The Federal Government has commenced the training of 300 youths as tractor operators and mechanics under its mechanisation programme aimed at enhancing food production and national food security.
The initiative, organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), is being held at the Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centre (AMMOTRAC) in Akure North, Ondo State.
According to the ministry, the one-week intensive programme combines theoretical lessons and hands-on practical sessions in tractor handling, routine maintenance, diagnostics, and modern farming techniques. The training targets youths from the South South, South East, and South West regions of the country.
The project is part of the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, a flagship intervention designed to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector by reducing reliance on manual labour and expanding the use of technology.
Government officials noted that the programme would help shift the nation from subsistence farming to commercial-scale, mechanised agriculture, thereby increasing yields, improving efficiency, and cutting post-harvest losses.
This latest effort builds on earlier initiatives. In 2024, the government announced plans to train 819 tractor operators and mechanics, while in 2025, President Bola Tinubu flagged off the distribution of 2,000 tractors and implements to farmers across the country.
Stakeholders, including farmers’ associations, have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention to tackle rising food costs, boost productivity, and strengthen food security.
