By Juliet Umeh

Technology has been seen as a tool to wake up practically dead sectors. True to this description, hi-tech has also discovered that agricultural sector will soon get massively revived due to the amount of technological practices going on there at the moment. 

One prominent of such technologies is the soil-less technology system of farming also known as hydroponics.

Soil-less growing is based on the idea that plants can grow and thrive without the need for a traditional substrate. Instead of using soil, plant roots are immersed in a nutrient solution containing the nutrients essential for their growth.

One of the innovators championing soil-less technology system of farming in Nigeria is Mr. Ogbole Samson. Samson is the Team Lead for Eupepsia Place Limited (Soilless Farm lab).

Ogbole’s soil-less farming approach, which involves growing crops without soil, addresses issues of soil depletion and climate unpredictability, enabling year-round crop production. 

By using greenhouses and drip irrigation systems, Ogbole has shown that high yields can be achieved with minimal land and water, offering a scalable solution to Nigeria’s agricultural challenges.

Similarly, MD and Founder of Integrated Ariel Precision, Mr Femi Adekoya, has adopted precision agriculture technology, particularly drones, to significantly enhance productivity and profitability. 

Precision agriculture is a farming management strategy based on observing, measuring and responding to temporal and spatial variability to improve agricultural production sustainability.

Adekoya explained: “Drones provide farmers with real-time data on soil health, crop conditions, and environmental factors, enabling precise input application and efficient resource management. 

“This data-driven approach reduces waste, increases yields, and makes farming a more attractive and profitable venture.”

Also, Founder, Aquatic Hub Afrique Network, Steve Okeleji, has also harnessed technology to overcome challenges like high operational costs and environmental risks. From starting with wooden boxes to pioneering cage farming in Nigeria, Okeleji’s success demonstrates how technology and continuous improvement can drive success in agriculture. 

He emphasized that he supports many government policies but disagrees with the recent decision to lift the ban on certain food imports. 

He argued that importing food undermines local farmers, as it takes months for crops like rice, maize, and beans to grow. 

He said: “Instead of relying on imports, the government should focus on supporting local farmers to boost domestic food production. 

“They should encourage young people to join the farming sector to help feed the current and future generations and take advantage of opportunities in agriculture.

 “Nigeria has no business importing food. That was one of the policies I don’t support. We need to inspire young people to see agriculture as a viable and rewarding career path. With the right tools and support, we can create a new generation of tech-savvy farmers who will lead Nigeria into a food-secure future,” Okeleji stated.

Innovators like Samson Ogbole, Steve Okeleji, and Femi Adekoya are leading the way, demonstrating that with the right tools and mindset, Nigerian farmers can unlock the country’s vast agricultural potential.

Engaging youth through technology

The integration of technology in agriculture is not just about improving yields and profitability; it’s also about changing perceptions. In Nigeria, farming is often viewed as a low-status, labour-intensive profession, especially among the youth. However, as Ogbole, Okeleji, and Adekoya demonstrate, modern agriculture can be a dynamic, innovative, and highly rewarding field.

Technology is a key to making agriculture appealing to the younger generation. The use of drones, automated systems, and data analytics transforms farming from a traditional, manual task into a high-tech industry. This shift not only attracts young people but also equips them with the skills and opportunities to drive further innovation.

Moreover, engaging youth in agriculture is crucial for the country’s food security and economic future. With Nigeria’s population projected to exceed 300 million in the coming decades, the demand for food will continue to rise. Ensuring that a new generation of farmers is equipped with the latest technologies is essential for meeting this demand and reducing reliance on food imports.

Vanguard News