Agric equipment: Innoson offers hope to farmers

BY GODWIN OBI

The Innoson Group has said that if all goes well with its joint project with the University of Nigeria (UNN), the Lion brand of agricultural tractors and related equipment would in no distant future be rolled out to enhance the efforts to give food production in the country a lift.

According to the group, in view of its obvious advantages, including boost in productivity per hectare and increased economic returns to the farmers, there is no over emphasising the critical nature of mechanised agriculture, especially in a parlous economy like Nigeria’s.

Reacting to an appeal by a farmer, Chief Ebere Orji Odi, to the Chairman/CEO, Innoson Group, Dr. Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, to invest in the production of tractors and a range of other farm implements, the group commended Odi for his confidence in Chukwuma and the capacity of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM) to produce farm equipment in addition to manufacturing conventional vehicles.

A statement from Alfred Nwosu, a media consultant and a Director of Innoson, reads: “Our attention was recently drawn to a publication on page 15 of the Daily Sun of Friday, May 3, 2023, in which a farmer, Chief Ebere Orji Odi, made a fervent appeal to the Chairman/CEO, Innoson Group, Dr. Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma (CON), to invest in the production of tractors and a range of other farm implements.

“In the feature article, Chief Odi who is the Vice President (South East) of Maize Growers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN), underscored the importance of agriculture in the life of a nation, and the obvious adverse implications of having an army of unemployed youths in any society.

“It was also very interesting to read that the farmer said he delivered a letter conveying the appeal and recommendations to manufacture the farm equipment to the Innoson Group founder.

“We want to start by commending Chief Odi for his confidence in Chief Chukwuma and the capacity of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), a member of the Innoson Group, and first indigenous auto manufacturer in Nigeria, to produce farm equipment in addition to manufacturing conventional vehicles.

“We have since checked our records in our various offices, and there is no trace of a letter from either Chief Odi in person, MAGPAMAN or any other body, on the subject matter. However, at this moment, what should be more important to all concerned is the content, which it is believed, was accommodated in the May 3 publication under reference.

“In view of its obvious advantages, including boost in productivity per hectare and increased economic returns to the farmers, there is no over emphasising the critical nature of mechanised agriculture especially in a parlous economy like Nigeria’s.

“The farmers’ concerns resonate with us at Innoson Vehicles, and that was why, a couple of years ago, we initiated a joint venture with the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) for the production of tractors and related agricultural equipment.

“The project is presently witnessing a lull following the change of baton in the administration of the respected institution, but when the plant eventually comes on stream, it will be producing tractors and related implements that enhance mechanised agriculture, under the brand name of Lion.

This Lion project in the UNN is in line with IVM’s avowed commitment from inception to gradually satisfying the varied vehicular needs of the Nigerian market and the continent of Africa.

Though Chief Chukwuma’s vision of top quality mobility for the people first manifested with the production of Nigeria’s first indigenous (Innoson) brand of motorcycles in the 90s, this commitment was formally enunciated on October 15, 2010, when the then President Goodluck Jonathan commissioned the plant in Nnewi.

“The factory took off with the production of mini buses and pick-ups, with the former President so impressed that he directed that all government vehicles must thenceforth be sourced from Innoson and other local automakers.

“The ovation at the inauguration of the plant had hardly died down when Innoson commenced the expansion of the range with passenger cars, and later refuse management trucks.

The IVM line-up has since been expanded to include medium, city (mass transit) and inter-city buses, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), family vehicles, purpose-built 4×4 pick-ups, military vehicles, as well as specialised vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks.

Some of these vehicles have at different times been exported to Sierra Leone, Niger, Congo, Ghana, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso

“In 2022, well ahead of fuel subsidy withdrawal, Innoson scored another first by commencing the manufacture of vehicles that run on compressed natural gas (CNG).

“As a result of the wide acceptance of the CNG vehicles by Innoson, the company last year embarked on the construction of a new multi-billion naira plant dedicated to the production of only automobiles that run on CNG. The new factory, which has the capacity to produce 30,000 units of CNG vehicles annually, has been completed and is awaiting commissioning.

“The foregoing is a testament to Innoson Vehicles fulfilling its pledge at inception to manufacture products that not only meet the sundry mobility needs of the Nigerian people and the export market, but also suit the country’s motoring conditions.

“We decided to work you through the milestones in our production activities since 2010 as proof of the capacity to manufacture different types of IVM-badged vehicles for Nigeria and Africa.

“If all goes well with the joint project with the University of Nigeria, the Lion brand of agricultural tractors and related equipment would in no distant future be rolled out by Innoson to enhance the efforts to give food production in the country a lift.

“It will also assuage the yearnings of Chief Odi and other patriotic farmers in Nigeria, including associations like Mega Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (MERFAN) and MAGPAMAN.

“However, it is pertinent to state here that any huge investment towards supporting mechanisation in the agric sector is subject to two major factors being favourably in place: One is government policy and the other is appreciable volume of demands.

“A situation where government policies encourage importation of tractors to the detriment of producing them locally, will be a fatal disincentive.

“Moreover, can the farmers mobilise enough volume of demands to guarantee for IVM or other investors a good return on investments in the local production of tractors?

“As has been made manifestly clear, especially with the Lion project in the UNN, Chief Chukwuma and Innoson Vehicles share Chief Odi’s belief that farm implements should be manufactured here in Nigeria to reduce the cost and provide easy access to farmers.

“His optimism that if agriculture is given the deserved priority attention, many of the jobless youths will be employed, thereby reducing the socio-economic challenges facing the country, also resonates with us at Innoson Vehicles. We will, therefore, be glad to welcome Chief Odi, his associations and any practicable idea or ideas that they can come up with towards surmounting the identified challenges in order to achieve our common goals.”