The Federal Government has approved a $1 billion agriculture mechanization programme that will set up 1000 agro-sector service providers across the country with tractors.
Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, announced this at the end of the National Executive Council presided over by Vice President, Kashim Shettima in Abuja
Kyari, who joined the governors of Imo, Kano and Kogi to brief correspondents, explained: “We’ll have a minimum of 2000 tractors a year for the next five years and all other aggregation of agricultural commodities is going to be utilized at least nothing less than 600,000 youths to man these 1000 service centers.”
He said the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Tuesday, noting that the elaborate plan will be rolled out as soon as it is feasible.
The minister said an arrangement with John Deere and Tata is to provide 2000 tractors before the end of the year.
According to him, the Greener Imperative Project, which he said is still in the works, is a €950 million project that will soon be unveiled.
Kyari noted that a deal is being anticipated with Belarus Tractors to supply 2000 tractors per year for the next five years, with 9000 implements and spare parts, among others.
Kyari also said that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in 200,000 metric tons of red meat every year and 1 million tonnes of soya from Nigeria.
“We have already last week had a meeting with our entrepreneurs and we have come out with a roadmap where we can supply and satisfy that demand.
“We are looking at partnership with foreign governments, not necessarily trying to ask them to come and invest, but asking them what can we produce so that we can sell to you so that we can earn foreign exchange,” he added.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State said that the NEC directed the sub committee of crude oil theft to provide comprehensive recommendations to end the menace during the next meeting.
He said even though the sub committee was expected to submit its report during Thursday’s meeting, “it was inconclusive.”
Governor of Kano, Abba Yusufon his par announced the constitution of the board of the Niger Delta Power Holding, which he said had operated for a long time without a supervising board.
He revealed that it is made up of governors of Borno, Katsina, Imo, Ekiti, Kwara, and Akwa Ibom states representing the different geo-political zones.
The minister of finance and coordinating minister for the economy, Wale Edun briefed on the activation of the Presidential food systems coordinating unit chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
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