The Federal Government has begun discussions with Springfield Agro Limited to develop long-term financing arrangements to expand Nigeria’s agricultural mechanisation programme as part of efforts to strengthen food production and achieve food sufficiency.

The plan is focused on improving access to farm machinery across all 774 local government areas in the country, with the aim of reducing the high upfront cost burden faced by farmers and increasing overall agricultural productivity.

The initiative is aligned with the government’s agricultural development agenda to expand mechanised farming systems and improve efficiency across Nigeria’s food production chain.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said the country’s goal of sustainable food security cannot be achieved without a fully integrated agricultural system that combines production, processing, and mechanisation.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Afcott Grains Sesame and Grains Processing Facility in Kano State, Shettima, who was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said food production must be supported by strong processing systems to ensure value addition.

He said mechanisation must be backed by financing, while government policy must work alongside private-sector investment and confidence to drive long-term agricultural transformation.

He described the commissioning of the Afcott Grains facility as a major step in Nigeria’s industrial agricultural development strategy.

“Not merely the inauguration of an industrial plant but a clear statement of the present administration’s resolve toward food sufficiency, value addition, and agro-industrial transformation.”

Shettima said the location of the facility in Kano State reflects its strategic importance as a major agricultural and commercial hub in Nigeria, adding that it will strengthen the agricultural value chain, improve export competitiveness, raise farmers’ incomes, and create jobs.

He commended the Kewalram Chanrai Group for its long-standing investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, describing it as a key private-sector partner in driving agro-industrial growth.

He also referenced earlier investments by Springfield Agro, noting that the company has played a significant role in strengthening Nigeria’s agro-input supply chain.

He explained that the commissioning builds on previous developments, including the Springfield Agro Crop Protection Chemical Plant, which has produced over 15 million litres of crop protection products since its launch, helping reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported agro-inputs.

“Taken together, these investments represent a deliberate industrial strategy reinforcing our agricultural ecosystem,” Shettima said.

He added that agricultural transformation depends on three key areas: inputs, mechanisation, and processing. While input production and processing capacity are expanding, he said, mechanisation remains critical for scaling agricultural productivity nationwide.

He further noted that Springfield Agro Limited has operated a Mahindra Tractor Assembly Plant in Nigeria for over two decades, contributing to the country’s mechanisation efforts and supporting the expansion of modern farming systems.

The ongoing engagement between the Federal Government and Springfield Agro is expected to strengthen financing options for mechanised agriculture and support broader efforts to boost food production across the country.

Source: The Sun