In a bid to revolutionize agriculture in Nigeria, the federal government has approved N30 billion for the nation’s 30 universities of agriculture to commence mechanized farming.
This move is expected to transform the agricultural sector and make Nigeria a major player in global food production.
According to Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, each university will receive N1 billion to kick-start the initiative.
Dr. Alausa made this announcement on Tuesday in Abuja while declaring open a retreat for pro-chancellors of federal universities.
The minister emphasized the need for universities of agriculture to focus on their core mandate and desist from running programs unrelated to their established purposes.
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This, he believes, will enable them to make meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural development.
The mechanized farming initiative is part of the government’s efforts to modernize agriculture and make it more productive.
Similar initiatives have been launched in the past, including the procurement of 2,000 tractors and other farm equipment under the National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme.