RE-ENGINEERING AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY:EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS FOR NIGERIA & PAKISTAN

BY PROFESSOR DR LAWAL MUHAMMAD ANKA
PROFESSOR & COORDINATOR STUDENTS RESEARCH PROJECTS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS ANNAHDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY MARADI CAMPUS NIGER REPUBLIC

Being A Key Note Address Presented at the 2nd International Conference On Agricultural Engineering And Technologies (ICAT 2026) Organised by Faculty of Agricultural Engineering Sindh Agriculture University
Tandojam Pakistan From 10-11 February 2026

PROFILE OF THE KEY NOTE SPEAKER
Professor Lawal Mohammad Anka is a Citizen of Nigeria, a Scholar, Technocrat and Accomplished Public Servant, that is Ardently passionate about knowledge discovery, Autonomously Creative, Audaciously Innovative. He Completed his Bsc Agric Economics (Hons) 1989-1994 & Msc Agric Economics 1994-1996 From Sindh Agricultural University Tandojam Pakistan. A Postgraduate Diploma in International Agricultural Marketing From Justus Liebig University Giessen Germany 1998- 1999, MBA Management From Preston University Kohat Pakistan 2006-2007 and PhD Rural Development Studies 2007-2010 from University of Sindh Jamshoro Sindh Pakistan. PostDoc Training fromBoston University PostDoc Academy USA 2022 and Strategic Postdoc from Yale Ciencia Academy of Professional Development USA 2025. In
addition to the above Prof Lawal Anka had completed his Executive Programmes with Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Columbia & Stanford Universities USA respectively.

During the period of his career he had served as Lab Assistant Dept of Physics University of Sokoto Currently Usmanu Danfodio University 1979-1980, Technical officer and Special Assistant to Managing Director Federal Superphosphate Fertilizer Company Kaduna from 1983-1988, Chief Speech writer to Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Zamfara State From 2016-2018 and Director Planing Monitoring and Evaluation with Zamfara IFAD Assisted Agric Devt Project 2003-2004, Zamfara Accelerated Cotton Devt Agency 2012-2016, Zamfara Agric Devt Project 2016-2021 respectively as well as Project Coordinator/Desk Officer Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project Zamfara State 2020 to 2024. Chairman and Secretary to 26 Committees Constituted by Zamfara State Government of Nigeria to address various issues and problems.

In academia currently Prof Lawal Anka is working as Visiting Senior Lecturer with Federal College of Education Technical Gusau Zamfara State, Visiting Professor Al-Nahda International University Niger Republic and Non-Resident Research Fellow ABI North Carolina USA, Adjunct Research Professor IBC Cambridge United Kingdom, Global Scholars Non-Resident Fellow Centre For The Global Enterprise New York USA. He was recently appointed as STEM Ambassador to popularize and promote the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics in Nigeria & Uk, Course Ambassador to five online programs by Philanthropy University California USA, Challenge Ambassador by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT Boston USA to raise funds for online learning & Research and to support youth empowerment Globally.

He is a prolific writer and had published 15 Books & 105 Research Papers in Scholarly journals. Prof Lawal Anka is ranked among the 32,553 out of 2,439,832 Authors & Scholars worldwide by the Social Science Research Council Canada SSRN. Similarly, Haas Business School University California Barkley recognized him as a Global Change Maker. As a Scholar he is a member of editorial board & Peer Review Board to 90 Professional Journals around the Globe so far from 2012-2024 he had Conducted Peer Review to 500 research papers all are Published. Prof Lawal Anka had Mentored and supervised 55 Bsc Projects, 22 Master’s Thesis & 10 PhD Dissertations from various Universities. In addition to the above as External Examiner he examined 26 PhD Dissertations. As External Assessor he assessed 22 Academic Staff for Promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and from Associate Professor to rank of Professor. During the period of his academic career, he presented research papers, keynote address and act as a round table discussant in various Seminars, Conferences, Workshops, Retreat and
Colloquium around the Globe respectively.

