Nigeria’s agricultural sector is on the brink of a digital transformation as stakeholders push for the integration of advanced technologies and mechanization to enhance food security and drive economic growth.
The National Agricultural Mechanization and Innovation Summit, recently held in Lagos, highlighted the critical role of digital technologies in optimizing the agricultural value chain.
The summit, themed “Agricultural Mechanisation Value Chain Optimisation: The Inevitability of Digital Technologies,” brought together experts advocating for modern solutions to improve the sector.
The Director of Agriculture and Agro-Allied Raw Materials Research Development Council, Sam C. Ebiriekwe lamented the sector’s reliance on traditional tools, which have stifled efficiency and productivity for decades.
He stressed the need for modern approaches, stating, “By embracing innovations such as blockchain, precision agriculture, IoT, AI, and robotics, Nigeria can revolutionize productivity, ensure soil health, enhance fertilizer application, and improve traceability, reducing fraud while boosting global market competitiveness.”
Ebiriekwe added that integrating these technologies into agricultural mechanization would position Nigeria as a leader in agricultural production across Africa and the globe.
Chisom Udemezue, Technology and Innovation Adviser at the West Africa Research and Innovation Hub, emphasized the role of agricultural drones and sensors in reducing waste and enhancing decision-making.
She noted the vast opportunities digital agriculture presents in terms of revenue generation, job creation, and economic growth.
However, Udemezue highlighted the importance of financial sustainability for agricultural innovation hubs, advocating for revenue models beyond grants.
Stephanie Ibyem, a food processor from Benue State, shared her perspective on the importance of localized technological solutions.
She stated, “To ensure export-ready products, we need quality machines, such as stainless steel equipment, which meet international standards.” While acknowledging the benefits of these technologies, Ibyem flagged the high costs of such equipment as a challenge for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Ola Oladimeji, President of the Connection of Stakeholders in Agricultural Mechanisation (CONESAM), stressed the importance of training farmers on how to incorporate digital solutions into food production.
He called for increased government support and stakeholder collaboration to drive food security in Nigeria, stating that sustainable agricultural development hinges on a robust partnership between the public and private sectors.