NADF graduates 250 agricultural mechanisation service providers

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has recently completed the first cohort of nearly 250 individuals who underwent training through the National Agricultural Mechanisation Service Providers Training Programme. This initiative aims to enhance technical expertise and ensure the long-term viability of agricultural machinery deployment in Nigeria.

In the initial phase, participants from all six geopolitical zones were trained in tractor operation, maintenance, and service delivery. Mohammed Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of NADF, emphasized that the graduation symbolized a crucial step in the federal government's strategy to modernize agriculture through mechanization, innovation, and human capital development.

The training covered a broad range of subjects including machinery management, occupational safety, and environmental sustainability. The program's goal extends beyond mere technical skills, aiming to instill professionalism, enterprise mindset, and operational discipline among participants. These graduates will be added to a national database, which will foster confidence among public and private investors in agricultural machinery.

Ibrahim highlighted that the sustainability of mechanization should be measured by equipment's operational efficiency, not just by the number of units procured. The NADF is also working on addressing other challenges in the agricultural sector, such as supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening research institutions. Abdullahi Mohammed, President of the Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria, praised NADF's initiative, noting the importance of training for all stakeholders involved in agricultural mechanization.