The federal government has announced plans to deploy hand-powered tillers across the 36 states of the federation as part of efforts to deepen agricultural mechanisation, boost productivity among smallholder farmers, and reduce reliance on crude farming implements.

The FG, through the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made the disclosure at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, while honouring Nigeria’s agricultural forerunner, Emeritus Professor Gabriel Makanjuola, at 90, an event organised by the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE).

Kyari disclosed that the deployment of the tool is a follow-up to the FG’s provision of 2,000 tractors, distributed nationwide to cultivate 1.5 million hectares in February 2026.

He noted that smallholder farmers account for about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s food production, describing them as the country’s “first line of food security” whose contributions must be strengthened through accessible mechanisation and modern farming technologies.

According to him, “What we are trying to do is to impact the local and rural communities. Mechanisation is a bit expensive; thus, it is time to develop small mechanised tools to replace the cutlasses and hoes used by smallholder farmers. We have started doing that.

“Right now, Mr President has already launched the 2000 tractors that we have, and they are being deployed around the country. Very soon, we want to have the small hand-powered tillers.”

Speaking about the celebrant, he said Professor Emeritus Makanjuola has championed many innovations in the past without waiting for anyone’s promotion.

Also, the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Governor, Buka Tijani, harped on the need to reduce manual labour on farms, saying, “As a professor in Agricultural Engineering, water included. My aim is to determine what will be best in terms of reducing manual labour and adding value economically, technically, and engineering-wise. To see how best production can be done.”

In his remarks, Engineer Gabriel Makanjuola expressed profound appreciation to the university for conferring the Emeritus Professorship on him. He also thanked members of the university community, dignitaries, colleagues, family members, and other guests for attending the ceremony and celebrating the milestone with him. (The Nation)