At International Level he served as Deputy Director General of IBC Cambridge UK, Deputy Governor of Research American Biographical Institute, Vice President Recognition Board International Congress for Arts Science & Communications, Director General For Africa/CEO IBC Camridge Uk, External Examiner & PhD Thesis Supervisor with Six Universities in Pakistan, Thesis Supervisor & Facilitator for Bsc & Msc Programmes with National Open University of Nigeria & Secretary General United Cultural Convention Cambridge UK respectively. Prof Lawal Anka is also a Fellow of Business Management Association UK, Fellow of Royal Society of Arts UK, Member of Australian Institute of Management, Member Nigerian Institute of Management Chartered, Member of Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria, Registered Teacher, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria & an Alumni of the Chartered Teachers Programme of the Republic of Ireland as well as ISO Certified Quality Assurance Manager.

A recipient of the following Awards, Honours and Distinctions such as Vice Chancellors Bronze Medal For Excellent Academic Performance Sindh Agric University Tandojam Pakistan, Vice Chancellors Sports Medal for Excellent Performance in Interuniversity Hiking Competitions, Pakistan Medical Association Medal for Securing 1st Position in the Annual Karachi Merathon Race 1993, Dr Khurshid Ahmad Khan Award for lifework Achievement in Agricultural Economics research by Pakistan Futuristics Institute and Margalla Voices, First Position & Best Paper Presentation award at International Conference organized by Faculty of Business Admin International Islamic University Islamabad Pakistan 2009. Fellowship Award from Research Society of Science USA. His Biography is listed in the International Biography of Distinguished Leadership ABI USA 1991, 1000 Great Scientists in the World IBC Cambridge UK 2003, Who-is- Who in the World Marquis New Jersey USA 2005 and Living Legends of the World 2004 UK, Directory of Distinguished Men & Women of Science IBC UK 2015. Prof Lawal Anka was nominated for Ambassador of Peace In Nigeria Award a highly respected initiative by the Destiny Executive Network Abuja Nigeria in the year 2025.

His Research Capabilities were recognized Internationally with Excellence in Peer Review Awards from 55 Journals around the Globe which include Journal of Applied Sciences, Advances in Research Uk, Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension & Rural Sociology, Journal of Experimental Agriculture, Grassroots Journal University Sindh Jamshoro Pakistan, Journal of Agricultural Science Dept of Education & Science of the Canadian Government, International Association of Journals & Conferences An Exclusive Global Consortium. In the year 2011 he was nominated for the post Provost College of Agriculture & Animal Science Bakura by Zamfara State Government Nigeria and in 2013 he again nominated as High Commissioner for Refugees by the United Nations in New York. Prof. Lawal Anka had travel widely around the Globe in the pursuit of knowledge & adventure such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia (for religious obligation), Dubai, Kenya, State of Qatar, Germany, Netherlands, France, Austria, United Kingdom, Niger Republic & Turkey. His hobbies are reading of Islamic books, biographies, Long Tennis & Badminton&
Hiking.

RE-ENGINEERING AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY: EXPERIENCES AND
LESSONS FOR NIGERIA & PAKISTAN KEY NOTE ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR DR LAWAL MUHAMMAD ANKA

Distinguished Chief Guest & Patron in Chief Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal Vice Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Prof Dr Munir Ahmad Mungirio Dean Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Principal Organizer, Dr Zaheer Ahmad Khan Conference Secretary, Distinguished Foreign Invited Scholars here Present, Registrar, Deans, Directors & other invited Guests & Students.

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM
I STAND ON THE EXISTING PROTOCOL
I would Like to express my Sincere Gratitude & Appreciation to the Management of Sindh Agriculture University and Members of Organizing Committee of this conference for inviting me to be a Key note Speaker in the 2nd International Conference on Agricultural Engineering & Technologies ICAT 2026. At the end of the Conference a panel discussion involving notable experts will be held and recommendations to the government will be formulated for appropriate and expeditious actions. My presentation would focus on Core philosophy and objectives of Re-Engineering, Current Status of Agricultural Mechanization for Nigeria & Pakistan, What can be done to address the challenges of Agricultural Mechanization for Nigeria & Pakistan, Sustainability Issues, Lessons Learnt and Way forward.

