diverse farming landscapes:

90-horsepower (2-wheel drive)

90-horsepower (4-wheel drive)

80-horsepower (2-wheel drive)

80-horsepower (4-wheel drive)

Each model is being delivered in 500-unit batches to ensure equitable access for farmers nationwide.

The program also includes 9,072 agricultural implements to support various farm operations, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to mechanized farming.

“This rollout directly reflects President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places agricultural mechanization at the heart of food security and rural economic transformation,” Kyari emphasized.

Distribution Strategy

To ensure wide and effective reach, the government is deploying three distribution models:

1. Direct Purchase – Individuals and organizations can buy the equipment outright.

2. Leasing Scheme – Affordable rental options without full ownership costs.

3. Service Provider Model – Establishes tractor service centers in rural communities, enabling smallholder farmers to rent equipment as needed.

This multi-pronged approach is designed to maximize access, boost productivity, and ensure that no farmer is left behind in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.

Nairametric

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