The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has urged Nigerian farmers to embrace digital and technology-driven agricultural practices to boost food production and ensure national food security.
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during an ‘Innovation and Startups Roundtable’ with youths, tech entrepreneurs, and solution providers at the Ogun Tech Community, Tijani emphasized that Nigeria cannot produce enough food to feed its growing population without integrating technology into agriculture.
He described the fusion of agriculture and technology as essential to revolutionizing farming in Nigeria ensuring food security, creating jobs, increasing farmers’ income, lowering food prices, and reducing the country’s dependence on food imports that deplete foreign exchange reserves.
Highlighting Nigeria’s vast arable land and agricultural potential, the minister encouraged farmers to adopt modern technologies such as mobile applications, sensors, and drones. These tools, he explained, can enhance farm productivity by providing real-time data on crop health, pest control, soil conditions, and intrusions helping farmers make informed decisions for better yields and profitability.
Tijani also cited Ukraine as an example, noting that the country’s use of agricultural technology has been crucial in maintaining its grain production capacity despite ongoing conflict with Russia.
