Agriculture has long been the backbone of the country’s economy after Petroleum.
This is true for a considerable section of the population and a large portion of Nigeria’s GDP.
Modern farming methods, inadequate infrastructure, and restricted access to markets and funding are just a few of the industry’s difficulties.
All that will soon change, however. With AgriTech, the future of Agriculture in Nigeria has never been brighter. Nigerian agriculture will be more productive and sustainable in the future because of the new solutions that Agricultural Technology (AgriTech) has brought to these persistent problems.
Nigeria’s Agriculture Reality
Smallholder farms that mostly rely on manual labour and conventional farming methods make up the majority of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Notwithstanding the industry’s potential, low productivity is nevertheless a result of things like restricted usage of better seeds and fertilisers, poor storage facilities, and limited access to contemporary farming equipment.
A further concern is climate change, as unpredictable weather patterns have an impact on livestock and crop harvests.
The Rise of AgriTech: Future of Agriculture
The term “agritech” refers to a broad category of technologies intended to increase the productivity and efficiency of agricultural operations. This includes precision farming, smartphone applications for agricultural guidance, digital platforms for market access, and biotechnology for creating robust crop types.
AgriTech is slowly gaining recognition in Nigeria thanks to both localised creativity and developments in global technology.
Read Also: Regenerative Agriculture: Fostering Overall Health
Precision Farming
Precision farming monitors and manages crops with extreme accuracy using GPS, drones, sensors, and data analytics. This method lowers waste and increases output by enabling farmers to apply inputs like water, fertiliser, and insecticides more effectively.
Drones with multispectral cameras installed, for example, can evaluate crop health and pinpoint regions that require maintenance. This reduces environmental effects while also increasing production.
Read Also: Applicability Of Agricultural Drones In Nigeria
Digital Systems
Nigerian farmers are using digital platforms to access financial services and marketplaces in new ways.
Farmers can get much-needed funding and market access through e-commerce platforms like Farmcrowdy and Thrive Agric, which link them with investors and customers.
In order to assist farmers in implementing best practices and raising yields, these platforms also include educational resources.
Mobile financial services and Fintech solutions are reducing financial risks and building resilience for farmers by facilitating the acquisition of loans and insurance.
Biotechnology
In order to solve Nigeria’s problems with food security, biotechnology is essential. Scientists are creating crop varieties that are resistant to pests, diseases, and extreme weather conditions.
By using genetic alteration and breeding procedures, new crop varieties are born. Adopting these improved species can guarantee a steady supply of food and greatly increase agricultural productivity.
Furthermore, improvements in cattle breeding due to biotechnology developments are contributing to increased animal output and health.
Challenges in AgriTech
AgriTech has a lot of potentials, but there are a lot of obstacles in the way of its general adoption in Nigeria. Significant obstacles include the high cost of technology, the low accessibility of the internet in the north and rural areas, and farmers’ lack of technical know-how.
Furthermore, improved regulatory conditions are required to support innovation and safeguard intellectual property rights. These difficulties do, yet, also offer chances for improvement and progress.
Solutions include Encouraging public-private collaborations, which can be crucial in lowering the cost and increasing accessibility of AgriTech.
Farmers’ training programmes and government measures to upgrade rural internet connectivity can hasten the adoption of these technologies.
Furthermore, encouraging a regulatory environment that is favourable to the AgriTech industry can draw in more capital.
AgriTech Initiatives in Nigeria
Successful AgriTech initiatives in Nigeria demonstrate the transformative potential of technology in agriculture:
1. Farmcrowdy: Investors and smallholder farmers can interact through this digital network for agriculture.
Farmcrowdy has assisted in raising the productivity and incomes of thousands of farmers throughout Nigeria by giving them access to markets, training, and inputs.
2. mFarmer: Farmers may access real-time data on weather, market pricing, and optimal farming techniques using this mobile application.
mFarmer is enhancing decision-making and agricultural results by providing farmers with knowledge.
Future of Agriculture and Tech in Nigeria
Nigerian agriculture’s future depends on how well AgriTech is incorporated into the country’s traditional farming environment. Nigeria can overcome the obstacles preventing its agriculture industry from reaching its full potential and realise its promise by adopting technological breakthroughs.
All parties involved in this change must work together, including the government, the business sector, academic institutions, and the rural community. It will be essential to fund research and development as well as implement laws that support entrepreneurship and creativity. Moreover, educating farmers and enhancing their capabilities would guarantee that the advantages of AgriTech are felt by all.
Conclusion
AgriTech is the key to Nigeria’s agricultural sector becoming more resilient, sustainable, and productive. Nigeria can increase livelihoods, safeguard its food supply, and spur economic growth by utilising this technology.
