IYD 2024: Experts advise Nigerian youths to embrace tech-driven agriculture

Experts in modern agricultural practices have advised Nigerian youths to venture into technology-driven agriculture to solve the challenges of food insecurity in the country and the continent.

The experts spoke in Lagos on Monday at an event organised by the Lions Club International (District 404B2) in collaboration with Leo District 404B2 to commemorate the 2024 International Youth Day (IYD), celebrated annually on August 12.

This year’s theme of IYD is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth digital pathways for sustainable development”.

At the event, agriculturalists and other stakeholders deliberated on “Transforming food systems: youth innovation for human and planetary health”.

During the panel discussion moderated by Seun Onigbinde, director and co-founder of BudgIT, experts discussed the opportunities and challenges in modern agricultural techniques.

Steve Okeleji, the founder of Aquatic Hub Afrique Network (AHAN), spoke about how he had deployed new technologies and methods to grow fish as an aquaculturist.

Okeleji said the growing population of Nigeria presents an opportunity for youths to venture into agriculture to ensure food sufficiency in the country.

The aquaculturist urged youths to discard the thinking that agriculture can only be done through “old ways and methods.”

He added that cutting-edge technologies are transforming agricultural practices.

“In the aquaculture industry, we have been able to do something different because we see that we cannot continue to grow fish in the conventional way,” Okeleji said.

“What we have come to do is win you to our side to join us as farmers to begin to feed the present and next generations.”

Also, Femi Adekoya, founder of Integrated Aerial Precision, spoke about how his firm is using drone technology to provide aerial insights to farmers.

Adekoya said farmers can now use drones to spray pesticides, map their farmlands, and address other farming challenges.

He added that with precision agriculture, farmers will no longer rely on guesswork but on reliable data.

On his part, Samson Ogbole, team lead at Soilless Farm Lab, said the traditional way of agriculture can no longer sustain the country amid the rising population.

Ogbole said with modern farming methods like greenhouse farming, many crops can be planted even when they are out of season.

He noted that there is a need for a huge investment in agriculture to assist farmers in adopting modern technologies.