By: Thomas Abidoye

The future of agriculture in Africa raises many important questions that we can no longer ignore. As the population continues to grow and food demand increases, we must begin to reflect on some critical issues affecting the sector.

Do we need everyone to become a farmer?

No, not everyone has to become a farmer. But we do need more people, especially young people, to take agriculture seriously. We need people in all parts of the agricultural value chain: from farming, processing, marketing, and transportation, to research and communication. Agriculture goes beyond planting crops; it includes many opportunities that can create jobs and grow the economy.

Do we have enough farmers?

The truth is, we don’t. Many African farmers are aging, and younger generations are not replacing them fast enough. This is dangerous for food security. If the current trend continues, we may have more mouths to feed and fewer hands to produce the food. Encouraging youth participation is not an option—it is a necessity.

Can technology replace farmers completely?

Technology is changing the face of agriculture. We now have drones, smart irrigation systems, and digital tools to improve farming. But even with all this, human input is still very important. Machines can help, but they cannot fully replace the creativity, knowledge, and passion that farmers bring to the land. We need a balance, technology and human effort must go hand in hand.

Is the media doing enough for the agricultural sector?

Sadly, no. Agriculture is underreported in many African media houses. Most coverage is focused on politics, entertainment, and crime. But agriculture is the backbone of many African economies. The media must do better, more coverage, more education, more storytelling about the challenges and successes in agriculture.

Are young people interested in agricultural communication or journalism?

This is another area that needs attention. Agricultural communication is not just for farmers; it is for everyone who eats. We need more journalists, bloggers, content creators, and influencers who are passionate about agriculture. If we want to attract more youth into the sector, we must also modernize the way we talk about it. Agriculture is not boring, it is life.

Who will tell the stories of local farmers in underserved communities?

Many local farmers in rural areas are doing amazing work, but their voices are not heard. These are people who feed us, yet they are often neglected by the media. Their challenges, innovations, and impact deserve to be documented and shared. We need agricultural storytellers, people who will go into these communities and tell their stories to the world.

Africa’s agricultural future depends on the answers we give to these questions today. If we want to feed ourselves, reduce poverty, and create jobs, then we must act now. We need more farmers, better policies, modern tools, and louder voices in the media. Let’s all play our part to make agriculture attractive, respected, and profitable.

To this end, I want to commend the National Agricultural Development Fund Nadfng , FarmEASY Nigeria and others who are supporting agriculture in Nigeria and parts of Africa through various initiatives. The liberation has started, we just need to do more as a nation and as a continent.

Thomas Abidoye
Journalist, Author, Communication Specialist