Zamfara Approves N6.27bn for Agricultural Mechanisation Programme

The Zamfara State Executive Council has approved n6.271 billion for the procurement of tractors, agricultural equipment and the establishment of an Agricultural Mechanisation Hub (Agri-Hub) in Gusau.

The state government disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, after the 13th Executive Council meeting, where the approval was granted.

According to the statement, the investment is part of Zamfara’s participation in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, aimed at improving access to modern farming equipment and boosting agricultural productivity.

The approved funds will cover the procurement of 100 tractors, made up of 50 units of 81 Horsepower (2WD) tractors and 50 units of 90 Horsepower (2WD) tractors, as well as 100 tractor trackers, 100 disc harrows, 100 disc ploughs and 100 disc ridgers.

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The programme also includes the establishment of an Agri-Hub in Gusau, which will serve as the operational centre for the deployment, maintenance and management of the agricultural machinery.

The state government said the Council approved n6,251,025,000 for the purchase of the tractors, agricultural implements and construction of the Agri-Hub, with an additional n20 million allocated for documentation and other implementation logistics.

The initiative, facilitated through the Bank of Agriculture and approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, provides participating states with access to agricultural machinery at a 40 per cent subsidy.

The statement noted that agriculture remains central to Zamfara’s economy, adding that the programme aligns with Governor Dauda Lawal’s commitment to transforming the sector through mechanisation.

“The Executive Council observed that agriculture remains the backbone of Zamfara State’s economy and the primary means of livelihood for a large proportion of its population,” the statement said.

The government added that the initiative is expected to improve farmers’ productivity, increase food production and strengthen food security across the state.

It said the Agri-Hub will provide mechanisation services, farm input distribution, commodity aggregation and storage facilities, extension services, farmers’ training, market linkages and digital financial services.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, the tractors will operate under a pay-as-you-service model, allowing farmers to access mechanised farming services at affordable rates while generating funds for maintenance and future replacement of equipment.

The state government said the programme would help reduce the cost of land preparation, expand cultivated farmland and create employment opportunities across the agricultural value chain.

“The Council expressed confidence that the initiative will reduce the cost of land preparation, improve the timeliness of farming operations, expand cultivated farmland, boost food production, strengthen food security and create employment opportunities for tractor operators, mechanics, technicians and other participants in the agricultural value chain,” the statement added.

As part of the implementation process, the Executive Council directed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to allocate suitable land in Gusau for the Agri-Hub, while the Ministry of Agriculture was mandated to work with the Bank of Agriculture and other relevant agencies to complete necessary documentation.