Nwifuru Is Tractorising Ebonyi Farms To Boost Food Production – Nwedu

The agricultural sector in Ebonyi State is undergoing a major transformation as the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru intensifies efforts to mechanise farming and enhance food production across the state.

A member of the Ebonyi State Board of Internal Revenue Service (EBSIRS), Nwedu A. Nwedu, has described the deployment of tractors to farming communities as a significant step towards modernising agriculture and reducing the hardship traditionally associated with farming.

Nwedu said the initiative was in line with the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs, particularly its commitment to food security, economic empowerment and improved livelihoods for the people.

He noted that for many years, farmers in Ebonyi relied heavily on hoes, cutlasses and other traditional implements, making land preparation physically demanding and time-consuming.

According to him, the introduction of tractors is changing the narrative by enabling farmers and agricultural cooperatives to clear and prepare larger portions of farmland within shorter periods.

He said timely land preparation would allow farmers to take better advantage of the planting season while increasing the potential for higher agricultural yields.

Nwedu further noted that increased mechanisation could boost the production of major crops such as rice, yam, cassava and vegetables, strengthening Ebonyi’s position as a major food-producing state in the South-East.

He also pointed to the employment opportunities that agricultural mechanisation could create for young people, including jobs in tractor operation, equipment maintenance, agro-services, transportation and other areas of the agricultural value chain.

“When you see these tractors, know that Ebonyi is planting for the future. The objective is to reduce the burden on our farmers, increase food production and put more income in the pockets of our people,” Nwedu said.

He observed that making farming less labour-intensive could encourage more young Ebonyians to embrace agriculture as a modern and profitable enterprise rather than viewing it as an occupation associated with hardship.

While commending Governor Nwifuru for prioritising agricultural mechanisation, Nwedu stressed the need for complementary investments in improved farm inputs, storage facilities, rural roads, access to markets, trained tractor operators and regular maintenance of the equipment.

He expressed optimism that sustained mechanisation, combined with these supporting measures, would help expand the area under cultivation, increase food production and strengthen farmers’ incomes.

Nwedu said the benefits of the programme would extend beyond individual farmers, noting that increased agricultural output could improve food availability, create employment and contribute to the broader economic development of Ebonyi State.

He added that the ultimate test of the initiative would be its impact on farms and markets through increased harvests, improved livelihoods and greater food security.

“This is not just about tractors. It is about food, jobs, dignity and the economic future of Ebonyi farmers,” he added.