FG to establish training centres for farm managers

THE Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed its plans to establish farm management training centres across the geo-political zones of the country for improved farm productivity.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made this disclosure at the unveiling of the John Deere SMART model farm in Abuja.

He further said that John Deere Tractor Manufacturers would be engaged to offer capacity building to interested persons to realize optimum yields and increased productivity in their farm operations.

The Minister noted that the triangle of cooperation between John Deere, Nigerian Agricultural Mechanization and Equipment Leasing Company is the way to go for mechanized farming to encourage youths to embrace agriculture.

According to him, “the old have to give way to the youths, as they need to farm to feed themselves.’’

Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Minister on Mechanization, Dr. Ahmed Adekunle noted that the Partnership between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) with John Deere through the NAMEL is an initiative of the Honourable Minister that has come to reality to deliver on the farm mechanization programme of the Federal Government, while explaining that this initiative is aimed at increasing production per hectare and attracting financing provided by John Deere to the Ministry.

The Managing Director of John Deere Sub-Sahara Africa noted that the John Deere SMART model being introduced into the country is an eco-system approach that focuses on improving yields of the smallholder farmers.