Nigeria TV Info

FMAFS: New National Policy on Agricultural Mechanisation to Transform Nigeria’s Farming Sector

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has said the proposed National Policy on Agricultural Mechanisation will provide a comprehensive roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector once it is approved.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Marcus Ogunbiyi, made this known at a two-day validation workshop on the policy held on Tuesday in Ilorin. Represented by Sule Majeed, Director of the Federal Department of Agricultural Mechanisation, he explained that the draft policy was developed through extensive national consultations with stakeholders and experts.

Ogunbiyi highlighted that Nigeria’s agricultural mechanisation rate remains significantly below global standards. “Our mechanisation rate stands at a mere 0.27 horsepower (hp) per hectare, compared to the FAO recommendation of 1.5 hp/ha. More than 78 percent of farm power still comes from human muscle, 15 percent from animals, and only 7 percent from mechanical sources,” he said.