Iledare urges FG to focus on Agripreneurship, AgriTech Investment

An AgriTech Innovator and Founder of AgricfocusNG, Mr Akinyemi Iledare, has urged the Nigerian Government to focus on scaling agripreneurship and attracting substantial investment in agricultural technology. This, he said, is to harness the potential in the agricultural sector and transform Nigeria into an agricultural powerhouse. Iledera, in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said, […]

An AgriTech Innovator and Founder of AgricfocusNG, Mr Akinyemi Iledare, has urged the Nigerian Government to focus on scaling agripreneurship and attracting substantial investment in agricultural technology.

This, he said, is to harness the potential in the agricultural sector and transform Nigeria into an agricultural powerhouse.

Iledera, in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said, Nigeria, often called the Giant of Africa, stands on the cusp of an agricultural revolution.

He stated that Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which contributes about 25 percent to the nation’s GDP is ripe for technological disruption.

“As an agritech innovator deeply embedded in the nation’s farming landscape, I have witnessed the immense potential our country holds.

The challenge before us is significant, but so are the opportunities.

“From precision farming to blockchain-enabled supply chains, the possibilities are endless. But how do we turn these possibilities into realities?

“First and foremost, we need to foster an ecosystem that nurtures agripreneurs.

“This means establishing agritech incubators and accelerators across our major agricultural zones.

“Imagine a yam farmer in Benue State having access to cutting-edge technology and mentorship to scale his business. Or a tomato processor in Kano leveraging AI to optimize her supply chain.

” These scenarios can become a commonplace if we create the right environment,”he said.

According to him, education and skill development are also critical, and as such, agritech courses should be introduced to our vocational schools and universities.

Iledare stated that our educational curriculum, from primary to tertiary levels, needs to be updated to include agritech.

He clamoured that the country should aim to have agritech courses in all agricultural universities by 2026, adding that universities must also play a pivotal role in the ecosystem.

Iledare explained that by introducing agripreneurship programmes in our higher institutions, we can equip the next generation with the skills needed to innovate in agriculture.

He noted that the Lagos State University’s recent introduction of an AgriTech degree is a step in the right direction, but we need more institutions to follow suit.

“In fact, one of the initiatives I have spearheaded is the introduction of agritech e-books for children in Nigeria.

“This project aims to familiarize young minds with agricultural technology from an early age, sparking their interest and preparing them for the future of farming.

“By integrating these e-books into primary and secondary school curricula, we are planting the seeds of innovation in the next generation of Nigerian farmers and agripreneurs.

“This early exposure to agritech concepts will help create a pipeline of young talent ready to revolutionize our agricultural sector,” he said.

According to him, regular agritech hackathons and innovation challenges can spark creativity and problem-solving.

Moreover, facilitating knowledge transfer through international agritech partnerships can expose our local innovators to global best practices.

The AgriTech innovator however said, ideas without capital are like seeds without water, and won’t grow.

Iledare noted that improving access to finance for agripreneurs is crucial, hence, we need specialized agricultural financing products with favorable terms.

He added that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme has shown promise, but we must go further.

Iledare called for the establishment of an agritech-focused venture capital fund backed by both public and private sectors.

The AgricFocus boss however noted that finance alone isn’t enough, as the country need to enhance its digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

He said: “The farmer in Taraba State should have the same access to digital tools as the tech entrepreneur in Lagos.

“This means investing in rural broadband connectivity and promoting mobile-based solutions for smallholder farmers.

According to him, regulatory hurdles often stifle innovation, as such, the nation needed to streamline its regulations to incentivize investment in agritech.

He added that a regulatory sandbox for testing innovative agricultural technologies could be a game-changer, allowing startups to pilot new ideas without fear of regulatory backlash.

Iledare further said that market access remains a significant challenge for many Nigerian farmers.

He mentioned that digital platforms connecting farmers directly to consumers and processors can revolutionize our agricultural value chains.

The AgriTech innovator also said that supporting the establishment of agri-export zones with modern storage and logistics facilities can open up new markets for our produce.

He advised that the nation leverage the power of data and analytics, noting that a national agricultural data repository could provide invaluable insights for policymakers and entrepreneurs alike.

Iledare emphasised that promoting the use of big data and AI in agricultural decision-making can help us make more informed choices about what to plant, when to harvest, and how to market our produce.

He said: “the path ahead is challenging, but the rewards are immense. By implementing these strategies, we can create a thriving ecosystem for agripreneurs and attract significant investment in agritech.

“This will not only boost our agricultural productivity but also create jobs, improve food security, and position Nigeria as a leader in agricultural innovation on the African continent.

“The seeds of innovation are in our hands. It is time to plant them, nurture them, and watch as they grow into a bountiful harvest of agricultural prosperity for Nigeria.”