Soon the government at the federal and state levels will no longer need to go to any foreign company, putting pressure on the country’s foreign reserve to import tractors to the country. This is because by next year it will be possible to purchase tractors locally. The hope towards this end was raised by the Enugu State government recently.
Governor Peter Mbah pledged that 1,000 tractors will be produced annually beginning from next year at the local assembly in the state. To enhance that promise, Governor Mbah said that 300 tractors will be ready before the end of this year.Governor Peter Mbah made this disclosure while hosting the newly elected President of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in Enugu.
To start with, the initiative will help the state to easily access the all-important farm input, just as it will boost the economy of the state when neighbouring states find solace in the procurement of the tractors locally. Mr. Mbah said the initiative was part of his administration’s broader strategy to boost its economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion and ensure food security.
He said, “Our administration is fully committed to making Enugu a business hub. We have just signed an agreement with a Danish company to manufacture tractors locally, and by the end of this year, we expect over 300 tractors to be assembled. Our goal is to scale this up to 1,000 tractors by the end of 2025. This initiative means farmers in Enugu won’t need to import machinery, as we will produce everything locally,” Mbah stated.
The governor noted that over 300,000 hectares of land have been secured in the state’s landbank, further supporting the state’s agricultural development initiatives.
He further stressed the administration’s focus on value addition in agriculture, emphasising plans to establish Special Processing Zones to boost the processing of agricultural products and avoid exporting raw materials.
“We are not just focusing on production but on value addition as well. We are creating processing zones where agricultural products can be processed locally, ensuring that we capture the added value and grow our economy more sustainably,” he added.
Mbah also outlined measures being taken to improve infrastructure, including urban and rural roads, power, and water supply, alongside continued investments in security to create a conducive environment for business and agriculture. The government has already completed 71 urban roads and has awarded contracts for an additional 141 roads, with a focus on enhancing access to farmlands as part of its ambitious agricultural plans.
