BoA Targets Nationwide Mechanised Farming with Reps’ Backing

The Bank of Agriculture has proposed a strategic partnership with members of the House of Representatives to deploy mechanised farming infrastructure across all 360 federal constituencies in Nigeria.

The proposal was presented by the Managing Director of the Bank, Ayo Sotinriade, during plenary in Abuja, where he outlined a framework aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and addressing unemployment and insecurity nationwide.

Sotinriade said the initiative is designed to transition Nigeria’s agricultural system from subsistence-based practices to large-scale mechanised production, with a focus on improving efficiency and output.

“After purchasing the tractor, members will provide fenced land, and we will create a farming hub and a tractor booking service,” he said.

He added that participating constituencies would benefit from a range of integrated agricultural services, including access to farm inputs, irrigation systems, commodity aggregation, financial services, and extension support.

“Other services the constituency will enjoy are access to farm inputs, irrigation services, aggregation of commodities, provision of banking services for local farmers, as well as extension services to guarantee more than two tonnes per hectare,” he stated.

Under the proposed model, each lawmaker is expected to contribute 60 per cent of the cost of a tractor to be deployed within their constituency, while the Bank provides complementary support to operationalise the scheme. According to Sotinriade, a single tractor deployed under the programme has the capacity to cultivate up to 600 hectares of farmland annually.

The initiative aligns with broader federal efforts to strengthen agricultural financing and improve productivity across the value chain. The Federal Government recently approved a N250 billion funding facility for the Bank to expand access to credit for smallholder farmers at single-digit interest rates.

In addition, agricultural support institutions such as the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service are being positioned to enhance risk management, quality assurance, and access to export markets.

Data from the insurance corporation indicates that over 199,000 farmers have received risk coverage valued at approximately N700 billion within the past two years, reflecting ongoing efforts to mitigate agricultural risks and encourage investment in the sector.

Sotinriade noted that the proposed mechanisation programme could significantly improve farming cycles through the introduction of irrigation systems, enabling multiple planting seasons within a year.

He said, “Irrigation services under this programme will allow farmers to cultivate crops up to three times a year,” adding that the approach is expected to increase yields and stabilise food supply.

The Bank also highlighted the potential social impact of the initiative, noting that it could contribute to poverty reduction, job creation, and improved livelihoods, particularly in rural communities.

“We are thinking of this initiative as an enhancer, a catalyst to solving poverty and taking people off the social register,” Sotinriade said.

The programme is also expected to support vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons in conflict-affected states such as Borno and Benue, by providing access to structured farming systems and income-generating opportunities.

Stakeholders within the agricultural sector have identified mechanisation as a critical factor in addressing Nigeria’s low productivity levels, which have been largely attributed to reliance on manual farming methods and limited access to modern equipment.

The proposed collaboration between the Bank and lawmakers is expected to decentralise agricultural development by bringing mechanised farming infrastructure closer to local communities, while also strengthening coordination between public institutions and grassroots stakeholders.

While details of implementation timelines were not disclosed, the Bank indicated that the initiative would be rolled out in phases, subject to participation from lawmakers and availability of funding.

Analysts note that effective execution of the programme will depend on sustained funding, transparent coordination, and the ability to integrate complementary services such as logistics, storage, and market access.

The Bank maintained that the initiative represents a strategic intervention to unlock the country’s agricultural potential and drive inclusive economic growth through improved productivity and value chain development.