LarryBravo Nwaiwu

The Enugu State Government has received 100 out of the 1,000 tractors ordered by the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, to boost agriculture in the state.

Another batch of 100 is also underway, while the remaining 800 will be assembled at the new Nortra Tractor Assembly Plant and Service Centre established by ODK Group, Danish firm.

Conducting newsmen on an inspection of the tractors in Enugu on Monday, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Mr. Patrick Ubru, said this was in fulfilment of Governor Mbah’s earlier promise to mechanise agriculture in the state, boost food production, create jobs, and drive the state’s GDP to $30 billion by 2031.

According to Ubru: “What you’re seeing here is a fulfillment of Governor Mbha’s manifesto on mechanising agriculture and ensuring that the agriculture sector in Enugu State takes a different shape and also ensuring that we increase our productivity up to 200 folds by ensuring that Enugu becomes the food basket of Nigeria. This can only be done through mechanisation.

“We have received 100 heads of tractors imported from Denmark through the Notra Tractors Company. Apart from the 100 we just received, they have assured us that in the next 60 to 90 days, another 100 will be delivered to the state, while the balance of 800 tractors will be assembled here in Enugu. We have also seen the implements that will accompany those tractors to the farm.

“The tractors have been tested at the farm estate in Akpawfu, Nkanu East Local Government Area. This model has an engine capacity of 75 horsepower and we have assurance that if we encounter difficult terrains, the company can increase the capacity to 90 horsepower”, he stated.

The commissioner explained that the Assembly Plant would have two production lines capable of assembling 10 tractors per day, with another section dedicated to practical training of tractor operators, adding that to ensure sustainability, the plant would also have a service centre for tractor repair and maintenance.

The Commissioner said the Assembly Plant alone will create 3,600 jobs.

Ubru also observed that the tractors would be made accessible to farmers, stressing that the government’s aim was to empower farmers and make agriculture attractive and profitable.

“A lot of job opportunities for our young people and a lot of value will be created. Prior to this time, our small holder farmers as well as commercial farmers found it difficult to apply mechanization process in their farm and that also hindered productivity. Going forward, tractors will be made accessible to farmers, farming will be easier and an attractive profitable business and no longer merely to satisfy subsistence needs.

Reiterating that the government was in the process of establishing 260 farm estates across the state, the Commissioner said that the estates would provide services for the small holder farmers and serve as centres where tractors could be easily accessed.

“The farm estate is going to be a one-stop-shop that will provide a lot of services for our small holder farmers. Each farm estate will have 200 farmers where we will provide mechanised services. This translates to 52,000 direct jobs. The farm estate will have a tractor shade housing the tractors so that the farmers can get the services of a tractor when they need it. We will have improved seedlings extended to the farmers, and the extension workers in each of the farm estate will provide extension services to the farmers”, he stated.

The commissioner further said that the Ministry of Agriculture was working out the modalities to enable the farmers to access the tractors in time before the next farming season commences in the state in the next two weeks.

Also speaking, the Chairman of All-Farmers Association in the state, Chief Romanus Anayo Eze expressed delight at the new tractors, saying the state had never seen such a large number of tractors.

“I thank Governor Peter Mbah for fulfilling his campaign promises, unlike others in the past, who would tell us they would do this and that, but they won’t fulfil it.

“When the governor said he would make provision for 1,000 tractors in the state, myself in particular and others doubted it. But what we are seeing today is different. For the first time, Enugu is procuring 100 tractors. We are so excited and farmers of Enugu State are happy.

“Since this year, farmers have been calling to ask for tractors, but today, with this, everyone is smiling and happy over this big development.

“This farming season, we are going to be farming with brand new tractors. So, I am happy because these are new ones that won’t break down.

“Before now, we did not have up to four tractors in the Ministry of Agriculture. Before now, some of those tractors could not leave the Ministry to the farm without breaking down on the way. That was what was obtainable before.

“Our promise is that with these tractors, there will be food sufficiency in Enugu State. There will be employment. Most of our youths will be gainfully employed through the farm estates he establishing in the 260 wards”, he said.