Nasarawa Govt Hails Launch of Mechanisation Hub, Tractor Rollout by Hello Tractor and Heifer Nigeria

• Nasarawa State Government has applauded Hello Tractor and Heifer Nigeria for launching a mechanisation hub and distributing 10 modern tractors to farmers
• The initiative, powered by a Pay-As-You-Go model and IoT technology, aims to modernise agriculture and empower smallholder farmers and rural youth
• Officials say the project will boost food production, create rural jobs, and serve as a scalable model for agricultural transformation across Africa

The Nasarawa State Government has commended Hello Tractor and Heifer International Nigeria for launching a state-of-the-art mechanisation hub in Lafia and officially distributing 10 modern tractors to smallholder farmers in the state.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony this week, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Umar Tanko Tunga, described the initiative as a “transformative leap” towards modernising agriculture and boosting rural development.

“This is more than a tractor handover,” said Tunga. “It is the deliberate construction of a new future for our farmers, our youth, and our rural economies.”

A new path for modern farming

The newly launched mechanisation hub operates under an innovative Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) model powered by Hello Tractor’s Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

The model aims to make tractor access more affordable and equitable, particularly for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Nigeria’s food production.

Tunga highlighted the urgent need to move away from traditional farming tools and embrace mechanisation to meet the food demands of Nigeria’s growing population.

“Our smallholder farmers cultivate 80% of our food, yet most of them still use hoes and cutlasses,” he said. “In a country of over 200 million people, mechanisation must become the engine of inclusive growth.”

Private sector leads the charge

Dr. Nneka Enwonwu, Country Managing Director of Hello Tractor Nigeria, noted that the Lafia Mechanisation Hub marks a turning point in private sector leadership within the agricultural sector.

“With today’s commissioning of the Lafia Mechanisation Hub, we are not merely scaling up—we are stepping confidently into the future,” Enwonwu said.

She described the initiative as people-focused and economically inclusive, empowering not just farmers but also youths who will be trained as tractor operators, booking agents, and technicians.

“This is inclusive growth in action,” she added. “You are not just receiving equipment. You are receiving agency. This is your mobile enterprise—your platform to enable farmers, elevate your community, and fuel a new economy.”

Driving agricultural transformation

Dr. Lekan Tobe, Country Director of Heifer International Nigeria, emphasised that the collaboration was a key milestone in redefining Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

“The launch of the Lafia Mechanisation Hub, and the handover of these new Pay-As-You-Go tractors, is an important step forward for smallholder farmers in Nasarawa and across Nigeria,” Tobe said.

He reaffirmed Heifer’s commitment to affordable, tech-driven solutions that increase productivity and boost farmer income.

“We believe accessible and technology-driven mechanisation services are a game-changer,” he added. “This hub will not only enhance yields but also create vital rural jobs through youth engagement and skills training.”

A scalable model for Africa

As Nigeria continues its search for sustainable solutions to food insecurity and rural unemployment, the Hello Tractor–Heifer International partnership offers a scalable blueprint for other African nations.

With smart technology, a PAYG model, and strong public-private collaboration, the Lafia Mechanisation Hub is poised to accelerate agricultural development and improve livelihoods across Nasarawa and beyond.

Source: Legit.ng