By Chinenye Anuforo
Nigeria boasts over 70 million hectares of arable land, with the potential to feed not just the nation, but the entire continent. Recognising this potential, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced a partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to combat food insecurity through digital solutions.
This collaboration comes as a response to President Bola Tinubu’s focus on boosting agriculture for food security. NITDA, traditionally focused on developing national IT policy, recognises the power of technology to enhance productivity across various sectors, including agriculture.
NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, said: “We’re actively developing an agricultural strategy with IT at its core, aiming to make farming a more attractive proposition for younger generations.”
Inuwa further details six key technologies NITDA believes will be instrumental in achieving food security which are Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Blockchain, Robotics and Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing).
He said a collaborative AI strategy workshop is underway to explore AI applications in agriculture, healthcare, and education and that IoT will be used for crop and soil monitoring, precision irrigation, climate monitoring, and livestock tracking. Drones will facilitate pest detection, water control, and yield assessment, while blockchain will ensure farm produce traceability from farm to store, improving record-keeping and quality assurance.
He said robotics will enhance agricultural productivity through tasks like weeding, harvesting, and tractor operation and 3D printing will be used to upscale local manufacturing in the agricultural sector, enabling the production of crop and soil monitoring devices, customised equipment.
NITDA’s said that with over 12,000 registered startups already, it aims to empower and support young entrepreneurs involved in agricultural technology. Josh Woodard, a Senior Digital Advisor with USAID said that its commitment aligns with NITDA’s goals and USAID’s recent launch of a Global Food Security Strategy for Nigeria (2024-2029), developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The meeting also explored the potential of the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) program and the success stories and expansion plans were discussed, with an invitation for USAID’s participation.
This collaboration between NITDA and USAID signifies a promising step towards achieving food security in Nigeria by harnessing the power of technology and fostering innovation in the agricultural sector.