News in brief:
– Nigeria is importing mechanised farm equipment from the US, Brazil, and Belarus to boost agricultural productivity.
– The Tinubu-led administration is also giving incentives and removing tariffs on essential agricultural products to lower food prices.
In a recent broadcast addressing the ongoing protests against the high cost of living, President Bola Tinubu announced a significant move to boost food production in Nigeria. The federal government has ordered mechanised farm equipment from the United States, Brazil, and Belarus. This initiative aims to revolutionise agriculture by increasing productivity and making farming more efficient nationwide.
Mechanised farming involves the use of advanced tools and machinery such as tractors, planters, and harvesters to perform agricultural tasks. Unlike traditional methods, which rely on manual labour and basic tools, mechanisation improves efficiency, reduces labour costs, and increases crop yields.
One of the major challenges in adopting it is the cost of equipment, which is usually higher than the typical smallholder farmer can afford. However, with the government providing them at subsidised rates (or even free), this challenge can be checkmated. Although, there is still the issue of poor technical know-how as heavy machinery operation in Nigeria is usually reserved for experts with special training. This problem can be reduced by capacity training efforts, which should go hand-in-hand with equipment distribution.
Addressing food prices and input costs
This move comes amid rising prices of staple foods like rice, maize, beans, and wheat, which have significantly impacted Nigerians’ cost of living. Additionally, farmers have faced increasing costs of farm inputs (seeds, fertilisers, pesticides) and labour, partly due to recent government policies.
To alleviate this burden, President Tinubu also announced the removal of tariffs and import duties on essential agricultural products and supplies for the next 150 days. This measure is expected to lower food prices and make farming inputs more affordable.
The federal government is not just importing equipment but is also providing incentives to farmers to increase food production. These incentives include subsidies, access to affordable credit, and distribution of fertilisers. The goal is to cultivate over 10 million hectares of land, create job opportunities and increase food security.
Tinubu calls for unity and progress
The success of this initiative relies on collaboration between the federal and state governments. While the federal government provides incentives and resources, state governments will provide the necessary land for large-scale farming. This partnership is designed to engage millions of Nigerians, especially the youth, in productive agricultural activities.
In his address, President Tinubu acknowledged the frustrations driving the protests and assured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns. He called for unity and cooperation to build a prosperous future for all.
“We must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart. We must work together to build a brighter future, where every Nigerian can live with dignity and prosperity,” he said.
