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China-Africa Trade Information Service
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It is reported that Nigeria spends $60m on agricultural machinery from January to November 2018, which is $10 million higher than the amount imported in 2017.
Nigeria's agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder farmers who work on an average of four to five acres each, under rain-fed conditions. Most of them lack knowledge of modern practices, have insufficient capital and own little or no equipment of their own. As a result, much of the farm machinery, seeds and chemicals they require are purchased and distributed to them by the government.
According to the report, there are about 10 relatively large commercial scale farms in Nigeria, deploying some form of mechanised processes, adding that these and a few construction companies can purchase tractors for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes.
The report noted that US agricultural equipment manufacturers and suppliers were beginning to actively play in the Nigerian market.
AGCO, which is increasing its investment in the African continent, preparing to open an office in Nigeria and partner with some Nigerian Universities to provide manpower/technical training and support to undergraduates in agricultural machinery handling and maintenance.
Nigeria, according to reports, invests over $11bn on food imports annually.
Nigeria with such a large population had growing food needs and large scale mechanised farming was needed to solve the hunger challenge and reduce food imports in the country.