Nigeria faces a looming food crisis as projections indicate that the country could spend up to $110 billion on food imports in 2025 if it fails to adopt digital agricultural extension services. The Sasakawa Africa Association has sounded the alarm, stressing the need for urgent reforms to boost local food production and reduce dependency on imports.
Speaking at the Annual Stakeholder Workshop in Abuja, themed “Transforming the Agricultural Landscape through Digital Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services,” SAA’s Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser, cautioned that continuous reliance on food imports is not only unsustainable but also detrimental to the economy.
“If we continue to do that, it means we are exporting jobs, and that will further affect our economy,” Atser stated, emphasizing that low productivity coupled with climate change could worsen food security challenges.
He called for immediate intervention to bridge gaps in Nigeria’s agricultural extension system, noting that some states lack any extension services. He highlighted that economies making progress in agriculture prioritize technology transfer.
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With over 90 percent of Nigerians using mobile phones and internet access expanding, Atser urged stakeholders to leverage digital tools to deliver real-time, data-driven support to farmers. He pointed out that Artificial Intelligence, is already transforming global agriculture, helping to predict factors affecting the sector.
“Harnessing the power of digital solutions will be a very good instrument that will help us succeed in our agricultural transformation,” he said, adding that digital tools ensure critical knowledge reaches those who need it most.
Atser stressed that bridging the existing gaps in agricultural extension services requires collaboration among stakeholders, as well as a shift toward innovative, technology-driven solutions.
“The key to addressing the productivity challenge in agriculture and making digital solutions effective is collaboration,” he said, calling for a united effort to harness technology and transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
NAN
