The Member of Parliament for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu, has launched a constituency-wide agricultural mechanisation initiative aimed at boosting food production, creating jobs, and transforming farming in the area.

The project, anchored by the Soyalana Agricultural Mechanisation Centre (SAMC), provides mechanised farming services, agricultural advisory support, and agribusiness opportunities for farming communities across the constituency.

Speaking at the launch, Iddrisu said the initiative is designed to modernise agriculture and reduce the challenges farmers face, particularly reliance on manual labour and delayed access to farm inputs and services.

“This is about opportunity, dignity and results. Agriculture must not be seen as just a survival activity but as a modern business that can create wealth and transform communities,” he said.

He added that farmers in Tolon already have the land, labour, and determination needed for success, stressing that leadership must focus on creating the systems that enable them to thrive.

For generations, agriculture has remained the backbone of livelihoods in Tolon, but productivity has often been affected by limited access to mechanisation, dependence on rain-fed farming, and inadequate extension services.

The new initiative seeks to address these challenges through a decentralised service model. The constituency has been divided into five operational zones, each supplied with a tractor and a full range of implements, including ploughs, harrows, planters, harvesters, threshers, shellers, and sprayers.

The zones include Lungbunga/Kasulyili, Yogg/Chirifoyili, Tali/Gburimani, Tolon Central, and Nyankpala/Worrebogu. A central support tractor has also been stationed at the mechanisation centre to supplement operations across all areas.

According to the MP, the structure is intended to reduce waiting times for farmers and ensure equitable access to mechanised services during the farming season.

Beyond machinery, the project also integrates agricultural advisory services through radio, television, and mobile platforms. Farmers will receive guidance on climate-smart agriculture, soil fertility management, use of certified seeds, and improved agronomic practices.

The centre will also facilitate linkages between farmers, agro-dealers, buyers, and markets to improve access to inputs and strengthen value chains.

Meanwhile, strong focus has been placed on youth and women in agribusiness. The initiative includes training in mechanisation services, support for youth-led farming enterprises, and empowerment programmes for women, including greenhouse vegetable production.

The initiative also adopts a subsidised pricing model to ensure affordability while maintaining operational sustainability.

The project has been welcomed by residents, many of whom say it could significantly improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses in the area.

As the rainy season sets in, farmers in Tolon are expected to begin accessing the new services, with tractors already deployed across the constituency.