Experts Make Case for ICT to Improve Food Production

Hand in hand, technology and agriculture will help a great deal and definitely contribute to positive changes that farmers can prove with the growth of their output, according to ICT experts.

According to them, balancing the inputs and outputs on a farm is fundamental to its success and profitability and that agricultural software can help farmers increase production, reduce costs, and manage their land more efficiently.

Yele Okeremi, managing director and chief executive officer, Precise Financial Systems Ltd, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that there are different forms of interventions software can accord the industry.

“Why can’t we have oranges or pawpaw production all-year-round? It is true they are seasonal, but there are ways we can do it leverage on technology. In essence, we have to apply technology, first, in production; helping farmers get the best output, then the logistics and finally to the consumers,” Okeremi added.    

“For instance, with software you can determine the soil fertility and which is best for a particular produce, what kind and quantity do you need; at what time is best for you to weed. And if there will be changes in climate, awareness comes in. you will realize that the only way to get these things to become enablers is through technology”. Okeremi added.

Nodding in agreement, Kola Oyeneyin, founder and chief executive officer, Venia Business Hub, said that agricultural related software will spur large harvest and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported food.

Also speaking, Tunji Eleso, director Incubation at CCHub, said that “I would say that Nigeria is in to cruise in sectors like agriculture. We have seen a good number of young apps developers working on amazing applications to aide local farmers. This is what investors want to hear too, because no sector will attract needed investors when technology is still at its low ebb”.