Akure: The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has initiated a training program for over 300 tractor operators and mechanics to enhance mechanised farming as a solution to the food shortage crisis in the country. The training took place at the Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centre (AMMOTRAC) in Ilado-Elemo, Akure.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, highlighted that the Renewed Hope Initiative aims to strengthen food security by modernising farming practices. Represented by Mrs Temitope Alao, the South-West Regional Head of the ministry, Kyari emphasized the potential of the southern regions of the country, which boast 70 million hectares of arable land and favourable climate conditions, to not only feed the nation but also contribute to global food security.
Kyari addressed the limitations in the sector due to ongoing traditional farming methods, noting that the average Nigerian farmer cultivates less than one and a half hectares of land using outdated tools. He stressed the importance of transitioning to mechanised systems, which have proven successful in developed nations, and urged stakeholders to support the Federal Government's efforts to enhance mechanisation.
The minister also called on the youth to embrace modern farming as a vocation, recognizing them as the architects of the future agricultural landscape. He encouraged the beneficiaries to value the training, which promises to transform the sector.
Dr Marcus Ogunjobi, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, reiterated the initiative's commitment to transforming Nigeria's agricultural landscape. He stated that achieving food security requires moving from subsistence farming to a more modern, efficient, and competitive agricultural framework. Ogunjobi pointed out that mechanisation is crucial, as tractors and their implements are the driving force behind this revolution.
He explained that the training program is a strategic investment in human capacity, providing participants with essential theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on experience to operate and maintain tractors safely and profitably. Ogunjobi concluded by aligning the training goals with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at enhancing productivity, creating jobs for the youth, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.