Agro-Tech and Youth Engagement: Can Innovation Disrupt Nigeria’s Ageing Farming Population and Boost Productivity?
By Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Development Economist | Policy Consultant | Co-Founder, Global Human Capital & Energy Management Ltd.
“If the average farmer is 60 and the average youth is unemployed, then innovation is the bridge.”
~ Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Farming in Nigeria is at a critical crossroads.
Despite agriculture being the largest employer of labour in Nigeria—engaging over 35% of the population—the sector is aging. The average Nigerian farmer is over 60 years old, yet the median age of the Nigerian population is just 18.1 years (World Bank, 2023). This demographic mismatch poses a threat to future food security, economic growth, and rural stability.
But amid this crisis lies a golden opportunity: Agro-Tech.
Why are millions of tech-savvy youths uninterested in farming?
Why does agriculture still conjure images of hoes and cutlasses instead of drones and dashboards?
Is it a lack of innovation, access to capital, or simply the stigma of “dirty work”?
The answer is: All of the above—and more.
The Challenge: Ageing, Inefficiency, and Perception
Over 70% of Nigeria’s farmers operate at subsistence level, with low access to modern tools or markets.
Manual labour dominates 90% of farming operations in rural Nigeria (FAO, 2022).
Youth unemployment is above 42.5% (NBS, Q1 2024), yet they shun agriculture due to low profitability and outdated practices.
There is a perception disconnect—agriculture is seen as a last resort, not a viable profession.
What Is Agro-Tech? And Why Is It the Game-Changer?
Agro-Tech (Agricultural Technology) refers to the use of modern digital and mechanical tools—like drones, IoT sensors, mobile apps, AI, blockchain, and big data—to improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability in farming.
Imagine this:
A 25-year-old in Nasarawa uses a drone to scan maize fields for pests.
A co-op in Ogun uses blockchain to track produce from farm to market.
A mobile app in Sokoto helps farmers access real-time pricing and rainfall forecasts.
This isn’t fiction. This is Agro-Tech in motion.
Quote to Reflect On
“The future of agriculture isn’t in sweat. It’s in sensors.”
~ African AgriTech Alliance, 2023
Solutions: How Agro-Tech Can Engage Youth and Transform Farming
Tech-Enabled Training Hubs
Introduce smart farms and agritech bootcamps in rural areas through government-private partnerships (GPP).
Agri-Financing Platforms
Micro-credit fintech apps tailored for young agro-entrepreneurs, eliminating the bottlenecks of traditional banks.
Digital Market Access
Mobile apps like FarmCrowdy, Thrive Agric, and Hello Tractor connect farmers directly to buyers and equipment on demand.
Incentivized Incubation Grants
Government-backed seed funds for youth-led Agri-startups that deploy digital innovations.
Gamifying Agriculture
Integrate ARVR, AI-based simulators, and interactive online learning for agriculture into schools and polytechnics to demystify the sector.
What Are the Returns? Why Should We Care?
A 1% increase in tech adoption in agriculture leads to 3% productivity gain, according to McKinsey Agri Insights.
Agro-Tech can create over 5 million jobs across its value chains in the next five years—mechanization, e-commerce, logistics, data, processing.
Nigeria has 84 million hectares of arable land. Less than 40% is cultivated. Innovation can unlock the rest.
Obstacles to Overcome
Low Broadband Penetration in Rural Areas
Most Agro-Tech tools require internet access. Only 32% rural connectivity exists (NCC, 2024).
Limited Government Investment
Agriculture gets less than 2.2% of national budget allocation, far below the 10% Maputo Declaration benchmark.
Policy Inconsistencies
Young innovators face red tape, high taxes, and unpredictable policy shifts.
If youth are the future, but agriculture has no youth—then what future are we building?
Is it possible to feed 300 million people by 2050 using 1960s farming methods?
Absolutely not.
Recommendations
Establish National Agro-Tech Development Fund
A dedicated fund to support startups and agripreneurs with capital, tools, and mentorship.
Create a Unified Agro-Tech Policy Framework
Align Ministries of Agriculture, Technology, Youth, and Finance to harmonize goals and execution.
Deploy Solar-Powered Digital Hubs in Rural Areas
Combine technology access with basic education, connectivity, and enterprise support.
Introduce Agro-Tech Education into NYSC and School Curricula
Mandatory Agri-digital courses for graduates will ignite early interest and innovation.
Conclusion: Farming the Future, With Tools of the Present
Innovation in agriculture is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Agro-Tech holds the key to rebranding agriculture from a retirement job to a youth-led revolution.
With the right mix of policy, private investment, and passion, Nigeria can transform agriculture from a poverty story to a prosperity success. Let’s code the change, drone the harvest, and plant the future—digitally.
“Let not the farms die with the old hands. Let the young hands hold the hoe—with a tablet in the other hand.”
~ Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Co-Founder & Lead Consultant, Global Human Capital & Energy Management Limited
Governance Analyst|
Development Economist|
Policy Consultant| Strategic Development Advocate| Climate Action Enthusiast | Sustainability & Impact Investing Specialist|Girl-child Advocacy| PPP & CRM Specialist /Sales Innovation & Transformational Results-Driven Business Analyst
