A tractor Assembly plant that will cater for the agricultural equipment needs of farmers has become operational in  Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, during the inauguration ceremony of the first set of 50 Sonalika Agricultural tractors assembled by the Parco Gateway Integrated Tractor Assembly Plant, described the development as a major leap forward for agriculture and a boost for the country’s march to self sufficiency in food production.

He listed other gains of the Parco Gateway Agric Machinery limited  assembly plant to include  availability of tractors for farmers    through outright purchase, lease or hire, making  farming attractive to youths through mechanized option, increase employment , enhancement of  the economic potentials  of the State’s three Free Trade Zones while   also giving further impetus to the administration’s  industrialization policy.  The Governor said the Parco group which assembled the tractors in the premises of the Gateway Equipment Hire Services Limited in Abeokuta would soon move to a permanent site on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway where land had already been allocated.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Parco Group said the production of Sonalika tractors began  in India in 1995 and by 2008 had become one of the world’s fastest growing tractor companies posting 36,000 unit sales last year. He attributed the growing popularity of the Sonalika brand  to the craftsmanship of the products assuring farmers in Ogun State and the country of top of the range equipment   that include , harvesters , threshers ,harrows and other configuration that would make farming more rewarding for the practitioners.

He praised the Ogun State Government for aligning with the Federal Government by taking appropriate steps to increase food production and boost agriculture.

He said going by the support the new company, which is a joint venture between the Parco Group and the Ogun State Government, has enjoyed from the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, it is now in a position to offer agricultural tractors at comparatively cheaper prices while also providing modern repair and maintenance facility.

Mr. Gboyega Isiaka, the Group Managing Director of Gateway Holdings Limited, the Investment arm of the Ogun State Government which is driving the initiative with the Parco Group said the multi million Naira assembly plant is another testimony to the gains of the robust public private partnership approach to governance by the Gbenga Daniel’s administration.