BoA proposes 1.2m-hectare mechanised farming plan with lawmakers

The Bank of Agriculture has proposed a nationwide partnership with the House of Representatives to accelerate mechanised farming across 1.2 million hectares in the country’s 360 federal constituencies, in a move aimed at boosting food production and tackling rural poverty.

The Managing Director of the bank, Ayo Sotinriade, unveiled the initiative during a presentation on the floor of the House at Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja.

Speaking with journalists shortly after, Sotinriade said the programme is designed to increase agricultural productivity, create jobs, reduce hunger and address some of the structural drivers of insecurity.

He noted that, if implemented at scale, the plan would mark a shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, positioning Nigeria as a net food exporter.

At the core of the proposal is a cost-sharing model involving lawmakers. Sotinriade explained that each member of the House would contribute 60 per cent of the cost of a tractor to be deployed within their constituency for use by local farmers.

Providing insight into its potential impact, he said a single tractor can mechanise a minimum of five hectares per hour and up to 600 hectares annually. With a projected rollout of 2,000 tractors nationwide, the scheme could cover as much as 1.2 million hectares each year.

He described the initiative as a practical way to deliver modern farming tools directly to grassroots farmers.

“Once a member acquires the tractor, they will also provide secure land where we will establish a farming hub, alongside a tractor booking system to ensure efficient usage,” he said.

According to him, the proposed hubs will function as integrated service centres, giving farmers access to inputs, irrigation, aggregation facilities, financial services and extension support.

He added that the intervention is expected to significantly improve yields, targeting output levels of more than two tonnes per hectare.

Sotinriade further explained that the irrigation component would enable year-round farming, allowing for at least three production cycles annually.

“If this is achieved, it will go a long way in lifting people out of multidimensional poverty, improving livelihoods, and reducing insecurity driven by unemployment and low incomes,” he said.

He emphasised that the initiative is conceived as a vehicle for economic inclusion, capable of reducing the number of Nigerians on the social register by creating sustainable income opportunities.

The BoA boss also noted that internally displaced persons, particularly in states such as Borno and Benue, could benefit significantly through improved access to farming tools and structured support systems, aiding their reintegration.

The push for mechanised agriculture in Nigeria has gained urgency in recent years as the country grapples with rising food inflation, low farm productivity and increasing rural insecurity.

Despite vast arable land estimated at over 30 million hectares, Nigeria remains heavily dependent on manual farming, with smallholder farmers accounting for the bulk of food production.

Industry data suggests that tractor density in Nigeria is among the lowest globally, with fewer than one tractor per 1,000 hectares, compared to significantly higher levels in emerging agricultural economies.

This gap has continued to limit yields and efficiency, leaving farmers vulnerable to climate shocks and labour shortages.

Successive governments have introduced programmes to promote mechanisation, but implementation has been uneven, often constrained by funding gaps, poor maintenance culture and limited access at the community level.

In recent years, the Federal Government has renewed its focus on agriculture as part of efforts to diversify the economy away from oil, with institutions like the Bank of Agriculture expected to play a central role in financing and supporting farmers.

However, the BoA has faced its own challenges, including undercapitalisation and limited operational reach.

Calls for its recapitalisation and restructuring have intensified, with policymakers and stakeholders pushing for a more agile institution capable of driving large-scale agricultural transformation.

Sotinriade’s proposal signals an attempt to reposition the bank as a frontline driver of mechanisation by leveraging the constituency reach of lawmakers to deliver assets and services directly to rural communities.

With food security concerns mounting and pressure growing to create jobs for Nigeria’s expanding population, the success of such a partnership could prove critical in reshaping the country’s agricultural landscape.