Nigeria has been projected to spend no less that $110 billion on food imports in 2025 if it fails to adopt and strengthen digital agricultural extension services.
This is according to the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA).
Country Director of the organisation, Godwin Atser, made this known at its Annual Stakeholder Workshop with the theme: “Transforming the Agricultural Landscape through Digital Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services.”
According to Atser, extension and advisory services are the key to agricultural transformation.
He noted that continuous spending on food imports is unsustainable.
“If we continue along this path, we are essentially exporting jobs, which will further impact our economy. Nigeria could spend $110 billion on food imports in 2025 if it fails to adopt and strengthen digital agricultural extension services.
“However, if we keep importing food while our productivity remains low, climate change—one of the key factors—will further worsen the situation,” he stated.
The country director called for immediate stakeholder intervention to address the gaps in Nigeria’s agricultural extension services, reiterating the need for a shift in approach.
Atser pointed out that Nigeria’s extension system remains weak Despite the availability of innovations capable of transforming agriculture.
“In some states, there is currently no extension service at all. We have consistently seen that economies making progress in agricultural transformation are those that prioritize technology transfer,” he noted.
Atser while noting that over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s population use mobile phones, with internet penetration rapidly increasing across Africa, emphasised the need to leverage these opportunities to provide farmers with timely and high-quality information, ultimately improving their livelihoods.
“Harnessing the power of digital solutions will be a key tool in driving agricultural transformation. In today’s fast-changing world, digital solutions are revolutionizing the delivery of extension and advisory services.
“They help bridge gaps, empower stakeholders, and ensure that critical knowledge reaches those who need it most—whether in agriculture, health, education, or business.
“Digital tools enable us to provide real-time, accessible, and data-driven support, ultimately enhancing decision-making and productivity,” he added.
Atser further noted the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in global agriculture, noting that AI-driven tools can predict various factors affecting the sector through computer-based analysis.
He emphasised the need for stakeholders to leverage digital tools to transform agriculture and stressed that collaboration is crucial in boosting productivity.
The country directors said addressing the productivity challenge in agriculture and making digital solutions effective depends on strong collaboration.
