By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Adedeji Ashiru, says the Federal Government plans to provide 60 additional tractors to farmers in the South-West by 2026 to boost food production through agricultural mechanisation.
Ashiru disclosed this on Thursday during the flag-off of the 2025/2026 dry season farming programme and the deployment of 16 tractors to 11 farm settlements across four South-West states — Ogun State, Oyo State, Osun State and Lagos State — at the authority’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
He said the initiative aligns with the food security drive of Bola Tinubu aimed at improving food production, reducing post-harvest losses and lowering food prices.
Ashiru noted that the first phase of the intervention involves the deployment of 16 tractors and farm implements to 11 farm settlements across the authority’s catchment states.
According to him, the Federal Government is also expected to deliver an additional 60 tractors in 2026 to further strengthen mechanised farming in the region.
He said limited access to mechanisation remains a major challenge for smallholder farmers, noting that the tractor deployment would enable farmers to cultivate larger areas, improve efficiency and increase yields.
Ashiru added that the dry season farming campaign would focus on crops such as maize, vegetables, tomatoes, pepper and cassava.
He said extension officers would accompany the tractor deployment teams to provide farmers with agronomy support, including guidance on improved seeds, fertiliser use and pest management.
To ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the tractors, the authority also inaugurated a seven-member task force committee to oversee their use and safety.
