Agriculture remains an essential component of the African economy. The sector plays an important role in maintaining livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. It guarantees food security and creates wealth. 

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) will work together to promote the use of cutting-edge technologies in the national agricultural sector. Through a variety of tools, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics and robotics, the two partners are committed to improving the productivity and sustainability of Nigerian agriculture.

The signing of a partnership agreement to this effect was unveiled on Thursday, October 10. On its X page, NITDA stresses that this collaboration “is designed to stimulate innovation, leading to increased efficiency and higher yields, thus supporting national efforts to achieve food security.” 

According to data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, agriculture is a major pillar of the Nigerian economy. It accounts for 1/5 of gross domestic product (GDP). In the first quarter of 2024, the agricultural sector grew by 0.18% (year-on-year) in real terms, an increase of 1.08% points on the corresponding period of 2023. However, the sector contributed 21.07% to overall GDP in real terms in Q1 2024, lower than in Q1 2023 and Q4 2023, which stood at 21.66% and 26.11% respectively. The single crop production sector accounted for 19.24% of GDP. 

Taking advantage of technology in Nigerian agriculture is a source of economic diversification. The development of intelligent agriculture can reduce the country's dependence on hydrocarbons. What's more, a modern, innovative agricultural sector will help attract foreign investment, thereby strengthening the Nigerian economy.

Hikmatu Bilali