‘Tech Vital to Profitable Farming, Food Security’ – Mohammed-Bello Oben Umar

‘Tech Vital to Profitable Farming, Food Security’ – Mohammed-Bello Oben Umar

ABUJA, Nigeria — The adoption of technology across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain is critical to improving farm productivity, increasing profitability, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening the country’s food security, Mohammed-Bello Oben Umar, Co-founder of Commodity.ng and Founder Pico-Bello, has said.

Mohammed made the remarks during a podcast focused on the future of agriculture and technology, where he emphasised that digital innovation has become an indispensable tool for modern farming, rather than an optional luxury.

According to him, the challenges confronting Nigeria’s agricultural sector—including low productivity, climate change, poor market access, post-harvest losses and inefficient farming practices—can only be addressed sustainably through greater investment in technology and digital solutions.

“Technology is no longer a luxury in agriculture. It has become a necessity. The future of profitable farming and sustainable food security depends on how quickly we embrace innovation across the entire agricultural value chain.”

He noted that while Nigeria possesses vast arable land, favourable climatic conditions and millions of hardworking farmers, the country continues to experience food shortages largely because agricultural production remains heavily dependent on traditional methods.

Modern Agriculture Requires Innovation

Mohammed explained that successful agricultural economies are increasingly driven by data, precision farming and digital technologies that help farmers maximise yields while reducing production costs.

He said technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, satellite imagery, remote sensing, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, digital weather forecasting and smart irrigation systems are transforming agriculture globally by enabling farmers to make informed decisions throughout the production cycle.

“Technology allows farmers to know when to plant, when to irrigate, how much fertiliser to apply, where pests are likely to emerge and when market demand is strongest. That information translates directly into higher productivity and better profits.”

Digital Platforms Are Changing Agriculture

The co-founder highlighted the growing importance of digital agricultural platforms that connect farmers directly with buyers, financial institutions, extension officers and input suppliers.

According to him, digital marketplaces improve transparency, eliminate unnecessary middlemen and enable farmers to negotiate fair prices for their produce.

He added that technology also simplifies access to agricultural financing by allowing lenders to evaluate production data and farm performance before approving loans.

Precision Farming Can Boost Yields

Mohammed stressed that precision agriculture offers enormous opportunities for Nigerian farmers by reducing waste and improving resource efficiency.

Rather than applying fertilisers, pesticides and water uniformly across entire farms, precision farming allows farmers to target specific areas based on crop needs, thereby lowering production costs while increasing yields.

He noted that this approach has become increasingly important as farmers contend with rising input prices and changing weather patterns.

Technology Can Reduce Post-Harvest Losses

According to Mohammed, Nigeria loses billions of naira annually due to poor storage, transportation and processing infrastructure.

He said technology-driven cold storage systems, solar-powered preservation facilities, digital logistics platforms and supply chain tracking systems can significantly reduce food losses and improve farmers’ incomes.

“Increasing production alone is not enough. We must also preserve what we produce. Technology helps us reduce waste, improve quality and increase the value of agricultural products.”

Youths Must Drive Agricultural Innovation

Mohammed urged young Nigerians to see agriculture as a technology-driven industry filled with opportunities beyond traditional farming.

He identified software development, agricultural robotics, drone services, precision farming, digital advisory services, agribusiness analytics, climate technology and agricultural finance as emerging fields capable of creating thousands of jobs.

“Agriculture today is no longer just about hoes and cutlasses. It is about software, artificial intelligence, engineering, biotechnology, digital finance and innovation. Young people have an important role to play in shaping the future of food production.”

Climate Change Demands Smarter Solutions

He observed that climate change is making farming more unpredictable, making technology even more essential for managing agricultural risks.

Early warning systems, satellite-based weather forecasting and climate-smart advisory platforms, he said, can help farmers prepare for floods, droughts and pest outbreaks before they occur.

Mohammed argued that improving farmers’ access to climate information would reduce production losses and strengthen national food security.

Building a Digital Agricultural Ecosystem

The technology entrepreneur called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, technology companies, universities, research institutions, financial organisations and development partners to accelerate agricultural digitalisation.

He said investments should prioritise rural internet connectivity, digital literacy, agricultural innovation hubs, mechanisation services and technology-driven extension programmes.

According to him, building a connected agricultural ecosystem would improve productivity while making Nigeria more competitive in regional and international agricultural markets.

Commodity.ng’s Vision

Mohammed said Commodity.ng is committed to developing innovative digital solutions that improve market access, transparency and decision-making across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

He explained that leveraging technology to provide farmers with real-time market information, digital tools and business intelligence would empower them to increase productivity and profitability.

“Technology has the power to transform agriculture from a subsistence activity into a globally competitive business. If we equip our farmers with the right digital tools, reliable information and modern innovations, Nigeria can not only achieve food security but also become a leading agricultural powerhouse in Africa.”

He concluded by urging policymakers to prioritise investments in agricultural technology, saying that the future of food production will belong to nations that successfully integrate innovation, data and digital infrastructure into their farming systems.