Anambra State government said on Thursday that it had provided 150 tractors to boost farmers’ productivity in the state as they prepare their land for 2017 wet season farming.
Afam Mbanefo, Anambra state commissioner for Agriculture said the tractors’ provision was part of the state efforts to promote mechanised farming.
Mbanefo in an interview said that the tractors would be hired to farmers at subsidised rates.
“We have over 150 tractors that have been fixed and ready for hiring by farmers to engage in mechanized farming this season.
“They are being hired at affordable amount and since the rain has started on time this season there is hope for bountiful harvest,” Mbanefo said.
The commissioner stated that to ensure that the tractors remain operational; the state government engaged trained engineers to service and maintain them.
“Now that we have these tractors in place, we have engaged the services of trained engineers to be on standby to service them whenever anyone of them breaks down.
“In so doing, we want to make sure that the tractors are always in working condition for farmers to use,” he added.
When measured in 2003, 12 years ago, Nigeria had only 30,000 tractors. African largest economy is currently adding 1,000 new ones each year, which is still not considered sufficient in replacing the aging, worn out, and broken down ones.
This means on a per capita basis, Nigeria ranks 132nd out of the 188 countries worldwide measured by FAO / United Nations in terms of the number of tractors in the country.
