Mechanised Farming Plan Proposed by BoA
The Bank of Agriculture has proposed a nationwide partnership with the House of Representatives to accelerate mechanised farming across 1.2 million hectares in the country’s 360 federal constituencies. The plan is designed to increase agricultural productivity, create jobs, reduce hunger, and address some of the structural drivers of insecurity.
## Cost-Sharing Model
The proposal involves a cost-sharing model where each member of the House would contribute 60% of the cost of a tractor to be deployed within their constituency for use by local farmers. A single tractor can mechanise a minimum of five hectares per hour and up to 600 hectares annually.
## Projected Impact
With a projected rollout of 2,000 tractors nationwide, the scheme could cover as much as 1.2 million hectares each year. The proposed hubs will function as integrated service centres, giving farmers access to inputs, irrigation, aggregation facilities, financial services, and extension support.
## Expected Outcomes
The intervention is expected to significantly improve yields, targeting output levels of more than two tonnes per hectare. The irrigation component would enable year-round farming, allowing for at least three production cycles annually.