By Fatima Muraina
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Farmers have applauded the government plan to procure 10,000 tractors, which they said is a good development that will boost agriculture and food sustenance.
The President of Farmers Congress and the Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Mr Abayomi Monilari the Federal government should collaborate with farmers to make it a huge success.
“If they are sincere and do away with politics we would benefit out of it.
The state Chairman of Ondo state Agricultural Commodities Association OSACA, Mr. Gbenga Obaweya noted that the programme has been in the pipeline which if materialized, will improve mechanisation of agriculture in the state.
According to him, the development will reduce the number of farmers to one tractor of what it is now which he said was very bad.
” We can say we have a ratio of one tractor to 15 to 20,000 farmers and availability of the tractors will drastically reduce the burden.
Obaweya said farmers are expecting a tractor to between 20 to 50 commercial farmers and it would be a success, if they are serious about commercial agriculture.
“Availability is one thing, affordability is another because it depends on the scheme that the federal government wants to operate,” he said.
The state Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mr Ogunmolawa Adewale appreciated government for partnering Brazil on tractors to ease farmers’ burden.
Adewale who also coordinates the activities of the youths including agriculture, promised to promote government activities through agriculture.
He said the projection is to bring youth into agriculture believing that it is the area to sustain the community since there is no job opportunity for the youths.
