This paper takes a good look at mechanization approach in helping farmers and processors solve
their needs in boosting food security in the rural areas of Nigeria. It delved into the history of
mechanization during the pre-independence and post-independence era. The colonialist saw the
great need to boost food production through the introduction of tractors, planters, harvesters and
processing machinery for agricultural development. After Nigeria’s independence in 1960,
successive government recognized the importance of mechanization for the development of the
agricultural sector which brought about introducing diverse programmes and initiatives to
encourage mechanized farming. One of such programmes was, operation feed the nation (OFN)
where farmers were encouraged to embrace mechanized farming techniques as against the old
traditional way of farming that involved mainly the use of hoes and cutlasses in carrying out
farming operations. In the same vein, the Green Revolution was introduced to promote
mechanization and modern agricultural practices. The importance of mechanization to both
farmers and processors are numerous as it helps the farmers to minimize time and labour, increase
their yield and as well improving the efficient use of resources. Mechanized equipment enable
processors to carry out more volumes of agricultural products proficiently. This paper also looked
into the myriad of challenges faced by farmers and processors as these include mechanization and
environmental impact, inadequate access to information and technical know-how, high startup
cost, uneven and small land holdings, availability and problem of quality machine/equipment, low
market demand and poor marketing channels, cultural beliefs and socio-economic factors, low
technical know-how of mechanization, lack of adequate infrastructural facilities and lack of
maintenance and repair services. Resulting from these challenges faced by both farmers and processors, the paper offered ways forward on the country’s drive for food sufficiency through the
effective use of mechanization by farmers and processors in the rural areas of Nigeria