The Federal Government has commenced the application process for the Renewed Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme (RHAMP), an initiative designed to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector, strengthen food security, and promote mechanisation-driven productivity across rural communities.
The government said the initiative represents a strategic intervention to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported food, improve yield per hectare, and expand access to modern farm equipment across all geopolitical zones.
According to officials familiar with the scheme, RHAMP forms part of the broader Renewed Hope Agricultural Transformation Agenda, under which the administration intends to scale up production capacity and position agriculture as a major contributor to GDP growth and employment generation.
The programme provides access to affordable tractors and farm implements, structured on flexible leasing and repayment plans that are linked to actual usage and income generation.
Beneficiaries will also enjoy maintenance support under a multi-year servicing arrangement through designated service centres and mobile repair hubs to ensure asset reliability.
The Bank of Agriculture noted that the application process is open to women and youth agripreneurs aged 18 to 35, as well as licensed mechanisation firms seeking to expand their fleet or service coverage.
The government is prioritising applicants with verifiable engagement in primary production or those providing commercial tractor services to smallholder farmers.
The RHAMP model includes competitive terms designed to improve access to mechanisation assets. These include lease tenures of three to five years, interest rates of 15 per cent, and 25 per cent equity contribution from participants. The structure is intended to reduce financial barriers for operators while maintaining long-term sustainability.
Beyond access to equipment, the programme incorporates digital monitoring systems powered by Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This feature enables real-time tracking of tractor usage, performance analytics, and maintenance schedules, enhancing accountability and efficient utilisation of resources.
Economic analysts say the mechanisation drive is expected to raise productivity levels across major staple crops, improve post-harvest handling, and significantly cut production costs for smallholder farmers.
The scheme is also seen as a catalyst for job creation in both the manufacturing and service segments of the agricultural economy.
Industry observers believe the collaboration between the government and Heifer Nigeria demonstrates a practical step toward aligning private-sector capacity with public-sector reform. By embedding technology and commercial viability in its framework, the initiative is structured to avoid the pitfalls of previous state-led mechanisation schemes that lacked sustainability.
The launch of the Renewed Hope mechanisation programme is part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural base and make the sector a driver of non-oil revenue. Since the administration took office, agriculture has been identified as one of the key pillars of the economic recovery plan aimed at boosting foreign exchange inflows and stabilising food prices.
Experts project that, if effectively implemented, the RHAMP could lift agricultural productivity by up to 30 per cent over the next five years, while contributing to a measurable reduction in Nigeria’s annual food import bill.
The model’s inclusion of women and youth also aligns with national employment targets and rural development priorities.
Applicants are required to complete the registration process through the official Bank of Agriculture portal ahead of the stipulated deadline. The selection process will prioritise applicants with demonstrable experience in agricultural operations and the capacity to manage assets efficiently.
The government reiterated that the Renewed Hope Mechanisation Programme is a long-term framework for building an industrialised food system anchored on efficiency, sustainability, and inclusiveness. With the deployment of advanced machinery and technology-driven monitoring, Nigeria’s agricultural sector is set for a gradual transformation from subsistence to fully commercial operations.
The initiative is widely viewed as a critical instrument in achieving national food self-sufficiency and positioning the country as a major agricultural exporter within the region. If sustained, analysts say the RHAMP could emerge as one of the defining policy interventions of the current administration, marking a decisive shift toward mechanised and technology-enabled farming in Africa’s most populous nation.