Remi Tinubu Flags Off 2026 Farming Season, Urges Shift to Mechanised Agriculture

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for an urgent transition from subsistence farming to mechanised, commercially driven agriculture, warning that traditional methods can no longer meet the country’s growing food demands.

She made the call on Saturday during the official flag-off of the 2026 farming season in Niger State, where she also launched the rollout of mechanisation support equipment aimed at boosting food production.

The event, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, marked a significant step in efforts to tackle food insecurity and modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Tinubu emphasised the need to abandon reliance on rudimentary tools such as hoes and cutlasses, advocating for modern farming techniques driven by machinery, innovation, and improved inputs.

“We must move beyond subsistence farming. Mechanisation and modern practices are no longer optional—they are necessary for sustainable food security,” she said.

The initiative by the Niger State Government includes the deployment of 250 tractors, 50 multi-crop harvesters, 1,500 farming implements, and 150,000 bags of fertiliser.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said the programme is designed to reposition the state as a major food production hub.

According to him, each of the 25 local government areas will receive 10 tractors to deepen mechanisation at the grassroots level.
Bago noted that the introduction of harvesters would significantly reduce post-harvest losses, which can reach up to 90 per cent depending on the crop.

The governor projected that the initiative would support farming across 120,000 hectares of land, generating about 2,000 direct jobs and up to 100,000 indirect jobs.

He added that the state expects to produce an estimated 500,000 metric tonnes of assorted food crops per farming season.

To stabilise prices and protect farmers, Bago disclosed that the government is developing a structured off-take system for surplus produce in collaboration with the Niger Food Security and Logistics Limited.

As part of efforts to ensure continuous agricultural production, the governor also announced plans to complete a 10,000-hectare solar-powered irrigation scheme to enable both wet and dry season farming.

The initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises food security and economic diversification.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Isah Sidi Rijau, described the intervention as a practical demonstration of the government’s commitment to agricultural transformation.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the programme reflects a broader national effort to reposition agriculture as a key driver of economic growth.

He commended Niger State for setting the pace, noting that the initiative provides a workable model for boosting productivity across Nigeria.