We Need New, Subsidized Agric Equipment to Boost Agriculture

The picture in this post is that of a 1960 BAMFORD hay mower which I bought as scrab at Dilimi, Jos in 2005 for N5,000 only. The owner, late Alh Sani, was eager and happy to be relieved of it.

Do you blame me when there is no shop in the country selling new agricultural equipment of this kind? All they promise is that they will order on request and you end up paying twice what it costs overseas?

I am non alone. One of our research institutes also bought an MF baler scrab at the cost of N5,000 and put it to use after repairs. That's the baler it's been using for the past ten years. I have been looking for a sumilar baler scrab to buy even at N500,000.00 but I can't find one.

Are we serious about agriculture in this country? Do we think agriculture ends with distribution of tractors and their three basic traditional implements: plough, harrow and ridger? How do we expand the horizons of agricultural production without getting specialised equipment at subsidised rates?

No country succeeds in agriculture without mechanisation and subsidy. None. As we venture into animal breeding, it will not be a bad idea if government intervenes here, impors the equipments and distribute them to those in actual need, at a subsidised rate, without the equipment being hijacked by corrupt officials as it often happens. Hiring is another option, though a less viable one due to corrupt practices of local and state government officials as proven many times previously.

Baba Buhari and our governors should please come to our aid. We are ready to venture into modern agricultural production and sell the idea to thousands of others. But they need to see it work in an affordable and sustainable way.

Meanwhile, my 55 years old BAMFORD mower is ready for the next harvest in November. It is in perfect shape now, thanks to Salisu, our Agric equipment guru in Jos. I will make do with it before government comes to our aid. Guntun gatarinka... A bird in hand...

Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde
A 1960 BAMFORD hay mower.