Mr Hugh Briggs, the European Union (EU) Programme Manager for Nigeria and West Africa, has called for the development and deployment of affordable, accessible technological solutions to support smallholder farmers and boost agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview on Monday in Abuja, Mr Briggs assessed the state of agricultural extension services and digital tools across the country. He highlighted the growing number of technology applications developed by solution-driven companies but noted that many of these remain out of reach for smallholder farmers and have yet to translate into tangible improvements in productivity.
“There are many companies entering Nigeria with various applications, and while they are solution-focused, a number of these tools are not affordable for local farmers,” he said. “When farmers cannot afford the applications, they are essentially rendered useless.”
He further pointed out the lack of agricultural extension officers available to guide farmers in understanding and adopting new technologies. “Even when information about these tools eventually reaches farmers, many rural communities still struggle with limited network coverage and high costs. Technology is not cheap, especially for those in remote areas where most of the real farming takes place,” he added.
Briggs stressed the importance of inclusive innovation solutions tailored to the realities of smallholder farmers, especially in underserved communities with limited infrastructure and financial resources.
Also Read: NBRDA to Champion Biopharmaceutical Technology in Nigeria
“Companies and agencies that are solution-driven must ensure that technology is made available to local farmers in the most affordable and practical way possible. This is key to empowering them to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security,” he said.
He also criticised the current ratio of agricultural extension workers to farmers, describing it as inadequate to meet the demands of the country’s large rural farming population.
Despite the challenges, Briggs commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for its efforts to revitalise the extension system. He acknowledged ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening human capacity and operational effectiveness within the sector.
“I’ve had several engagements with the Honourable Minister and have seen his short-, medium-, and long-term vision. If fully implemented, Nigeria’s agriculture sector will reach a new level of development,” he stated.
Briggs also reiterated the need for robust government investment across the agricultural value chain—from production and processing to research and development.
“The sector needs greater investment to tackle challenges across the entire value chain. Research, in particular, plays a critical role in generating the technologies and knowledge that eventually reach farmers. Without sustained investment, food security will remain out of reach,” he warned.
He reaffirmed the European Union’s continued support for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and called for stronger collaboration between domestic stakeholders and international partners to unlock the sector’s full potential.
