Technology crucial for enhancing food security – Firm

Arzikin Norma, an agricultural firm has warned that food can be weaponised, and Africa must wake up and leverage on technology to boost food security. The Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma, Michael Adeshola, said technology is vital in achieving food security and economic independence across the continent. Speaking during a panel session at the […]

Arzikin Norma, an agricultural firm has warned that food can be weaponised, and Africa must wake up and leverage on technology to boost food security.

The Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma, Michael Adeshola, said technology is vital in achieving food security and economic independence across the continent.

Speaking during a panel session at the Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2025, co-sponsored by Arzikin Noma and Sterling Bank, he shared insights on how digitalisation has helped the company and other players in the agricultural value chain to grow.

According to him, technology has become a game changer for agribusinesses, particularly in streamlining financing, boosting productivity, and improving farmers’ resilience.

“We cannot overemphasise the importance of technology in crystallising agricultural development in Africa,” he said. “If the brave do not lead, the weak will follow. What brought us here will not take us to where we need to be. Food is the future and it can be weaponised.”

Adeshola recounted how Arzikin Noma’s early adoption of digital tools helped the company and its network of smallholder farmers navigate one of the toughest economic disruptions during Nigeria’s 2023 Naira redesign policy.

“For us, carrying cash into rural communities was risky and unsustainable,” he explained. “We had started conversations with our Primary Financial Institution (PFI) and MasterCard before the redesign, and through that partnership, we issued over 1,000 ATM cards to our farmers. So, when the cash crisis hit, we were able to pay them seamlessly.”

The result, he said, was unprecedented. “That singular year, we recorded over 101% repayment from our farmers which was something that had never happened before,” he noted, adding that the digital system not only ensured prompt payments but also encouraged savings.

“We discovered that farmers can actually save money,” he said. “Over 90% of them retained their earnings in their accounts, and by the following season, they were financially stronger and better prepared.”

Adeshola also highlighted the company’s use of climate-smart agriculture and digital advisory tools to help farmers make informed decisions. “With global warming, we must rely on climatic information to provide timely agronomic advice,” he said. “If we know it will rain tomorrow, we can tell farmers to apply fertiliser today. That’s how technology is improving efficiency and yields.”

While noting the challenges of infrastructure and digital literacy that still hinder large-scale adoption, Adeshola insisted that Africa must act fast.

“The future is technology,” he concluded. “The earlier we adopt and cascade it down to our rural farming communities, the better our chances of achieving true food sovereignty.”

The highlight of the summit was a review of products with the Arzikin Noma stand hosting the representative of the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni and Mr BannaSil of Karma Mills.