The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has emphasised the transformative potential of advanced technologies in revolutionising agricultural practices and enhancing food security in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch of a survey on the digitization of supply chains in small-scale Nigerian farms, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, highlighted the critical role of these technologies.
The event, held on Friday in Abuja, was organised by AGROVESTO, an agritech startup and beneficiary of the iHatch Incubation Programme by NITDA, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The initiative aims to empower smallholder farmers in Nigeria, increasing their income and market opportunities, thereby fostering national prosperity.
Represented by Mr. Salisu Kaka, Director of the Digital Economy Department, Inuwa noted that technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain have the potential to transform farming systems.
“Agriculture employs a significant number of Nigerians and accounted for 25.18 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, primarily through crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing, with crop production taking the largest share,” he said.
“Digitising the supply chain for small-scale farms offers a transformative solution to the challenges of food security in the country.”
Inuwa elaborated on the challenges faced by small-scale farmers, who are the backbone of crop production in Nigeria.
These challenges include limited access to technology, high production costs, and limited financial resources, which hinder their productivity and economic potential.
According to him, supply chain optimization would enable small-scale farmers to meet increasing consumer demands, enhance food quality and safety, and promote sustainable practices.
“This can be achieved through technologies like AI, which can handle time-demanding tasks using machine learning and predictive modelling. The IoT can monitor crops and generate real-time data to inform automation and best practices, while blockchain can provide end-to-end traceability in supply chains with shareable data,” he said.
He also noted that IoT could build consumer trust and help manage disease outbreaks in crops.
NITDA has been actively supporting the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector through initiatives such as the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), which has engaged 965 farmers in integrating technology into agriculture.
Inuwa mentioned that NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, 2024–2027, focuses on promoting technology in agriculture to boost food security, increase the sector’s GDP contribution, drive economic diversification, and create jobs.
Mr. Bayo Adewoye, Co-Founder of AGROVESTO, added that 63.5 percent of small-scale farmers earn between N20,000 and N100,000 monthly during the sales season, with 63 percent selling their products in open markets. Adewoye explained that the project is designed to address these challenges and is expected to improve farmers’ income by connecting them to wider markets.
“Efficient supply chains by digitising agricultural value chains can reduce post-harvest losses and improve the flow of goods, benefiting farmers and markets,” he said.
The initiative will also enhance digital literacy, empowering farmers with digital skills to access information and expand their market reach. “We will roll out the digitization of market access, which entails the design and integration of a tailored digital platform for market access,” he added.