Nigerian steps up plans to import 10,000 tractors from Brazil under its 2022 agricultural programme

NIGERIA'S federal government is planning to buy 10,000 tractors from Brazil as part of a comprehensive programme to boost agriculture across the country that involves the establishment of cattle grazing reserves and mega plantations.

Under the plan, the government is proposing to establish model grazing reserves in selected states of the country next year. They are to be set aside for by pastoralists under a Rural Grazing Reserves National Life Transformation Programme, aimed at putting an end to incessant clashes between farmers and herders.

As part of the programme, farmers will also be given tractors to enable them expand cultivation as part of a commercial farming scheme. With no local production taking place, these tractors will be imported from Brazil, assembled in Nigeria and distributed to local farmers nationwide to boost their productivity.

Mohammed Abubakar, Nigeria's minister of agriculture and rural development, appeared before the House of Representatives’ Joint Committee on Agricultural Production and Services this week to defend the plan. Appearing to defend the 2022 budget, Mr Abubakar said the ministry will establish model grazing reserves in selected states and establish special agro-industrial processing zones in conjunction with the African Development Bank in seven states.

He added that the ministry would also implement the Green Imperative Project in collaboration with the Brazilian government that seeks to provide 10,000 units of tractors 50,000 units of assorted implements and equipment to be assembled in the country. He also said the government would next year expedite the recapitalisation of two agricultural-related banks.

Mr Abubakar said: “The ministry will launch the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Plan 2021-2024 and implement phase one of agricultural mechanisation in 632 primary service centres and 142 secondary processing centres across the country. We will also fast-track the recapitalisation of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation and Bank of Agriculture in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the finance ministry and the Bureau of Public Enterprise.

He added that a total sum of N291.416bn was proposed for the agricultural sector in 2022, out of which N71.840bn was meant for personnel cost. Mr Abubakar stressed that N3.704bn was proposed as overhead costs, while the sum of N215.872bn was meant for capital projects and programmes.