By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the failure to deliver 2,000 tractors and 100 combined harvesters under the Presidential Food Security Initiative and Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Drive, despite a signed N3bn agreement.
The House also resolved to investigate a separate N138.61 billion agreement between the Federal Government and AFTRADE DMCC for establishing a tractor assembly plant in Nigeria.
This resolution was sequel to a motion by Rep. Saba Adam, lawmaker representing Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency of Kwara State, on Tuesday at plenary.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared a state of emergency on food security shortly after assuming office, emphasising agricultural mechanization as essential for boosting food production and addressing rising hunger caused by food inflation.
Debating the motion, Rep. Adam explained that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security entered into an agreement with John Deere Tractors to supply 2,000 tractors with implements and 100 combined harvesters annually, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda for increased food security.
“The contract for the tractor assembly plant in Nigeria was valued at $70.042m (N3bn), covering equipment costs, sales, after-sales services, spare parts, and training for mechanized service providers,” Adam noted.
He further highlighted that the Ministry also signed a five-year agreement with AFTRADE DMCC for a tractor assembly plant expected to produce 2,000 Belarus tractors and 9,022 agricultural implements annually, costing Nigeria $684.19m (N138.61bn) for equipment, delivery, and assembly.
The lawmaker argued that these agreements promised significant benefits, including increased agricultural production, technology transfer, and reduced foreign exchange spending on imported equipment due to local production.
He however, expressed concerns that no tractors or implements had been delivered, despite the agreements being signed over a year ago.
“The absence of these tractors and implements undermines the Renewed Hope Agenda for agricultural mechanization and delays Nigeria’s food sufficiency goals, with two farming seasons already lost,” he stated.
The House unanimously adopted the motion, and mandated its Committee on Agricultural Production and Services to investigate the non-delivery of the tractors and harvesters, as well as the status of the proposed assembly plants; and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.