YOUTH-LED INITIATIVE DEPLOYS 282 MINI TRACTORS TO FARMERS IN KADUNA, NASARAWA

TracTrac Mechanisation Services Limited, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has deployed 282 three-wheeled mini tractors to youth-led cooperatives across Kaduna and Nasarawa States to expand access to affordable agricultural mechanisation services.

The initiative, implemented under the Improving Smallholder Farmers’ Access to Small-Scale Agricultural Mechanization Services (ISSAM) programme, is aimed at helping young people build sustainable mechanisation businesses, creating economic opportunities for women, and enabling smallholder farmers to replace labour-intensive farming with affordable mechanised services.

The programme initially deployed 154 mini tractors in 2025. With the addition of 128 tractors, the total number deployed under the initiative has increased to 282 across the two states.

According to a statement signed by the Company’s Communications Lead Adana Atuonwu , the programme established 282 youth-led cooperatives and has trained 1,974 Mechanization Service Providers (MSPs), who have so far provided mechanisation services to more than 2,000 smallholder farmers within their communities.

The statement stated that the initiative was different from other conventional equipment distribution schemes as it combine the provision of mechanisation assets with technical training and business development support, enabling beneficiaries to establish sustainable enterprises that continue serving farmers beyond the initial deployment.

It stated that additional tractors will be distributed to youth-led Mechanization Service Provider cooperatives in Kokona, Akwanga and Wamba Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, as well as Kachia, Igabi, Soba, Lere, Chikun and Zaria Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

According to the statement, each tractor is equipped with a harrow, disc plough, planter and trailer bucket to enable trained cooperatives to provide affordable mechanisation services throughout the farming season, reduce delays in land preparation, improve productivity and generate income for cooperative members.

Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of TracTrac Mechanisation Services Limited, Godson Ohuruogu, said the programme was designed to create sustainable livelihood opportunities while improving food security.

He said every tractor represent a business capable of generating income for young people and providing timely, affordable mechanisation services to hundreds of farmers.

“We’re not simply deploying equipment; we’re building a sustainable ecosystem that strengthens food security, rural economies and long-term agricultural resilience,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Lovina James, a cooperative member from Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, said the programme had equipped her with skills that now enable her to earn a living and support her family.

She added that the initiative was also encouraging more women to participate in agricultural mechanisation.

The District Head of Brum Brum in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, His Royal Highness Sir Bala Averson (JP), commended the programme, describing it as a partnership that had delivered tangible benefits to farmers and rural communities.

He said the initiative had created opportunities for young people while improving farmers’ access to mechanisation services.

TracTrac said the expanded deployment is expected to increase access to affordable mechanisation, strengthen youth-owned enterprises, improve farm productivity and promote greater participation of women and young people in agriculture across participating communities.