Godwin Atser, Country Director of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), has stressed the urgent need for Nigeria and Africa to embrace agricultural digitization to strengthen food security and avoid the risk of re-colonization.
Speaking at the Annual Stakeholders’ Workshop in Abuja, themed “Transforming The Agricultural Landscape Through Digital Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services,” Atser voiced concerns over the growing threat of hunger and food insecurity in the region. He warned, “By 2025, based on available data, if no action is taken, food imports could reach approximately $110 billion. We must act swiftly.”
Atser identified weaknesses in Nigeria’s agricultural extension and advisory services as a major gap in the country’s food value chain. He emphasized the need to improve these services to ensure farmers benefit from available innovations.
He highlighted SAA’s commitment to leveraging technology to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector, stating, “At Sasakawa Africa Association, we recognize the potential of existing technologies to reshape food production in Nigeria. However, many innovations are not reaching farmers.”
Atser underscored the importance of digital tools in supporting farmers, citing solutions like Agroponto and Akilimo, which enhance market access and offer site-specific advisory services.
With a presence in Nigeria for over 30 years, SAA operates in 24 states, implementing key projects such as Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture (NSA), Market Oriented Agriculture (MOA), and capacity-building initiatives for project beneficiaries.
(Source: Business Day, Lagos)
