Exploring the Impact of Agricultural Mechanization on Food Security in Nigeria.

Abstract

Agricultural mechanization is increasingly recognized as a critical driver of productivity growth and food system transformation, yet its specific contributions to food security in Nigeria remain insufficiently explored. This study examines the impact of agricultural mechanization on food availability, accessibility, and stability across Nigeria’s farming communities. The study draws on a qualitative research design, using literature searches on agricultural mechanization and publicly available material. Literature from non-serial publications, official reports, and conference papers are included, particularly if they have been cited by other references in connection with agricultural mechanisation, precision farming, and food security. Findings from the study suggest that mechanization significantly enhances productivity and reduces drudgery, but its adoption is constrained by high costs, limited access to credit, inadequate maintenance services, and uneven regional distribution. Also, the status of agricultural mechanisation and prevailing mechanisation challenges negatively influence food security in Nigeria. Based on these findings, the study recommends for all tiers of government to extensively subsidise agriculture to achieve tractorisation, tractor hiring services, cooperatives and corporate participation, local manufacturing, assembling, and import duty waivers to ensure food security. The study also recommends that all tiers of government should incentivize private sector participation to inject sustainable innovative technologies, which will quicken Nigeria towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Two; establishment of demonstration farms in all LGAs to showcase mechanized farming practices, LGAs maintenance centres for mechanics towards transfer of technology, and provision of credit facilities for farmers.

Keywords: Agricultural mechanization, Food security, New growth theory, Tractorization.