In a major push to scale up mechanised agriculture, the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has rolled out more than 2,000 tractors and heavy-duty equipment to farmers nationwide.
The intervention, supported by Heifer International and Heifer Nigeria, is being implemented under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme (NAMP), designed to modernise farming practices and boost food output.
Speaking at the launch, BOA Managing Director, Mr Ayodeji Sontinrin, said the initiative was part of a broader strategy to reposition agriculture as a resilient, productivity-driven sector of the economy.
He explained that the programme was structured not only to provide machinery but also to establish sustainable systems that generate long-term value for farmers, particularly smallholders.
According to him, NAMP represents a strategic investment in agricultural infrastructure that will strengthen value chains and improve livelihoods across rural communities.
Sontinrin said the scheme was built on principles of financial responsibility, inclusive participation, digital accountability and integrated ecosystem development, ensuring lasting economic impact.
He urged beneficiaries to handle the equipment responsibly, describing it as a national asset meant to serve collective interests.
“You are stepping into a transformative movement aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. Proper maintenance, timely repayments, skills development and job creation are critical to the success of this initiative,” he said.
He added that the handover marked a significant turning point in the country’s agricultural reform agenda, noting that it underscored the administration’s renewed commitment to food security.
On his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed that over 100,000 applications were received in the first phase of the programme, reflecting widespread demand for mechanisation.
He clarified that the tractors would be deployed through accredited Mechanisation Service Providers under a structured lease-to-own arrangement, rather than being issued for private ownership.
Kyari explained that each tractor was capable of servicing up to 600 hectares annually, thereby expanding farm coverage and boosting productivity.
He said the deployment strategy would enable mechanised services to reach about 1.2 million farmers across more than 1.5 million hectares each year, significantly strengthening national food production capacity.
The minister added that many of the service providers were youth- and women-led enterprises, supported through tailored financing and sustainability frameworks.
According to him, BOA, in partnership with Heifer International, is implementing innovative funding models, including leasing, hire-purchase and service aggregation, to ensure operational viability.
Kyari further noted that the ministry would provide regulatory oversight, quality control, monitoring and nationwide capacity development to guarantee effective programme delivery.
He stressed that the initiative represented a holistic reform effort capable of driving agricultural growth, employment generation and economic stability across the country.