NITDA Boss Affirms Potential of Emerging Technologies in Agriculture Transformation

During the 2023 International Hybrid Symposium on Smart Agriculture held in Abuja, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), emphasised the significant role of emerging technologies in transforming the agriculture sector.

The symposium, organised by the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation, Morocco, focused on the future of smart agriculture and the pivotal role of emerging technologies in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Inuwa highlighted the progress made in the field of smart farming and acknowledged the power of data and computing technologies in enhancing the efficiency and predictability of farming operations. He stressed that every industry, including agriculture, has experienced the impact of the digital revolution, with farming evolving from primitive methods to mechanisation and now embracing the era of digital or smart farming.

Digital technologies have been recognised as critical enablers for agricultural transformation, addressing the global challenge of food production and supporting the achievement of SDG 2: zero hunger. Inuwa emphasised the need to increase agricultural production and profitability, attract youth to agribusiness, and leverage technology to diversify the economy. Digital technologies have the potential to reduce information access inequalities, improve resource management and sustainability, streamline buyer-seller connection, and enhance knowledge sharing and market access.

In line with its efforts to facilitate the digitisation of the agriculture sector, NITDA developed the Nigeria Digital Agriculture Strategy (NDAS) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other stakeholders. The strategy aims to position Nigeria among the top three food-secure countries in Africa and the top 20 exporters of agricultural produce by 2030 through the application of digital technologies and innovations.

To further drive digital transformation in agriculture, NITDA introduced the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) initiative. NAVSA leverages technology and innovation to address challenges such as low agricultural productivity and financing difficulties. The initiative employs closed and open wallet systems on mobile payment platforms to facilitate fund recovery, value farm produce, attract youth to agriculture enterprises, and contribute to GDP growth and economic development.

Inuwa highlighted the success of NAVSA, which has garnered attention from key players in the agricultural ecosystem and aligned with global best practices. NITDA has partnered with universities to implement NAVSA and nurture a new generation of smart farmers, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge for the future of agriculture.

During the symposium, Professor Armaya’u Hamisu-Bichi, the Vice Chancellor of the University, emphasised the importance of harnessing emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and data analytics, to achieve innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in agriculture. Smart agriculture, with its integration of cutting-edge technologies, has the potential to transform farming practices, increase productivity, optimize resource management, and enhance overall efficiency.

The symposium highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies and collective efforts to strike a balance between agricultural production and environmental preservation in the face of challenges like population growth and climate change.

With the commitment to harnessing the transformative power of emerging technologies, the agriculture sector in Nigeria is poised for substantial growth, job creation, and economic diversification, contributing to the nation’s development agenda and the attainment of the SDGs.