The federal government yesterday commenced the training of 4,000 tractor operators under its national agricultural mechanisation project, with the first batch of 250 trainees beginning a two-week residential programme at CSS Farms, Nasarawa State.
The programme is being coordinated 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 is designed to provide the skilled workforce required to operate and maintain 2,000 modern John Deere tractors and agricultural implements being deployed under the government's mechanisation project.
The minister of agriculture and food security, Abubakar Kyari, said the training was a practical demonstration of the administration's commitment to food security, noting that equipment alone would not guarantee increased production without skilled operators.
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"This training programme is a direct expression of the federal government's commitment to putting Nigerian farmers in charge of Nigerian food security. Two thousand tractors is a national investment. Four thousand well-trained operators is what turns that investment into a harvest," Kyari said.
The training combines classroom instruction and practical sessions covering tractor safety, machine operation, hydraulics, field applications, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and equipment management. Successful participants will receive jointly issued AGCOMS-ITF-NADF certificates and John Deere operator manuals.
AGCOMS, the project's private-sector technical and operational partner, developed the curriculum, manuals and deployed experienced instructors. The company is also providing equipment support, assembly, delivery and warranty services.
AGCOMS managing-director, Chijioke Okoli, said the programme was designed to ensure that the value of the tractors translated into improved agricultural productivity.
"At AGCOMS, we know that the value of a tractor is created by the person in the seat. Our training programme has been built to turn every new operator into a professional. We are honoured to deliver this alongside FMARD, NADF and the ITF," Okoli said.
ITF director-general, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said skills development was essential to building a modern agricultural economy.
"The Industrial Training Fund is committed to ensuring that this programme meets the highest standards of technical training in Nigeria. Certified operators are the backbone of a modern agricultural economy," Ogun said.
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Also speaking, NADF executive-director, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, described the training as another milestone in the government's agricultural transformation agenda.
"Every operator who completes this programme will step onto their tractor with the confidence, the skill, and the safety discipline that the equipment deserves. NADF is proud to see this milestone delivered on time and in partnership with credible institutions," Ibrahim said.
