The Federal Government has announced plans to implement drone technology for year-round farming operations. The initiative aims to dramatically increase land clearing, harvesting, and pesticide application efficiency.
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Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, revealed these plans during a press briefing at the State House on Tuesday. The faster we clear land, harvest, chemical deployment, whether it’s pesticide, whether it’s herbicide, the better. We intend to use drone technology in doing that because what one drone can do, a hundred people cannot do in a day,” Kyari stated, highlighting the technology’s untapped potential.
The modernisation effort extends beyond just technological advancement. The ministry actively seeks partnerships with the private sector to engage youth in mechanised farming programmes.
Kyari stressed the importance of changing traditional farming mindsets, urging farmers to view agriculture as a business venture rather than merely subsistence farming. “Agriculture is no longer for the stomach only,” he stated. “It should be seen as a business, something that will earn a livelihood.”
“So, we are going to use drones to fast-track agricultural activities, harvest quickly, and then make the land available for the next cycle of cultivation,” said Kyari.
The Minister also indicated a strategic shift away from conventional input support programmes, suggesting that direct private-sector funding could better incentivise smallholder farmers to increase production. This new approach aims to create a more sustainable and profitable agricultural sector in Nigeria.
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