Cross River Government Launches Tractor Subsidy Programme, Trains Beneficiaries on Usage
By Missang AKPET
In a bid to drive Agricultural Revolution, the Cross River State Government has unveiled a Tractor Subsidy Programme for farmers in the state
The move is an initiative of the Governor Bassey Otu's administration to deepen agricultural mechanisation, reduce production costs, and strengthen food security across the state.
Speaking at the unveiling and 2 day training workshop for beneficiaries of the tractor scheme, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, said 108 tractors will be distributed in the first phase, with an additional 108 planned for the second phase to beneficiary farmer cooperatives of the tractor scheme.
He explained that the scheme aims to boost agricultural productivity, create jobs, and promote food security in the state adding that beneficiaries are expected to provide tractor services to smallholder farmers in the rural areas.
"The tractors are designed to be simple, allowing any mechanic to perform repairs, and parts are readily available and accessible. Each tractor comes with essential implements such as a plow, recharger, harrow, one-ton trailer, and a bucket.
"The 2 day intensive training is mandatory for all beneficiaries and will involve field work, training on Bookkeeping, maintenance, cooperative management, information dissemination and community relations" he said.
He added that the subsidy programme is designed to ease long-standing challenges faced by smallholder farmers, particularly the high cost of land preparation, which often accounts for over 70% of farming input costs.
“With tractors, farmers can expand from one hectare to two or three, thereby boosting yields and enhancing both food and feed security. Agriculture must be treated as a business, and this programme provides an opportunity to improve productivity, reduce the cost of food, and reposition Cross River as a leading food producer in Nigeria,” he said.
The Commissioner further revealed that future phases would include additional implements such as rotary tillers and gauge wheels to support rice farmers in flood-prone areas, noting that recent floods had devastated farmlands. He cautioned cooperatives to ensure transparency and integrity in managing the tractors, stressing that they are strictly for community service and not private ownership.
Declaring the training open the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Chairman Tractor Committee, Elder Dr. Odey Ikongha, said the training remained a vital part of the agricultural transformation agenda which ensures beneficiaries are equipped with both technical and managerial skills to sustain the tractors as cooperative assets.
“This gathering reflects the shared commitment of government and stakeholders to advance mechanised farming. I urge participants to seize this opportunity, engage fully, and return prepared to drive agricultural productivity in their communities,” Ikongha said.
Also speaking one of the beneficiaries, His Highness Chief Odey Alela expressed strong support for the government's tractor initiative, noting its critical benefit to rural farmers.
He however proposed the establishment of local committees to monitor the effective use of the resources as well as raised concerns regarding abandoned rice harvested in Yala, where external buyers acquire the rice cheaply and rebrand it and tag it Abakaliki rice.
The training which featured technical sessions and presentations, also took the beneficiaries for field work and training at Adiabo.
The initiative, championed by Governor Bassey Edet Otu, is central to his agricultural transformation agenda as promised during his campaign to prioritise agriculture as a key driver of inclusive growth.
