By Dipo Olowookere
An end-to-end farm mechanization solution called Farm-To-Folk initiative has been launched in Nigeria by Springfield Agro Limited, a Kewalram Chanrai Group company, in partnership with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., a part of the $19 billion Mahindra Group with a growing global presence.
The initiative aims to develop agriculture and farming ecosystem in Nigeria and provide customized farming solutions for every need of the farming community.
It was launched in Nigeria in collaboration with the Katsina State government.
Under the aegis of this initiative the company will not only provide tractors and farm equipment solutions, but also be a key enabler in knowledge dissemination. Springfield Agro and Mahindra will setup agric centres across the state – Chibiyar Chi Gaban Manoma – Gromost Centre. The Gromost Centre will be a one-stop-shop to empower farmers with the knowledge of soil, seeds, micro-irrigation and harvesting as well as the relevant method for caring of crops.
Farmers from every region and capacity will benefit from these Gromost Centres. This in turn will drive Farm Tech Prosperity and contribute immensely to the growth of Agriculture and Farming in Nigeria.
The launch agenda will also include the commissioning of 225 tractors by the Katsina State Governor, Mr Aminu Masari, in line with the government’s effort to encourage farming and increase support for the growth of farmers’ unions and other agro-based associations.
Mr Masari, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Mannir Yakubu, at the launch said, “Our intention is to deploy adequate farm machineries and mechanization to a level that will boost agricultural productivity to at least 50 percent of international standards.”
Speaking on the Farm to Fork initiative, Mr Ashok Thakur, Vice President & Head of Operations-Africa Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “At Mahindra, our core belief is that an informed farmer is an empowered farmer and we are delighted to provide them with resources to reap the most from what they sow.
“In fact, we have moved beyond just selling tractors and the idea is to enrich the farmers’ knowledge and ultimately drive Farm Tech Prosperity and help them Rise. The launch of the Gromost Centre in Katsina state is in line with this philosophy.”
Mr Thakur further added that, “For decades now, Mahindra has been partnering in the growth story of Africa. The idea behind launching Gromost Centres is to further boost local employment, aid local sourcing, disseminate knowledge, enhance skill sets and offer custom made solutions.”
Tarun Kumar Das, Managing Director, Springfield Agro said, “Private sector investment in agriculture is the panacea to diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
“We need to deepen alliances and invest in new solutions. More importantly we want to be part of the smallholder farmer’s story by helping them rise. Given the proper support, the smallholder farmers can feed the future of the country and the continent.”
Speaking at the media briefing announcing this initiative, representative of the Katsina state government, Dr Abba Abdullah, Special Advisor to the Governor on Agriculture said, “The small window available for sowing & harvesting enhances the need for mechanization in agriculture.
“There is stagnation in productivity because of the low mechanization level & low permeation of technology and this is the gap we hope to bridge.”
Speaking further on this collaboration, Mr Das added that “the Katsina State Government, along with institutional partners like TOOAN, NIRSAL and Access Bank, deserve commendation and we appeal to other states to emulate their actions.”
Mahindra and Mahindra is the largest tractor manufacturer in the world with a tractor assembly plant commissioned by Springfield Agro in Nigeria, which has a manufacturing capacity of 5,000 tractors and associated agricultural.
It produces various ranges of tractors from 25Hp to 80Hp to cater to a wide spectrum of customers’ needs. Over the years, it has created thousands of satisfied customers in Nigeria and millions across the world.
The Katsina State Government with its current leadership is keen to increase food production and food security for its teeming population.
The administration is making all efforts to ensure sustainable development while improving income and quality of life for its resource-poor population in villages, with special emphasis on Farm Tech Prosperity.
Adedapo Adesanya