By Josephine Agbonkhese

An accomplished software engineer, Prince Nnamdi Richie Adigwe, is the Co-Founder of Uplifting Youths Through Agriculture, UYOTA.

UYOTA is an organisation dedicated to empowering young people through technology and sustainable agriculture.

A serial entrepreneur, Adigwe also serves as the Director of Chrislara Nig, Chrislara Farms, Chrislara Fashion Limited and UYOTA Global Investment Limited.

In this interview with Vanguard, he speaks on the Nigerian agricultural sector, gives insights into ways the sector can become more attractive to youths, and also speaks on the forthcoming Africa Youth Agri-Business Summit being organised by UYOTA.

What informed your interest in agriculture?

Having parents who were deeply involved in agriculture, my interest in the field developed naturally long before I became a software engineer. However, my focus now is on how technology can be leveraged to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria. I believe software engineering plays a crucial role in advancing smart farming techniques, improving supply chain efficiency, and making agriculture more accessible and profitable for young people.

In your opinion, what should be the role of young people in developing agriculture?

Nigeria’s youth make up over 60% of the population, yet many young people shy away from agriculture, often perceiving it as an outdated sector with limited opportunities. However, the adoption of modern farming techniques, precision agriculture, and agri-tech innovations can transform the industry. Young people, being more adaptable to technology, have a crucial role in modernising agriculture—whether through smart farming, digital marketplaces, or mechanisation. By embracing innovation and entrepreneurship, they can make agriculture a key driver of economic growth and food security in Nigeria.

What would you consider some of the biggest challenges facing the Nigerian agricultural sector, and what is the way forward?

The agricultural sector in Nigeria faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, climate change, inefficient farming practices, pest and disease outbreaks, as well as limited access to credit and financing. These issues hinder productivity and discourage young people from pursuing careers in agriculture.

To address these challenges, the government must take a proactive approach by investing in infrastructure such as irrigation systems, storage facilities, and road networks to improve access to markets. It must also promoting sustainable farming practices to combat climate change and increase resilience against environmental challenges. Also, it should consider providing accessible credit and financial support for farmers, particularly young agripreneurs, to encourage investment in modern farming techniques and agribusiness ventures. Strengthening research and innovation in agriculture to introduce more efficient and sustainable farming methods is also key.

What strategies will you recommend if agriculture must be made attractive to youths?

To attract young people to agriculture, the government must modernise the perception of farming by integrating technology and demonstrating how it can make agriculture more profitable and less labour-intensive. Some key strategies include technological integration which involves showcasing modern farming technologies, such as precision farming, automated irrigation, and drone-assisted agriculture. Another is promoting agribusiness. That is, encouraging youths to see farming as a business opportunity rather than just a traditional occupation. This can be achieved through incentives, startup funding, and agribusiness incubators. Investment in agricultural education and training such as implementing targeted agricultural programs, workshops, and mentorship initiatives, will, also, expose young people to innovative farming techniques and agribusiness strategies. There is also need for financial support and incentives, networking and collaboration, as well as marketing and branding.

You recently participated in an agricultural tour of Thailand. What lessons should Nigeria learn from the way agriculture is practised over there?

Thailand’s agricultural sector is a model of efficiency, innovation, and government support. One of the key lessons Nigeria can learn is the integration of technology and mechanisation in farming. Thailand has successfully modernised its agricultural practices by adopting precision farming, automated irrigation systems, and drone technology to improve productivity.

Another major takeaway is value addition and agro-processing. Thailand does not just focus on raw crop production; it invests heavily in processing and packaging, ensuring that agricultural products meet global market standards. Nigeria can benefit from this approach by developing local processing industries to reduce post-harvest losses and increase export potential.

Lastly, agriculture in Thailand is youth-inclusive and market-driven, with a strong emphasis on agribusiness. Encouraging Nigerian youth to see agriculture as a profitable and tech-driven industry—rather than just traditional farming—can help attract more young people into the sector and drive sustainable growth.

What’s the goal of your forthcoming Africa Youth Agri-Business Summit?

The forthcoming Africa Youth Agri-Business Summit can play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity in Africa through several key avenues. The summit will provide training, mentorship, and networking opportunities for young people interested in agribusiness.

By equipping them with modern farming techniques and business skills, it will encourage youth participation in agriculture.

It also aims to promote innovation and technology because discussions on precision farming, climate-smart agriculture, and digital platforms can help increase food production and reduce post-harvest losses. Also, it seeks to showcase agri-tech solutions such as mobile apps for market access, smart irrigation, and soil monitoring.

Through this summit, we also hope to connect young agripreneurs with investors, banks, and policymakers to facilitate access to funding. It will also encourage policy reforms as policymakers attending the summit can learn from successful agribusiness models and create supportive policies for young farmers. Among other things, the summit can encourage investment in food processing and storage facilities to minimise post-harvest losses.

In summary, the Africa Youth Agri-Business Summit is a platform for knowledge-sharing, investment, and policy advocacy that can significantly contribute to food security in Africa by empowering young farmers, promoting technology, and improving market access.

Tell us about your organisation, UYOTA?

UYOTA (Uplifting Youths Through Agriculture) is a non-governmental organisation focused on training youths in modern agricultural techniques, agribusiness, and the integration of technology in farming. Since its inception in 2016, the NGO has contributed to shaping a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs particularly in advocacy, agricultural training, entrepreneurship support, and youth empowerment.