The Federal Government is planning to create about five million jobs for Nigerians with the launch of ‘The Green Imperative’ agricultural mechanization programme with a $1.1 billion loan from the Brazilian government.
Specifically, the programme, a Brazil – Nigeria bilateral project launched at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, is conceived to enhance the agricultural sector through the provision of modern machineries and implements.
The $1.1 billion partnership will include 10,000 tractors to be assembled in Nigeria and more than 707 centers to be established to train about 10,000 Nigerians.
Stakeholders say the partnership is coming as part of the Federal Government’s plan to address key agricultural gaps, including the inability to meet domestic food requirements and the country’s inability to satisfy growing export demands in particular areas of quantity and quality.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who officially performed the launch, said the ‘Green Imperative’ was aimed at boosting agricultural production in Nigeria.