The Federal Government has begun training 4,000 tractor operators as part of its national agricultural mechanisation programme aimed at improving food production, promoting modern farming and creating technical job opportunities for young Nigerians.
The programme is being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) in partnership with AGCOMS International Trading Limited and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
The initiative supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on transforming agriculture and driving economic growth.
The first group of 250 trainees started a two-week residential programme on Monday at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State. They are the first set of participants to receive specialised training in operating and maintaining John Deere tractors and other farm equipment provided under the Federal Government’s mechanisation programme.
Read Also: customs-shifts-to-yearly-enlistment-starting-2026
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the training is an important step in the government’s efforts to strengthen food security through increased mechanised farming.
According to him, purchasing 2,000 tractors is a major investment, but ensuring there are skilled operators to use and maintain the machines is equally important to achieving higher agricultural productivity.
Kyari said the programme is designed to help farmers benefit from modern farming equipment while also giving young Nigerians practical skills that can improve their employment prospects. He added that the training will support the growth of agricultural mechanisation services across the country.
The training curriculum, developed by AGCOMS, NADF and ITF, combines classroom lessons with practical field experience. Participants are being trained in tractor safety, equipment operation, hydraulic systems, field applications, preventive maintenance, fault diagnosis and machinery management.
At the end of the programme, successful participants will receive certificates jointly issued by AGCOMS, ITF and NADF. Each trainee will also be given a John Deere operator’s manual prepared specifically for the training.
