Nigeria Takes Bold Steps To Avert Hunger Crisis as Federal Gov. Launches Groundbreaking Agricultural Mechanism Programme (GHAPP)

Amid warnings from the United Nations that 82 million Nigerians, or about 64 percent of the population, could face hunger by 2030, the Federal Government has embarked on a mission to prevent a looming food crisis.

In a decisive move, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the Greener Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, a transformative initiative aimed at securing the nation’s food supply and driving economic development.

Spearheaded by Origin Tech Group with significant contributions from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the programme is poised to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. Announcing the launch, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the initiative’s potential to be a game-changer in the country’s pursuit of food sufficiency and economic resilience.

The FEC gave its nod to the programme on June 25, 2024, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency on food security. This ambitious initiative targets the cultivation of 500,000 hectares of arable land, the introduction of cutting-edge agricultural technologies, and a significant push towards agro-industrialization.

Additionally, it aims to foster youth involvement in agriculture, with the ultimate goal of achieving food security, creating jobs, and promoting rural prosperity to counteract urban migration.

Central to the programme’s implementation is the establishment of modern agricultural mechanisation service centres and hubs across 37 farming clusters nationwide. These centres will be outfitted with state-of-the-art machinery for precision farming, mechanization, and agribusiness, all provided by Origin Tech Group through its subsidiary, Origin Automobile Works. The company, renowned for its focus on large-scale agricultural mechanisation, plans to manufacture tractors annually and set up mechanisation equipment enterprise centres across the country, drawing on technical expertise from South Korea, Taiwan, and Brazil.

The programme’s financing will be secured through private sector funding, with the Federal Government contributing a 20 percent upfront counterpart fund.

Additionally, the project will benefit from duty exemptions and pioneer status, facilitated by the Federal Ministries of Finance and Agriculture and Food Security.

Execution of the Greener Hope programme will be a collaborative effort involving various ministries, departments, and agencies, each playing a specific role. State governments and the Federal Capital Territory Authority are expected to make significant investments in agricultural mechanisation and service centres, focusing on 150,000 hectares spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The project’s financing will be repaid over a 10-year period through revenues generated from the operations of the planned farm estates and mechanisation services.

A key component of the programme is the training of youths, conducted by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the National Security Adviser. This initiative will re-engage young Nigerians in agriculture by providing them with comprehensive training on modern agricultural equipment and techniques. The programme also includes the creation of a digital gateway for tractor hailing and recruitment, developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications.

The initiative will deploy a range of advanced agricultural equipment, including high-powered tractors, dozers, sprayers, planters, drones, and large-scale silos. Infrastructure such as equipment centres, data centers, and spare parts shops will be established to ensure the effective management and maintenance of the machinery.

Designed to be both replicable and sustainable, the programme will initially focus on large-scale farms, which will serve as models for smaller farms. These smaller farms will receive technical support and resources, thereby expanding the programme’s reach. The involvement of international partners like Campo Brazil will bring valuable expertise and bolster the initiative’s success.

The Greener Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme represents a historic and strategic response to Nigeria’s food security challenges. As a national emergency campaign, it marks the first time the Federal Government is leveraging a private sector approach to meet a critical public need.

By promoting advanced mechanisation, enhancing productivity, and engaging youth and women, the programme aims to secure Nigeria’s food future and catalyze economic growth. The collaborative efforts of various ministries, state governments, and international partners will be crucial in realizing this vision and ensuring a prosperous future for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.