The Cross River State Government has carried out a strategic review of its Tractor Acquisition Scheme to assess how the tractors distributed to farmers are being utilised and how the programme can be improved to support agricultural productivity across the state.
The review meeting, held at Monty Suites in Calabar, brought together beneficiaries, government officials, technical partners and key stakeholders involved in the mechanisation programme. Discussions focused on evaluating the performance of the scheme so far, identifying operational challenges and outlining measures that will ensure the tractors are properly used and maintained.
Representing the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Elder Ayi Ita Ayi, said the government organised the meeting to ensure the initiative continues to deliver value to farmers.
He explained that the review was not only about distributing tractors but ensuring that the equipment is effectively used to improve farming output across rural communities.
“The purpose of this review is to evaluate how the tractors are being used by the cooperatives and to ensure the programme achieves its intended goal of boosting agricultural productivity in the state,” Ayi said.
According to him, the success of the programme will be measured by improved farm output, increased hectarage cultivated by farmers and the development of a strong maintenance culture among beneficiaries.
He noted that the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu remains committed to strengthening agriculture as a key sector for economic growth and food security in Cross River State.
“The tractors were introduced as a deliberate intervention to reposition agriculture in the state. What we want to see is farmers using them effectively to expand their farms and increase food production,” he added.
108 tractors approved, 54 already distributed
The State Executive Council had earlier approved the procurement of 108 mini tractors designed specifically for the terrain and farming conditions in Cross River State.
Government officials disclosed during the meeting that 54 of the tractors have already been delivered and distributed to registered farmers’ cooperatives across the 18 local government areas of the state as part of the first phase of the programme.
The tractors are expected to provide smallholder farmers with access to mechanised farming services that will allow them to cultivate larger areas of farmland while reducing the burden of manual labour.
Officials explained that the next phase of the programme will focus on improving operational systems that will ensure the tractors are properly managed and accessible to farmers who need them during the farming season.
Focus on proper utilisation and maintenance
With the first batch already deployed, the government said attention is now shifting towards ensuring that the tractors are properly utilised and maintained to guarantee long-term sustainability.
The emerging operational structure includes the engagement of trained personnel who will support the functioning of the mechanisation programme within farming communities.
These include booking agents who will coordinate tractor scheduling, operators who will handle field operations and technicians responsible for maintenance and repairs.
According to officials, many of these roles will be filled by members of farmers’ cooperatives and people from host communities where the tractors are located.
This approach is expected to create employment opportunities in rural areas while also encouraging local ownership of the programme.
Digital platform introduced for tractor services
Another key development discussed during the meeting was the introduction of a digital booking system that will allow farmers to schedule tractor services and make payments through a transparent platform.
Engr. Mrs Justina Ulafor emphasised that agricultural mechanisation remains essential for increasing food production.
She explained that many farmers remain limited by manual farming methods, which restrict the amount of land they can cultivate each season.
“Manual farming keeps farmers at subsistence level. Mechanisation allows them to cultivate larger hectares and significantly increase productivity,” Ulafor said.
She added that the digital booking system would improve transparency in the management of tractor services and eliminate middlemen who sometimes exploit farmers seeking access to equipment.
“The digital platform will allow farmers to book tractors directly and track services. This will improve accountability and ensure fair access to mechanised services,” she said.
Government reviewing moratorium concerns
During the meeting, beneficiaries also raised concerns regarding the moratorium period attached to the tractor scheme.
The State Project Director of Project Grow and Chairman of the Tractor Committee, Mr Denis Ikpali, assured participants that the government would review the concerns raised by cooperatives.
Ikpali encouraged farmers’ cooperatives to begin preparing for the upcoming farming season by actively promoting the tractor services within their communities.
“We expect cooperatives to start marketing their tractor services early so that farmers can begin preparing their lands ahead of the farming season,” he said.
Plans for mechanisation centres across the state
Ikpali also revealed that the state government plans to establish an Agricultural Mechanisation Board that will oversee technical support for the programme.
The board will supervise mechanisation centres that will be established across the three senatorial districts of Cross River State.
According to him, these centres will provide spare parts, maintenance services and training for tractor operators and technicians.
“The mechanisation centres will serve as technical hubs where tractors can be repaired, operators trained and spare parts supplied when needed,” Ikpali explained.
He added that the initiative could position Cross River as a centre for mechanisation skills development in the region.
Stakeholders provide technical insights
The review meeting also featured technical sessions delivered by experts involved in the programme.
Mr Ikpeme Ikpeme of Bespoke Design Concepts Nigeria Limited presented on tractor maintenance and the role of cooperative collaboration in ensuring the longevity of the machines.
Mr Pelumi John of Hello Tractor also addressed participants on operational and financial sustainability within mechanisation programmes.
A goodwill message was delivered by Tope Solomon Odu of Hello Tractor, who reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the Cross River State Government in implementing the tractor scheme effectively.
Representatives of the 54 benefiting cooperative societies participated in an interactive session where they raised operational concerns, including issues related to tractor geofencing.
Government officials assured the cooperatives that the feedback would be reviewed and addressed as the programme continues to evolve ahead of the 2026 farming season.
