LCCI urges tech adoption to drive agricultural growth
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged stakeholders across Nigeria’s agricultural sector to embrace technology and modern business practices to transform farming into a profitable, attractive, and sustainable enterprise.
Speaking at the LCCI Agric Symposium 2025 in Lagos, the Chairman of LCCI Agricultural and Allied Group, Tunde Banjoko, stressed that Nigerian agriculture must be repositioned in line with global best practices, noting that “agriculture should be sexy” — a profession young people aspire to, rather than avoid.
Banjoko emphasised that persistent challenges—such as poor access to finance, weak mechanisation, and inadequate seedlings—remain bottlenecks for farmers. However, he highlighted that technology adoption, including the use of drones and tractors, alongside showcasing successful youth-led agribusinesses, could help attract a new generation into farming.
Also addressing participants, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Emmanuel Audu (representing Commissioner Abisola Olusanya), outlined the state’s Food Systems Transformation Agenda, which is transitioning traditional food markets into modern agro-produce hubs. He noted that the Lagos Food Security Systems and Register Hub at Ketu aims to reduce post-harvest losses by 25% within three years, down from the current 50% losses that often drive food price inflation.
Audu further revealed that the government has launched the ₦500 billion “Produce for Lagos Programme”, which assures farmers of guaranteed markets and immediate payment for produce, thereby improving farmers’ access to finance and encouraging production.
In her remarks, LCCI Vice President, Abimbola Olashore, called for a shift in perception from viewing agriculture as a poverty-driven activity to recognising it as a multi-billion-naira business. She noted that agribusiness is Nigeria’s largest GDP contributor and employer of labour, yet many still ignore its wealth potential. “People are quietly becoming billionaires from cocoa and palm oil,” she said, urging stakeholders to scale production, embrace value addition, and adopt modern technology to increase competitiveness.
The annual symposium, hosted by LCCI, focused on repositioning agriculture as a modern, profitable sector by reducing post-harvest losses, strengthening value chains, and boosting logistics and export competitiveness.
Source: Punch
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
This symposium highlights a critical turning point in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda, as both private and public sector leaders emphasise the need to modernise practices, unlock financing, and reposition farming as a viable business. For agri-food stakeholders, the following takeaways stand out:
- Technology as a Youth Magnet and Productivity Driver
By positioning agriculture as innovative and “sexy,” stakeholders can attract the next generation of farmers. Demonstrations of drones, precision agriculture, and smart tractors are not just about efficiency but about reshaping farming into a profession aligned with youth aspirations and global standards. - Tackling Post-Harvest Losses to Stabilise Prices
Lagos’ commitment to reducing post-harvest losses by 25% within three years directly addresses one of Nigeria’s biggest agricultural inefficiencies. With nearly half of produce lost annually, innovations in logistics, cold chain, and market hubs could help stabilise food prices and enhance supply chain resilience. - Guaranteed Market Schemes as a Financing Catalyst
The ₦500bn “Produce for Lagos” initiative offers a strategic model where government-backed off-take guarantees give banks confidence to finance farmers. This linkage between production, assured markets, and credit access is a replicable blueprint for other states. - Changing the Narrative Around Agriculture
The call to shift perceptions—from subsistence farming associated with poverty to agribusiness as wealth creation—is essential. Success stories from cocoa, palm oil, and export-driven commodities need to be amplified to inspire investment and participation at scale. - Logistics and Export Competitiveness as the Next Frontier
With agriculture already Nigeria’s largest GDP contributor, the focus must shift from raw production to logistics efficiency and value-added exports. This will drive Nigeria’s global competitiveness, create jobs, and strengthen foreign exchange earnings.
Conclusion
The LCCI Agric Symposium 2025 signals a new phase where technology, financing, and perception shifts are becoming central to Nigeria’s agricultural strategy. If implemented effectively, these reforms could reposition farming as not only profitable and modern but also as a career of choice for young Nigerians, securing the future of the country’s food systems and agribusiness sector.
