The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has resolved to utilise the advantages of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain in revolutionising agricultural practices and enhancing food security in Nigeria.
This initiative represents a significant step towards leveraging technology to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, promising increased productivity, enhanced market access, and improved livelihoods for smallholder farmers across the country.
The agency’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, conveyed this during a keynote speech at the launch of the Survey on the Digitisation of Supply-Chain in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms Project.
Inuwa, represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of Digital Economy Department, spoke at the event organised by AGROVESTO, in partnership with NITDA, the Office for Nigeria Digital Innovation (ONDI), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).
The event marked the launch of a project aimed at enabling smallholder farmers in Nigeria to thrive, increase their income, and expand market opportunities, thereby contributing to the country’s wealth and prosperity through agriculture.
Inuwa highlighted that agriculture employs a significant portion of Nigerians and accounts for 25.18% of Nigeria’s GDP in 2023, emphasising the pivotal role of crop production. He asserted that digitising the supply chain for small-scale farms offers a transformative solution to the country’s food security challenges.
Inuwa detailed the numerous challenges faced by small-scale farmers, including limited access to technology, high production costs, and poor market access.
He emphasised that supply chain optimisation through advanced technologies can address these issues, enhance food quality and safety, and promote sustainable practices. AI, IoT, and blockchain were highlighted as key technologies that can revolutionise agriculture by handling time-consuming tasks, providing real-time data, and ensuring end-to-end traceability in supply chains.
NITDA has been actively supporting the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector through initiatives like the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), which has engaged 965 farmers in integrating technology into agriculture.
The agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2024-2027 (SRAP 2.0) focuses on promoting technology in agriculture to boost food security, increase the sector’s GDP contribution, and create jobs, a process that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Inuwa cited successful examples from other countries, noting that agriculture contributes 33% to Kenya’s GDP and highlighting JICA’s Small Horticulture Empowerment & Promotion (SHEP) Approach, which doubled the income of 2,500 small-scale farmers between 2007 and 2009. Bayo Adewoye, Co-founder/CEO of AGROVESTO, shared insights from the project’s design, which aims to improve farmers’ income by connecting them to wider markets through digital tools.
The initiative is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance digital literacy, and empower farmers with digital skills. Future steps include rolling out digitised market access platforms and ongoing monitoring and evaluation activities in collaboration with JICA and ONDI.
