In a major push to modernize the agriculture sector, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson announced in the 2026 Budget Statement that the government will provide about 4,400 agricultural machines to 50 districts under the Farmer Service Centres initiative.
The move is aimed at increasing mechanization, improving productivity, and supporting farmers across the country
The initiative represents a continuation of government efforts over previous years to address challenges in agriculture, including low mechanization levels, dependence on manual labour, and limited access to modern farming equipment.
The program aligns with the administration’s broader policy of enhancing food security, promoting agribusiness, and creating jobs in rural communities.
Dr. Forson detailed that the machinery package includes 660 tractors, 300 tractor trailers, and 200 mini-tractors, alongside complementary equipment such as 200 mini-tractor trailers, tillers, cultivators, ploughs, harrows, cutter bars, and mowers.
In addition, the government will supply 460 3-disc ploughs, 200 4-disc ploughs, 330 16-disc harrows, 100 mineral fertilizer spreaders, 100 4-row precision seed drills, 100 6-row precision seed drills, and 100 32-row pneumatic seed drills.
The program also extends to crop-specific machinery, including 300 800L boom sprayers, 50 combine harvesters, 50 maize headers, and 25 soybean headers for combine harvesters, ensuring that mechanization covers both cultivation and harvesting processes.
The Minister emphasized that the deployment of these machines is expected to improve farm efficiency, reduce labor costs, and increase output, particularly in districts with high agricultural potential.
By targeting 50 districts, the government aims to create hubs of mechanized farming that can serve as models for neighboring communities.
Previous initiatives under the Farmer Service Centres have focused on training farmers in modern techniques and improving access to subsidized inputs.
However, the 2026 allocation represents the largest single-scale mechanization program in recent years, reflecting the administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a more productive and commercially viable sector.
He indicated that the distribution of machinery will be coupled with operator training programs to ensure effective utilization and maintenance, while also encouraging private sector participation in farm services.
