Agcom Commends Tinubu's $70 Million Tractor Program to Strengthen Food Security

• Mechanisation seen as key to economic and agricultural transformation

Agricultural equipment supplier Agcoms International Trading Limited has praised President Bola Tinubu’s food‑security agenda, arguing that mechanisation is a vital driver of economic growth, rural prosperity and the transformation of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Chief Executive Officer Okoli Chijioke said the administration’s focus on modernising farming through greater access to mechanised equipment is one of the most effective ways to raise productivity, strengthen value chains and attract a new generation of Nigerians to farming.

He noted that the federal government’s mechanisation programme gained significant momentum in January when the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) announced a $70 million agreement with Agcoms to supply 2,000 tractors and other machinery, including 100 combine harvesters.

As an authorised John Deere dealer and NADF partner, Agcoms said its collaboration with the fund aligns with broader efforts to boost food production and enhance food security nationwide.

Chijioke said the initiative was recognised by the government as one of the 40 key milestones recorded during the first two years of the Tinubu administration.

Beyond equipment supply, Agcoms said the programme incorporates local assembly of the machinery in Nigeria, a move expected to facilitate skills transfer, create jobs and deepen the country’s long‑term technical capabilities in agricultural mechanisation.

The initiative also includes operator training, maintenance support and after‑sales services aimed at ensuring sustainability, maximising equipment utilisation and improving productivity across farming communities.

The company recalled that the mechanisation drive was first unveiled by Tinubu during his Independence Day address in October 2024, when he announced Federal Executive Council approval for the establishment of a local assembly plant for John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc ridgers, bottom ploughs and other agricultural equipment.

The project was conceived as part of a broader strategy to modernise agriculture, expand food production and strengthen national food security.

Commenting on the president’s Democracy Day 2026 remarks, Chijioke said the renewed national focus on mechanisation reflected growing recognition of the role technology and modern farming equipment play in building a more productive and competitive agricultural sector.

He described mechanisation as one of the most important productivity enablers in modern agriculture, stressing that successful implementation requires more than simply providing equipment.

According to him, sustainable outcomes can only be achieved when machinery deployment is supported by operator training, maintenance systems, financing solutions and dependable after‑sales services.

He said such an integrated approach would enable farmers to improve efficiency, increase output and contribute more effectively to national food‑security objectives.

Chijioke commended the federal government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural productivity, adding that Agcoms remains dedicated to supporting ongoing efforts to expand mechanisation across the country through technical expertise, equipment support and field experience.

He emphasised that sustainable mechanisation requires a long‑term framework that combines access to equipment with technical support, skills development and reliable maintenance structures to ensure investments continue to deliver value to farmers and rural communities.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to modern farm equipment, strengthening technical capacity and enhancing productivity throughout the agricultural sector.

Agcoms said its operations as an authorised John Deere dealership extend beyond equipment supply to include technical support, training, spare‑parts provision and after‑sales services designed to improve operational efficiency and productivity.

The company added that through its growing technical network and global partnerships, it is focused on supporting efforts to modernise agriculture and strengthen food‑production systems across the country.