Tech to Revolutionize Agriculture, Boost Food Security in Nigeria – NITDA
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has stated that advanced technologies can revolutionize agricultural practices and improve food security in Nigeria.
Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of the Digital Economy Development Department, expressed this view at the launch of a survey on the digitization of supply chains in small-scale Nigerian farms, held on Friday in Abuja.
The survey launch was organized by AGROVESTO, an agritech startup and beneficiary of the iHatch Incubation Programme by NITDA, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), @KashifuInuwa, represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of the Digital Economy Development Department, delivered a keynote address at the launch of the Survey on Digitisation of Supply… pic.twitter.com/B6xxazrzIf
— NITDA Nigeria (@NITDANigeria) June 26, 2024
The project aims to enable smallholder farmers in Nigeria to thrive, increase their income, and expand their market opportunities, thereby creating wealth and prosperity for the country.
Inuwa, represented by Mr. Salisu Kaka, Director of the Digital Economy Department, highlighted those technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain could transform farming systems.
He emphasized that agriculture employs a significant number of Nigerians and accounted for 25.18% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, primarily through crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing, with crop production taking the largest share.
He pointed out that digitizing the supply chain for small-scale farms offers a transformative solution to the challenges of food security in the country.
Despite being the backbone of crop production in Nigeria, small-scale farmers face numerous challenges, including limited access to technology, high production costs, and limited finance, which hinder their productivity and economic potential.
Inuwa explained that supply chain optimization would ensure that small-scale farmers meet increasing consumer demands, enhance food quality and safety, and promote sustainable practices. This can be achieved through the adoption of technologies such as AI, which can handle time-demanding tasks using machine learning and predictive modelling.
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The IoT can monitor crops and generate real-time data to inform automation and best practices, while blockchain can provide end-to-end traceability in supply chains with shareable data. The IoT can also build consumer trust and make it easier to isolate and manage disease outbreaks in crops.
NITDA has been actively supporting the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector with initiatives like the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), which engaged 965 farmers in integrating technology into agriculture. Inuwa noted that the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, 2024–2027, emphasizes promoting technology in agriculture to boost food security, increase the sector’s GDP contribution, drive economic diversification, and create jobs.
Mr. Bayo Adewoye, Co-Founder of AGROVESTO, highlighted that 63.5% of small-scale farmers earned between N20,000 and N100,000 monthly during the sales season, with 63% selling their products in open markets.
He added that the project is designed to address these challenges and is expected to improve farmers’ income by connecting them to wider markets. Efficient supply chains, achieved by digitizing agricultural value chains, can reduce post-harvest losses and improve the flow of goods, benefiting both farmers and markets.
Adewoye further stated that the initiative would enhance digital literacy and empower farmers with digital skills, enabling them to leverage technology to access information and expand their market reach.
“We will roll out digitization of access to the market, which entails the design and integration of a tailored digital platform for market access,” he said.
NAN/Chidimma Gold