DISTINGUSHED LADIES & GENTLE MEN
Re-Engineering Agricultural Mechanization involves a fundamental shift from simple tractorization to an integrated system of technology, business models and policy. It focuses on making mechanization sustainable and accessible, particularly for small holder farmers who produce over 50% of the world’s food. Re-engineering also apply to the physical production and adaptation of equipment to local needs. We need to adapt the followings:

i. Using reverse engineering to produce relevant field equipment locally reducing over dependence on expensive foreign technology;
ii. Developing machinery that supports conservation practices such as happy seeders that drill seed into crop residue without tillage to improve soil health
iii. Future trends include a shift towards automated systems such as swarms of small electric robotic tractors and drone solutions for precision application.
iv. Utilizing two wheeled tractors and attachments (Seeders, Pumps, & Reapers) that are maneuverable in small plots and have lower operating costs

v. Transforming farmers into service providers who rent out specialized equipment ensuring machines are utilized year-round and providing a buffer against labour scarcity.

SCALE FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS
To be successful mechanization requires a scale friendly environment across several dimensions. We need to adopt the followings
i. Create low risk financing options such as single digit interest rate loans or joint venture agreements with machinery importers
ii. Institutionalising training through vocational training centres to ensure local artisans can repair and maintain complex modern equipment.
iii. Moving from state led importers to government supported private markets that can sustain spare parts supply and after sales service.

DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Current Status of Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria
Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria is very low characterized by heavy reliance on manual labour by small holders leading to low productivity far below FAO recommendations (Around 0.027 – 0.27 hp/ha Vs 1.5 hp/ha target). Despite growing demand with major challenges being high machinery costs, poor investment, land fragmentation, inadequate extension services and policy gaps. Though Government initiatives and private hiring services aim to improve the situation.

CHALLENGES
I. High cost of machinery and lack of credit access for farmers ii. Inconsistent Government policies iii. Heavy reliance on imported machinery.

RECENT DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
I. Initiatives like greener hope programmes aim to boost mechanization, involving partnerships with companies like john deere for equipment centres.
ii. Private sector hiring services are emerging as a crucial more efficient alternative to public services.
iii. There is a growing emphasis on local manufacturing, improving tractor hiring models and
promoting group ownership.
iv. In essence Nigeria’s agricultural mechanization is in nascent stages facing systematic hurdles but seeing efforts to modernize through policy, technology and private sector engagement.

CURRENT STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION IN PAKISTAN
Agricultural mechanization in Pakistan shows a mix progress. Land preparation and treashing are highly mechanized but other key tasks like sowing, transplanting and harvesting is slow especially for small farmers facing high costs of small land size. In essence Pakistan’s farm mechanization is advancing unevenly showing strong gains in basic tasks but struggling to achieve a comprehensive high technology adoption needed to significantly boost overall agricultural productivity.

CHALLENGES
While demand for equipment is rising low farm power per hectare limits yield with significant challenges as follows
i. Poor quality local machinery and lack of farmer knowledge
ii. Limited adoption of precision technology like drones despite govt focus on subsidies and improved manufacturing standards
iii. High costs deter small farmers from adopting modern machinery at the same time fragmented limit efficient machinery use
iv. Inadequate infrastructure and limited technical skills hinder adoption
v. Farm power per hectare was around 0.84hp/acre remain below FAO recommendations contributing to low yields compared to developed nations
vi. Sowing, transplanting, weeding and harvesting remain under mechanized.
vii A domestic industry exists mainly in Punjab but faces quality and standardization issues with potential for joint venture with international firms. There is slow uptakes of precision agriculture tools (GPS Drones)

DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
What Can Be Done To Address The Above Challenges For Both Nigeria & Pakistan
i. Establish local hire service providers or cooperatives which allow farmers to access machinery on per acre/hour basis
ii. Focus on private rather than Government only hire services to ensure sustainability.
iii. Train young people to become service providers, creating rural employment while enhancing access to mechanization
iv. Provide targeted subsidies for specific technologies but with clear exit plan to avoid market distortions

v. Develop local assembly and manufacturing abilities to create machinery tailored to local soil conditions and ensure a steady supply of affordable spare parts
vi. Use GIS and special data to identify which areas have the highest demand for mechanization to target investment efficiently.
By implementing the above measures Governments and private actors can transform mechanization from high-cost underutilized assets into a driver of increased productivity and improved livelihoods.

SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION DISTINGUIGHED LADIES AND GENTLMEN
Sustainability of Re-engineering Agricultural Mechanization is defined as its ability to balanced increased productivity with environmental preservation and social equity overtime. Both Nigeria & Pakistan should consider the following:
i. Use special tools like zero tillage planters and leser levelers to minimize soil disturbance, reduce soil erosion by up to 90% and improve moisture retention
ii. Transitioning from fossils fuel powered tractors to solar powered irrigation and electric machinery can reduce greenhouse gas emission by 30-50%
iii. For mechanization to be sustainable, it must be profitable and market driven rather than reliant on continuous government subsidies.
iv. Mechanized threshers and dryers can reduce post-harvest grain losses from 25-30% to less than 10% directly increasing farmers income.
v. Mechanization can reduce the labour required for primary tillage from 500 hours per hectare (Manual) to just 1-2 hours with a tractor allowing farmers to cultivate larger areas or pursue off farm income.
vi. Policies must ensure that mechanization does not lead to mass rural unemployment or land consolidation that pushes small holders out of the sector.

LESSONS LEARNT FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRIES DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Nigeria and Pakistan can learn critical lessons from evolution of agricultural mechanization
from developed countries as follows:
i. Sustainable mechanization requires a shift away from just selling heavy machinery towards creating service-based ecosystem localized solution and supporting private sector led entrepreneurship.

ii. Instead of only focusing on large four wheeled tractors which are unsuited for small, fragmented plots. Both Nigeria & Pakistan should prioritized smaller versatile equipment like two-wheeled tractors power tillers and specialized planters.
iii. Machinery must be adapted to local conditions rather than imported and use as it is which reduces maintenance issues and improves operational efficiency.
iv. The most effective model for smallholders is accessing machinery through rental service providers rather than purchasing it directly reducing upfront capital cost.
v. Encourage local entrepreneurs to act as service providers allowing them to earn income by providing tillage, harvesting and shelling service to neighbours
vi. Utilize mobile apps to connect farmers with machine operators for e.g. (Hello Tractor Model in Nigeria) enhances efficiency, Transparency and Timely operations
vii. Success requires establishing local repair shops, training local mechanics and ensuring spare parts are available, rather than recycling on imported, unserviceable equipment.
viii. Beyond just fixing machines providers need training in business management scheduling and customer service to make the hiring business viable.
ix. Agricultural Mechanization must be included in the National Agricultural Investment Plans rather than managed as a separate ad-hoc or in some cases a political tool.
x. Modern mechanization should focus on reducing soil disturbance (e.g. Direct seeding or Zero tillage) to maintain soil health rather than heavy deep ploughing that causes soil erosion.
xi. Ensure that mechanization benefits all farmers including women who often dominate the manual labour force by providing tools that reduce their specific work drudgery.
xii. Rather than only looking at western models Nigeria specifically can learn from the rapid small scale mechanization experiences of Asian Countries which successfully scaled up two-wheeled tractor technology.

DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
LOG-FRAME MATRIX FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION IN NIGERIA
AND PAKISTAN OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME
i. Facilitate the adoption of mechanized farming practices, promote crop diversification and implement precision agriculture
ii. Increased access to modern agricultural machinery and equipments
iii. Improved technical knowledge and awareness among farmers about mechanized farming

iv. Enhance infrastructure and support services for mechanized farming
v. Strengthen market linkages and value chains for diversified crops.
vi. Implement precision Agricultural Technology for efficient resource management.

WAY FORWARD
i. Conduct training programmes and demonstration on mechanized farming techniques
ii. Provide subsidies or incentives for the purchase of Agricultural Machinery and Equipments
iii. Upgrade rural infrastructure including roads, electricity and irrigation facilities.
iv. Establish farmer cooperatives or machinery sharing arrangements to increase access to machinery
v. Develop market information system and facilitate access to markets for diversified crops
vi. Adopt Pilot precision Agriculture in collaboration with research institutions and private sector led partners.

CONCLUSIONS
In Conclusions I would like to give more emphasis to key barriers to Re-Engineering which affects the future of Agricultural Mechanization in Both Nigeria & Pakistan. These Include Fragmented land ownership makes it difficult to use large scale machinery effectively. Lack of rural roads and manufacturing infrastructure hinders the distribution and maintenance of machines. Successive government fail to maintain long term strategies leading to lip service rather than actual progress. I do sincerely hope that the current Policy makers shall give these issues the priority it deserves. I have already encroached long enough upon your precious time and will no more stand you and the Speakers.

Once again Thank you for your time and I wish you successful deliberations during the conference best of luck. Long live my Alma mater Sindh
Agriculture University Tandojam
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS
SINDH ZINDABAD
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
WASSALAM ALAIKUM