The Federal Government has commenced training for 4,000 tractor operators as part of its nationwide agricultural mechanisation project, with private-sector technical partner AGCOMS International Trading Limited playing a key role.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with the National Agricultural Development Fund, AGCOMS International, and the Industrial Training Fund, launched a nationwide training programme to transform agriculture, boost food security, and create opportunities for young Nigerians.
The first group of 250 trainees began their intensive two-week residential training at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State on Monday. This inaugural batch is the first of 4,000 participants nationwide who will be trained to operate and maintain advanced John Deere tractors and other agricultural machinery.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the initiative as a tangible manifestation of the government’s dedication to food security.
He emphasised that the training programme directly reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to empower Nigerian farmers to take control of the nation’s food security. According to him, the provision of two thousand tractors constitutes a significant national investment, which, when coupled with the training of four thousand skilled operators, transforms this investment into a bountiful harvest.
Tractor safety, machine operations, hydraulics, field applications, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and equipment management are all covered in the comprehensive curriculum, which was created in collaboration between AGCOMS, NADF, and ITF.
Each trainee will receive a thorough John Deere operator’s manual created especially for the program, and participants who complete the programme will obtain jointly issued AGCOMS-ITF-NADF Certificates of Completion.
The Managing Director and CEO of AGCOMS International Trading Limited, Chijioke Okoli, discussed the company’s role in converting the Federal Government’s mechanisation vision into workable results.
‘At AGCOMS, we know that the value of a tractor is created by the person in the seat. Every new operator can become a professional with our training program. Delivering this with FMARD, NADF, and the ITF is an honour for us,’ he said.
The programme also showcases the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships to accelerate agricultural transformation. While FMARD provides overall policy leadership and NADF drives implementation of the mechanisation project, AGCOMS serves as the programme’s private-sector technical and operational partner, bringing global equipment expertise, operator training capability and after-sales support.
On his part, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Engr. Mohammed Abu Ibrahim described the exercise as another important milestone in implementing the Federal 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.’
The training programme demonstrates how strategic collaboration between government and the private sector can accelerate the delivery of national priorities. By combining FMARD’s policy leadership, NADF’s implementation mandate, AGCOMS’ technical and operational expertise and ITF’s nationally recognised training capability, the initiative is laying the human capital foundation for a modern, mechanised agricultural sector.
As implementation gathers momentum, the programme is expected to advance President Tinubu’s vision of increased food production, greater rural prosperity, expanded employment opportunities for young Nigerians and lasting national food security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.