FCTA to boost tractor hiring scheme with tracking devices

By Hudu Yakubu Abuja

Following plans by authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, to revive the Tractor Hiring Scheme, the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) , Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim has revealed the intention of the Secretariat to take adequate security measures to track the movement of tractors to ensure that they are not taken outside the FCT.

The Secretary made this disclosure during an interaction with Agric Field Engineers at the ARDS Central Workshop in Gwagwalada.

He however, expressed concerns of the Administration in floating the scheme, which he noted has not been successful in the past.

The Administration, according to him is aware of the critical role the provision of the tractors can play in boosting food production which is why it has made provisions in the 2022 budget to procure a total of 12 tractors, which will be fitted with tracking devices to monitor the use and locations of the tractors ensuring that FCT farmers benefit from the programme.

Abubakar further assured that the Secretariat will be looking into the provision of other Agricultural machineries to farmers as a strategy to improve food production and guarantee food security.

According to the,“The Administration is not only looking into the provision of the tractors but also other Agricultural machineries that will enhance productivity.”

“We are equally aware of the need for maintenance which is why we will be investing in training our engineers to ensure that all our inputs and machineries are efficiently managed”.

On his part, the Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mustapha Adamu Danze described the visit to the central worksop as an eye opener for the Council, which he assured will be keying into the initiative by the Secretariat.