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By Juliet Umeh
Experts in agriculture in the country are advocating a significant increase in youth involvement in the sector, emphasizing the crucial role of technology in transforming the food systems and driving economic growth.
Speaking at an event organised by the Lions Club International District 404B2, in collaboration with Ikeja Dynamic Lions Club, in Lagos, the experts underscored the importance of leveraging agricultural technology to attract young people to the sector.
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CEO of Aquatic Hub Afrique Network, Mr. Steve Okeleji, highlighted the urgent need to harness Nigeria’s agricultural potential through the adoption of modern technologies.
He said: “Nigeria has more than enough capacity to feed itself. With approximately three to four million hectares of arable land, we can achieve food sufficiency if we invest in the right agricultural practices and technologies.”
Okeleji praised the federal government’s recent decision to remove subsidies, viewing it as a critical step towards revitalizing agriculture.
He asserted that with appropriate investments in technology, Nigeria could eliminate the need for food imports, given the country’s abundant natural resources. On his part, the Managing Director and Founder of Integrated Precision, Mr. Femi Adekoya, elaborated on the transformative impact of precision agriculture technologies.
“Precision agriculture, including drone technology, is revolutionizing farming by eliminating guesswork, providing essential data on soil and crop health, and enabling farmers to optimize their resources,” Adekoya explained.
He stressed the importance of commercializing agriculture to ensure profitability for smallholder farmers.
He added: “With technology, we can help farmers scale production, reduce costs, and ultimately achieve food security in Nigeria.’’
In her remarks, Mrs. Tolulope Sobanjo, District Governor for District 404B2 Nigeria, reinforced the need to engage young people in agriculture by making the sector more appealing through technological advancements.
“The traditional methods of farming are no longer sustainable. We need to transform the food system, and technology is key to making agriculture exciting and accessible for the youth,” she said.
Participants at the engagement called on both the government and the private sector to invest in agricultural technologies and create opportunities for young Nigerians to lead the transformation of the country’s food systems.