The Founder and CEO of the Global Youth AgriTech Network (GYANT), Dr. Idongesit Mbaram, has issued a rallying call to young innovators across the world to reimagine agriculture as a digital, climate-smart, and globally connected enterprise, capable of feeding a rapidly growing population and transform livelihoods.
Speaking at the Global AgriTech Innovation Seminar 2025, held at the One Tech Hub in Aberdeen, Dr. Mbaram declared that the time for “business as usual” in agriculture is over. Instead, she urged youth innovators, policymakers, scientists, and entrepreneurs gathered from around the world to embrace technology as a powerful lever for change.
“We are gathered here not for business as usual, but for something extraordinary. With technology in our hands, we have the tools to make the moral right of food a reality,” she said.
Citing Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug’s belief that “food is the moral right of all who are born into this world,” Dr. Mbaram emphasized that the future of agriculture will be determined not by chance but by the deliberate actions and bold ideas of a new generation.
“The future we want will not happen by chance. It will happen because of what we design, decide, and deliver together in gatherings like this,” she added.
Cultivating the Future of Food Systems
Themed “Cultivating the Future: Connecting AgriTech Innovation to Impact Capital,” this year’s seminar explored how digital technologies, innovation, and youth-led enterprises can transform global food systems in the face of climate change, rapid population growth, and food security challenges.
Delivering the keynote address, Jerry Cunningham, Managing Director of American West African Agro Ltd., challenged outdated perceptions of agriculture as “hard, unattractive, and unprofitable.” He argued that agritech is rewriting the narrative by making farming more efficient, profitable, and data-driven.
“Agritech is changing this perception by making farming more efficient, profitable, and data-driven. Young people must become job creators, not job seekers,” Cunningham urged, noting the projected 50% increase in food demand by 2050.
Voices from the Frontlines of Agri-Innovation
The seminar featured dynamic panel discussions with leading experts exploring how technology, finance, policy, and local innovation can accelerate agricultural transformation.
Bolaji Akinboro, a visionary entrepreneur in FinTech and AgriTech, highlighted the need for patient capital and technology domestication, stressing that innovations must be adapted to local realities rather than imported wholesale.
Dr. Adekunle Oke, Senior Lecturer at Leeds Business School, emphasized empowering SMEs and family-owned farms as a cornerstone of sustainable innovation and resilient food systems.
Tech entrepreneur Pete Preston, founder of Settlrz Ltd. and Everything AI, demystified Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, calling for foundational understanding among farmers and rural communities to unlock their full potential.
Caroline Okafor, an Agile Program Manager and business consultant, addressed the social and cultural barriers hindering youth participation in agriculture, advocating for grassroots engagement through inclusive education and community-driven frameworks.
From the public sector perspective, Dr. Angel Adelaja-Kuye, Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security to the Governor of Ogun State, underscored the importance of infrastructure and inclusivity in scaling agritech adoption. She cited practical examples, such as solar-powered cold hubs and mobile technologies co-developed with Nourishing Africa, Huawei, and MTN, which are enhancing farmers’ access to storage, markets, and digital services.
Legal expert Oleksandr Chernykh from the Ukrainian National Bar Association discussed how robust legal frameworks, including blockchain regulation and cross-border investment policies, can attract sustainable financing for agritech ventures.
Emmanuel Zoe Agbesi, Founder of BoomBees Bloc, stressed the importance of capacity building and continuous learning to ensure youth-led agribusinesses thrive beyond pilot stages. He noted that recent policy actions in Nigeria, such as declaring a state of emergency in agriculture and recapitalizing the Bank of Agriculture, have set the stage for youth-driven innovation.
“This is the moment for young people to leverage agri-tech and ICT to drive agricultural development in Africa,” Agbesi declared.
In closing, Dr. Mbaram urged participants to move beyond conversations and commit to building collaborative solutions that drive real impact.
“Let this be a launchpad for bold collaborations, a marketplace of breakthrough ideas, and a catalyst for real change. May the seeds we plant today grow into a harvest of innovation, resilience, and prosperity for all,” she said.
The Global AgriTech Innovation Seminar 2025 reaffirmed that the future of agriculture lies in the hands of a tech-savvy, visionary generation ready to harness innovation for food security, climate resilience, and inclusive growth.
