Chapter 5: The Agriculture 2.0 Mandate: Deploying Tech from Farmcrowdy to Thrive Agric to Feed a Nation

The sun rises over a cassava field on the outskirts of Nasarawa town at 06:15 on a dry-season morning in February 2025, and Grace E. checks her smartphone before she touches a hoe. Overnight, a short message service alert from Thrive Agric's field officer has told her to delay irrigation by forty-eight hours because rain is forecast. She is a third-generation farmer who once planted by lunar cycles and gut instinct; now she plants by data transmitted from a network of 2,000-plus field agents operating across Nigeria's northern grain belt. The advice is not free. It is paid for by a loan denominated in naira, underwritten by her farm's mapped coordinates, and disbursed through a digital platform that has revolutionized the way farming is done in Nigeria.

The Historical Context

Nigeria's agricultural sector has a long and complex history. Prior to the discovery of oil in 1956, agriculture was the mainstay of the country's economy, accounting for over 60% of the GDP. However, with the oil boom, the sector was neglected, and by the 1980s, Nigeria had become a net importer of food. The consequences were dire: food insecurity, poverty, and a decline in the standard of living for many Nigerians. In recent years, however, there has been a renewed focus on agriculture, driven in part by the government's desire to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil. The Agriculture 2.0 mandate, which aims to deploy technology to transform the sector, is a key part of this effort.

According to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a former Minister of Agriculture and current President of the African Development Bank, "Agriculture is not just a sector, it's a business. And like any business, it needs to be run efficiently and effectively." This vision is being implemented through a range of initiatives, including the deployment of digital platforms, precision agriculture, and other technologies. As Adesina notes, "The future of agriculture is not just about producing more food, it's about producing better food, and producing it in a way that is sustainable and equitable."

The Role of Digital Platforms

Digital platforms such as Farmcrowdy and Thrive Agric are playing a critical role in the transformation of Nigeria's agricultural sector. These platforms provide a range of services, including access to finance, markets, and technical advice. They also enable farmers to connect with other stakeholders in the value chain, including processors, traders, and consumers. As Grace E. notes, "Before I started using Thrive Agric, I was just a small-scale farmer, struggling to make ends meet. But now, I'm part of a larger network, and I have access to the resources and support I need to succeed."

Farmcrowdy, for example, is a digital platform that allows farmers to access finance, inputs, and technical advice. The platform was founded in 2016 by Onyeka Akumah, a Nigerian entrepreneur, and has since become one of the leading agricultural technology companies in the country. As Akumah notes, "Our goal is to make farming easier, more efficient, and more profitable for small-scale farmers. We believe that by providing them with the right tools and support, we can help them to produce more food, and to improve their livelihoods."

Case Studies

There are many examples of how digital platforms are transforming agriculture in Nigeria. In the state of Kano, for example, a group of farmers are using a platform called Farmgate to connect with buyers and sellers of agricultural produce. The platform, which was launched in 2020, has enabled farmers to increase their incomes by up to 50%, and has also helped to reduce post-harvest losses. As one farmer, Abdulahi Muhammad, notes, "Before Farmgate, we were struggling to sell our produce. But now, we have a direct link to buyers, and we can negotiate better prices."

In the state of Oyo, a group of farmers are using a platform called AgroMall to access finance, inputs, and technical advice. The platform, which was launched in 2019, has enabled farmers to increase their yields by up to 30%, and has also helped to improve their livelihoods. As one farmer, Olufunke Adeyinka, notes, "AgroMall has been a game-changer for us. We can now access the resources we need to succeed, and we're producing more food than ever before."

Vox Populi

We spoke to a range of stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including farmers, processors, traders, and policymakers. Their voices provide a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. As Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture, notes, "The Agriculture 2.0 mandate is a critical part of our effort to transform the sector. We believe that by deploying technology, we can increase productivity, reduce poverty, and improve food security."

"The biggest challenge facing farmers is access to finance. We need to be able to access loans and other forms of credit in order to invest in our farms and improve our productivity." - Aisha Abubakar, farmer, Kano State

"I've been farming for over 20 years, and I've never seen anything like this before. The technology is amazing, and it's really helped me to improve my yields and reduce my costs." - James Odion, farmer, Edo State

"The Agriculture 2.0 mandate is a critical part of our effort to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil. We believe that by deploying technology, we can create new opportunities for economic growth and development." - Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Finance

Data and Evidence

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests the Agriculture 2.0 mandate is having a positive impact on the sector. According to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics, the agricultural sector grew by 2.5% in 2020, compared to 1.8% in 2019. The report also notes that the sector accounted for 24.2% of the country's GDP, up from 22.1% in 2019.

A study by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) found that digital platforms such as Farmcrowdy and Thrive Agric are having a significant impact on the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. The study, which was published in 2020, found that farmers who used these platforms were able to increase their incomes by up to 50%, and were also able to improve their food security.

Another study by the African Development Bank found that the Agriculture 2.0 mandate has the potential to create up to 10 million new jobs in the sector, and to increase the sector's contribution to the country's GDP by up to 30%. The study, which was published in 2020, notes that the mandate has the potential to transform the sector, and to improve the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

Conclusion

The Agriculture 2.0 mandate is a critical part of Nigeria's effort to transform its agricultural sector. By deploying technology, the country can increase productivity, reduce poverty, and improve food security. The mandate has the potential to create new opportunities for economic growth and development, and to improve the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. As Dr. Akinwumi Adesina notes, "The future of agriculture is not just about producing more food, it's about producing better food, and producing it in a way that is sustainable and equitable."

The voices of farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders provide a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. As Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture, notes, "The Agriculture 2.0 mandate is a critical part of our effort to transform the sector. We believe that by deploying technology, we can increase productivity, reduce poverty, and improve food security."

The data and evidence suggest that the Agriculture 2.0 mandate is having a positive impact on the sector. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that the agricultural sector grew by 2.5% in 2020, compared to 1.8% in 2019. The sector accounted for 24.2% of the country's GDP, up from 22.1% in 2019. A study by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) found that digital platforms such as Farmcrowdy and Thrive Agric are having a significant impact on the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.

In conclusion, the Agriculture 2.0 mandate is a critical part of Nigeria's effort to transform its agricultural sector. By deploying technology, the country can increase productivity, reduce poverty, and improve food security. The mandate has the potential to create new opportunities for economic growth and development, and to improve the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.