ISSAM Sensitization Project

Project Overview

The ISSAM project, led by Tractrac Mechanization Services Limited in partnership with Women in Mechanization Association (WIMA) and other stakeholders, aims to enhance access to small-scale mechanization services for smallholder farmers (SHFs) in Nigeria. The project addresses key barriers such as low mechanization access, financial constraints, and policy gaps while leveraging technology-driven solutions to optimize agricultural productivity.

The intervention is structured as a pilot program in Kaduna and Nasarawa states, serving as a proof of concept to attract private-sector investment for scalability. The project’s approach integrates mechanization service provision, capacity building, financial inclusion, and policy advocacy to create a sustainable and commercially viable ecosystem for smallholder farmers.

Project Goals & Objectives

• Improve smallholder farmers’ access to small-scale agricultural mechanization services, thereby reducing labor-intensive farming methods.
• Introduce affordable mechanization solutions (such as three-wheeled tractors, seed drills, sprayers, and threshers).
• Develop a community-led mechanization model, creating 6,054 direct work opportunities, including new Mechanization Service Providers (MSPs), mechanics, and booking agents.
• Enhance financial inclusion by enabling 28.5 million USD in new loan products for small-scale equipment procurement.
• Strengthen policy frameworks to institutionalize mechanization practices at national and state levels.
• Leverage technology solutions (e.g., IoT-enabled platforms, digital booking systems) to optimize service coordination and efficiency.

Key Project Components

• Mechanization Service Delivery
  • Smallholder farmers will receive bundled mechanization services, including land preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest processing.
  • Adoption of the three-wheeled Tryctor, a locally assembled tractor designed for small-scale farming needs.
• Capacity Building & Youth Employment
  • 4,068 new MSPs (mechanization service providers) trained.
  • 1,130 mentees onboarded through a mentorship model.
  • 856 existing MSPs upskilled and linked to financial institutions for equipment leasing.
  • Dedicated training programs for equipment operators, mechanics, and booking agents.
• Financial Inclusion & Equipment Financing
  • Collaboration with financial institutions (Sterling Bank, FCMB, Jaiz Bank) to provide credit facilities for mechanization service providers.
  • Development of repayment models where farmers can pay for services in cash or with farm produce.
• Technology-Enabled Service Coordination
  • Introduction of the Tractrac-Plus platform for on-demand tractor hiring, service booking, farm mapping, and fleet management.
  • Use of IoT solutions to track mechanization service demand and optimize logistics.
• Policy Advocacy & Institutional Strengthening
  • Engagement with the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) and other policymakers to create a national mechanization policy.
  • Policy reforms to increase access to small-scale mechanization technology, support local manufacturing, and improve import regulations for agricultural machinery.

Expected Impact

• 135,000 smallholder farmers will gain access to mechanization services, leading to higher crop yields and increased incomes.
• Creation of 5,198 dignified jobs for young people, including 2,542 jobs for women in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
• Reduction in farm drudgery and increase in farm efficiency, leading to higher productivity.
• Strengthened market systems that attract investment and stimulate long-term growth in the mechanization sector.
• Contribution to climate-smart agriculture by reducing reliance on manual labor and promoting sustainable mechanization practices.

Strategic Partners

• Tractrac Mechanization Services Limited – Lead implementing partner.
• Women in Mechanization Association (WIMA) – Sub-Implementing Partner and Mobilization of women farmers and cooperatives.
• National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) – Training and policy advisory partner.
• Tryctor Bespoke Design Concept – Manufacturer of three-wheeled tractors and mechanization tools.
• Financial Institutions (Sterling Bank, FCMB, Jaiz Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria) – Credit facility providers.