TECH, NOT ONLY THE WAY. AGRIC IS MORE NEEDED

By Comr. Chukwu Abia Chikaodiri|Grassrootsmirro.

In today’s fast-paced world where technological innovations dominate headlines, investments, and conversations, it is easy to believe that tech is the sole path to prosperity, development, and relevance in the global economy. Indeed, technology has become a transformative force—powering everything from education and healthcare to finance and governance. Yet, in our collective rush toward digital utopias, we risk neglecting a sector that has not only fed us since the dawn of time but continues to hold the key to economic liberation and sustainable development in Africa—agriculture.

Technology Is an Enabler, Not a Replacement

Let's be clear: this is not a war against technology. On the contrary, technology is indispensable in solving complex problems. But here's the catch—technology is a tool, not the goal. It should serve humanity, not distract us from our foundational needs.

When we think of progress, we often imagine startups, coding bootcamps, artificial intelligence, fintech apps, and blockchain platforms. But what is the value of a world with fast internet, virtual reality, and intelligent algorithms when people are still hungry, when food prices are climbing, and when farming—the lifeblood of many African communities—is neglected?

Agriculture: The Real Engine of African Development

Africa holds 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land. That means while the world is looking for where to grow food, Africa is standing on it. Yet, Africa imports over $50 billion worth of food annually. Why? Because we’ve sidelined agriculture in pursuit of what seems like 'smarter' careers and industries.

Agriculture isn’t just about hoes and cutlasses anymore. It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry that feeds the world, fuels industries, and sustains rural livelihoods. From agribusiness and food processing to export and agro-tech, the opportunities are vast.

Why Agric is More Needed Now Than Ever:

1. Food Security: Rising global population and climate change threaten food supply chains. Countries that can feed themselves will control their future. Agriculture is national security.

2. Employment: While tech can create high-skill jobs, agriculture offers mass employment potential, especially for Africa’s youth. From cultivation to processing, logistics to marketing—agriculture employs millions and can employ more.

3. Rural Development: Agriculture is the foundation of rural economies. Boosting agriculture means developing rural infrastructure, education, and social services—thereby reducing urban migration and slum growth.

4. Export and Forex Earnings: Nigeria and many African countries can earn significantly more foreign exchange by exporting processed agricultural products rather than importing refined goods or relying solely on oil and tech services.

5. Cultural Preservation: Agriculture ties us to our roots. In preserving our food, farming methods, and native crops, we protect the heritage and wisdom of our ancestors.

The Balanced Future: Agri-Tech is the Way Forward

The conversation shouldn’t be Tech VS Agric. The conversation should be Tech + Agric.

We need to use technology to enhance agriculture. This is where agri-tech comes in:

• Drones for aerial crop surveillance.
• IoT sensors for smart irrigation.
• Mobile platforms for farm input financing.
• AI-powered crop disease detection.
• Blockchain for farm-to-fork supply chain traceability.

These innovations don’t replace agriculture. They revolutionize it. They make farming smarter, more profitable, and more appealing to the younger generation.

Changing the Narrative Among Youths

In many African societies, especially Nigeria, agriculture is still seen as a “poor man’s job.” But that mindset must change. The richest nations in the world respect and heavily invest in agriculture. Look at Israel, the Netherlands, the United States—countries that have made modern agriculture a core of their economy.

We must begin to tell new stories: of young farmers using tech, of local food entrepreneurs building empires, of smart cooperatives using data to scale production. Agriculture is not the past; it is the sustainable future.

Policy and Investment: Where Governments Must Step In

To make agriculture more attractive and viable, governments and institutions must:

• Provide grants and access to credit for young farmers.
• Invest in rural roads, storage, and irrigation infrastructure.
• Create agricultural innovation hubs and agri-tech accelerators.
• Facilitate off-take markets and reduce middlemen exploitation.

Incentivizing local production through favorable policies, while reducing import dependence, is not just patriotic—it’s economically wise.

Reconnecting With the Soil

We can’t eat code. We can’t boil an app. We can’t fry a fintech solution. But we can eat rice, beans, yam, maize, and plantain—products of the soil.

Technology can enhance our lives, but agriculture sustains our lives.

Let us not be carried away. While we chase the next big tech idea, let us also invest, innovate, and engage in agriculture. Let us turn to the soil—not just as a fallback—but as a primary path to prosperity, dignity, and relevance.

The world may be digital, but it will always be hungry.

Tech is good, but agric is life.