Nigeria must shift from tractor purchases to a modern, service-driven agricultural mechanisation system to raise productivity, attract investment and improve farmers’ access to technology, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has said.
Zulum made the call at a High-Level National Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Mechanisation organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja.
He identified low productivity, limited access to technology, inadequate investment and weak value chains as major challenges holding back Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The governor said mechanisation should be delivered as a service, enabling farmers to access timely land preparation, precision farming, irrigation and other modern agricultural technologies without necessarily owning expensive machinery.
He said Borno’s significant investment in agriculture formed part of his administration’s strategy to rebuild livelihoods and restore communities affected by insecurity and displacement.
Zulum outlined a four-pronged approach to agricultural transformation: mechanising agriculture to increase productivity and reduce drudgery; digitalising agriculture to improve precision and efficiency; regenerating agricultural resources to promote sustainability; and investing in infrastructure, technology and enterprises.
Private investment needed for transformation
The governor called for stronger private-sector participation and innovative financing to support local manufacturing and assembly of agricultural machinery, irrigation systems, renewable energy equipment, storage facilities and processing infrastructure.
He also advocated greater investment in value addition and businesses led by young people and women.
Zulum said Nigeria should not simply reproduce traditional farming systems but develop an agricultural sector that is modern, technology-driven, climate-resilient, productive and inclusive.
He said the ultimate objective was to build an agricultural economy capable of feeding the country, competing in global markets, creating jobs and delivering sustainable prosperity to rural communities.
RN
