Blueprint.ng  8 July, 2025

CSJ Criticizes FG Over Belarus tractor Imports, Urges Support For Local Innovation

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has strongly criticized the Federal Government for sidelining local agricultural innovations in favour of foreign alternatives, following the recent importation of 2,000 tractors from Belarus.

Speaking at a national workshop in Abuja on Tuesday, CSJ Lead Director, Eze Onyekpere, described the move as a disservice to Nigeria’s agricultural development. He questioned why locally developed technologies by the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization—such as mini-tractors, weeders, and harvesters—were overlooked.

“Of all countries, the tractors were imported from Belarus,” Onyekpere said. “What then is the point of investing in local research if their results remain unused?”

He lamented the underperformance of publicly funded research institutes, noting that despite their mandate and budgetary allocations, Nigeria continues to face poor agricultural productivity, low yields, and unchecked crop diseases.

The workshop, which focused on strengthening linkages between agricultural research, extension services, and farming practices, also featured calls to ensure that research outputs are practical and accessible to smallholder farmers—especially women, who are critical to Nigeria’s food systems.

Also speaking, Sophie von Knebel, Country Director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, urged the Nigerian government to act decisively. She advocated for practical, short-term solutions that can be scaled sustainably, emphasizing the need for better knowledge sharing and real-world application of agricultural innovations.

Participants called for stronger integration between research institutes, policy implementation, and farmers to improve food security and boost Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.