The Country Director of Heifer International Nigeria, Dr Lekan Tobe, has called for greater adoption of technology in agriculture to address food insecurity and improve efficiency in the sector.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the soft launch of the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge 2025, he said technological innovations are crucial to transforming agriculture and empowering young entrepreneurs.
The AYuTe Nigeria Challenge, an initiative of Heifer International, is designed to support young agri-tech innovators in developing solutions to challenges within the agricultural value chain.
Tobe noted that the programme aligns with Heifer’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s youth take charge of shaping the future of agriculture through the use of technology to drive efficiency, productivity, and employment creation.
He explained that technology plays a crucial role in modernising Nigeria’s agricultural sector, helping to tackle major challenges such as low productivity, inefficiencies in the value chain, and limited access to finance.
According to him, digital solutions allow farmers to improve tracking systems, access real-time data on soil health and pest control, and reach broader markets, ultimately boosting food production.
“We want to align ourselves with the programmes of the government, the vision of the government of Nigeria on food security. And to do that, you cannot run away from technology because it helps you to digitize, and digitization helps you to reach many more, and cover more ground than you would do without technology.
“Technology also brings efficiency into the food system, improves investment effectiveness, and enables better tracking of impact,” Tobe said.
He stated that digitisation is essential for agricultural expansion, enabling stakeholders to cover more ground and optimise investments.
He pointed out that over 80 per cent of Nigerian farmers are smallholders, which poses a challenge but also creates opportunities for innovative solutions.
The AYuTe Challenge, he said, is aimed at inspiring young Nigerians to use technology in solving these pressing issues.
Heifer International, a global non-profit organisation that has operated for over 80 years, has impacted 46 million smallholder farmers across America, Asia, and Africa.
In Nigeria, its focus has been on empowering young people to use technology as a driver of growth in agriculture.
Tobe highlighted that with 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population made up of youth, engaging them in agricultural innovation is essential for the country’s food security.
He noted that past winners of the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge have successfully turned their ideas into thriving businesses, thanks to the technical and business development support provided by Heifer International.
He added that beyond the competition’s prize money, the organisation offers mentorship, networking opportunities with investors, and access to funding to ensure these startups evolve into fully commercialised ventures.
For the 2025 edition, the total prize pool remains at $40,000, with the first-place winner receiving $20,000, the first runner-up $12,000, and the second runner-up $8,000.
Tobe, however, stressed that the challenge is about more than just the financial rewards.
He noted that many past winners have become programme partners, helping to implement solutions to agricultural challenges and attracting investments that enable their businesses to scale.
The initiative is open to all agricultural solutions, including disease and pest control, soil health management, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.
Heifer’s goal is to encourage young innovators to develop technologies that address key constraints in agriculture and improve the entire food system.
Reflecting on the challenges faced since launching the programme in Nigeria, Tobe acknowledged that some top-10 finalists from previous editions struggled to sustain their innovations.
To address this, Heifer International has introduced a follow-up programme that provides technical assistance and business development support to promising agri-tech startups.
He stated that while some participants lacked access to investors, others required mentorship to refine their business models, and Heifer’s ongoing support is designed to ensure that viable ideas do not fade away after the competition but develop into sustainable businesses.
He stressed that achieving food security in Nigeria requires the full integration of technology into agriculture, adding that aligning with government policies on food security is essential for long-term success.
