From Ebohon Joan
Smallholder farmers in Edo, Benue, Nasarawa and Ogun states are expected to benefit from improved access to modern farming equipment following a new partnership between the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) and Heifer Nigeria.
The partnership, sealed through a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is part of Heifer Nigeria’s Naija Unlock Programme and will run from August 15, 2026, to August 14, 2028.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by ELRA’s Head of Media and Corporate Communication, Adebola Sunday, the initiative is aimed at increasing food production, strengthening agricultural value chains and supporting Nigeria’s food security drive.
Through the programme, farmers, cooperatives, women and young agripreneurs will be able to lease or own modern agricultural equipment such as tractors, irrigation systems and processing machines without paying the full cost upfront.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ELRA Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Donald Wokoma, said the collaboration would make it easier for farmers to access the equipment needed to improve productivity and expand their businesses.
He noted that the programme would begin in Edo, Benue, Nasarawa and Ogun states, with plans to replicate it across the country.
Heifer Nigeria’s Country Director, Lekan Tobe, said the partnership reflects the organisation’s commitment to helping smallholder farmers grow through practical and sustainable agricultural solutions.
According to him, improved access to modern equipment will help farmers increase output, reduce post-harvest losses and build stronger agrobusinesses.
The initiative will cover a wide range of equipment, including tractors, power tillers, planters, weeders, threshers, solar-powered irrigation systems, processing machines, storage facilities and cold-chain infrastructure.
The organisers believe the programme will reduce production costs, cut reliance on manual labour, improve farming efficiency and make agricultural equipment more accessible to smallholder farmers.
