300 tractor operators, mechanics set to drive mechanisation in Bauchi

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under its Department of Agricultural Mechanisation, has commenced the training of 300 selected youths as tractor operators and mechanics from the 19 northern states to boost mechanised farming in the country. Speaking during the commencement of the exercise held on Monday at the Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery […]

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under its Department of Agricultural Mechanisation, has commenced the training of 300 selected youths as tractor operators and mechanics from the 19 northern states to boost mechanised farming in the country.

Speaking during the commencement of the exercise held on Monday at the Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centre (AMMOTRAC) in Misau, Bauchi State, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Markus Ogunbiyi, said the goal of the programme was to enhance productivity, create jobs for our teeming youths and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Representing Suleiman Majid, the Director, Department of Agricultural Mechanisation, Ogunbiyi explained, “To achieve food security for our nation, we must move from subsistence farming to modern, efficient and competitive agriculture. This transformation is impossible without mechanisation. Tractors and their implements are the workhorses of this revolution. However, a tractor is only as good as the individual who operates it and the mechanic who maintains it.

“This comprehensive manual you have before you has been meticulously designed to equip you with more than just basic skills. It will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on experience required to operate and maintain tractors safely, efficiently and profitably.

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“To our operators, you will learn to be masters of the machine – understanding its controls, performing pre-operation checks and executing field operations with precision while prioritising your safety and that of others at all times.

“To our mechanics, you are the guardians of these vital assets. This training will empower you to diagnose problems, perform routine maintenance and conduct necessary repairs. You will ensure that these machines remain in optimal condition, minimising downtime during crucial farming seasons and extending their lifespan, which is an economic imperative for our farmers.”

 

 

 

Earlier in this remarks, the head of Agricultural Mechanics and Machinery Operators Training Centre (AMMOTRAC) in Misau,  Hashimu Yunusa Kwami, said the mandate of the centre was to train federal, state, local government and private operators to build capacity of personnel to boost agricultural mechanisation in the country, adding that the centre is training the first 50 selected participants in the first badge and subsequently taken another 50, as well as the other participants among the trainees from the 19 northern states.