The Bank of Agriculture (BoA) has proposed a strategic partnership with members of the House of Representatives to drive large-scale mechanisation of arable land across Nigeria’s 360 federal constituencies.
The Managing Director of the bank, Ayo Sotinriade, unveiled the proposal during a presentation on the floor of the House at Tuesday’s plenary session in Abuja.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the presentation, Sotinriade said the initiative is designed to boost agricultural productivity, create jobs, reduce hunger, and address some of the underlying drivers of insecurity across the country.
He noted that, if fully implemented, the programme would mark a decisive shift from subsistence farming to commercial-scale agriculture, positioning Nigeria as a net exporter of food.
Sotinriade explained that the model would require each lawmaker to contribute 60 per cent of the cost of a tractor, which would be stationed 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 deployment of 2,000 tractors nationwide, the initiative could cover as much as 1.2 million hectares of farmland each year.
He described the scheme as one of the most effective ways to reach grassroots farmers across the country, ensuring that modern farming tools and services are accessible at the community level.
“Once a member acquires the tractor, they will also provide secured 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 serve as integrated agricultural service centres, offering farmers access to essential inputs, irrigation systems, produce aggregation, 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 of the programme would enable farmers to cultivate all year round, with the potential for at least three farming 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 catalyst 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 (IDPs), particularly in states such as Borno and Benue, stand to benefit significantly from the programme, as it could provide a pathway to economic reintegration and self-reliance.
