Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, has taken a bold step towards transforming the country’s agricultural sector by wooing Turkish tractor manufacturer, Hattat Traktör, to establish an assembly plant in Ghana.

The move forms part of a broader government initiative to mechanize agriculture and make farming equipment easily accessible to farmers through a Farmer Service Centre model.

During a working visit to the company’s production facility in Istanbul, Mr. Opoku toured the Hattat Traktör factory to assess its capacity and product suitability for Ghana’s agricultural terrain.

Hattat Traktör, a well-established name in the tractor manufacturing industry, boasts a production capacity of 2,500 units annually and employs 3,097 workers.

Accompanied by his technical adviser, Mr. Kwasi Etu-Bonde, the Minister explored how Ghana could benefit from the company’s expertise.

He also personally tested some of the tractors to experience their performance and suitability for Ghanaian soil conditions.

Impressed by the company’s understanding of Africa’s agricultural needs, Minister Opoku highlighted that Hattat Traktör produces tractors suited to mechanical rather than electronic operations — a practical approach given the unique farming conditions on the continent.

“The company understands the African terrain and produces tractors that are robust, simple to operate, and ideal for small to medium-scale farmers.

This is exactly what Ghana needs,” the Minister said.

A key highlight of the visit was Minister Opoku’s lobbying for the establishment of a tractor assembly plant in Ghana.

Following fruitful discussions, Hattat Traktör agreed to provide technical support to its Ghanaian partner, 10G Globaltech Ltd, to set up the assembly plant in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

This collaboration is expected to play a vital role in the mechanization of Ghana’s agriculture sector, reduce import dependency on farm equipment, and ensure sustainable access to affordable, locally-assembled tractors for farmers.

Hattat Traktör expressed satisfaction with the discussions and affirmed its readiness to partner with Ghana to boost food production through innovation and localized support.

The move aligns with the Ministry’s broader agenda to modernize agriculture, create jobs, and ensure food security through strategic partnerships and investments in agro-industrial infrastructure.