Abuja, Nigeria – September 26, 2025
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA, launched the iHatch Incubation Program and Agrovesto, one of the 2nd cohort of the program is bridging the gap between farmers and digital economy in Nigeria through its digital platform.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Amina Sambo Magaji, who represented NITDA’s Director General, Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdulahi (CCIE) described the program as a groundbreaking opportunity for agritech innovators.
According to her, the initiative provides entrepreneurs with capacity building, mentorship, access to funding, and critical digital skills to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
Also highlighting NITDA’s role, Mr. Sotonye Calio of ONDI explained that the program will support farmers in transitioning from analogue to digital systems.
“We make sure that farmers are connected to the Agricultural ecosystem — from production to the last consumer. With Agrovesto’s digital platform, farmers can now access markets easily, improve productivity, and connect with the necessary stakeholders such as financial institutions, input providers , offtakers and development partners within the ecosystem,” he said.
The initiative also featured the closing ceremony of Agrovesto’s digitization project, Led by Mr. Bayo Adewoye, which has been piloted in Chikakore community in Bwari Area Council, FCT, and Yara community in Keffi LGA, Nasarawa State. The project targeted rural and semi-urban smallholder farmers, helping them improve record-keeping, reduce post-harvest losses, and access markets through digital platforms.
“Our goal is to make food more available and affordable for everyone in Nigeria by empowering farmers with digital technology,” Adewoye said, while noting plans to expand the program to more communities.
Farmers have already started reaping benefits. According to Muhammad Badamosi, a farmer from Keffi, “The platform has made it easy for us to reach buyers without carrying goods to the market every day. It reduces stress, minimizes losses, and increases our profits.”
Agricultural development officers also praised the initiative. Racheal Alabi of the Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme explained that local farmers have been trained in digital marketing, enabling them to showcase their produce online, select the right fertilizers, and improve overall productivity.
The iHatch initiative and Agrovesto partnership mark a significant step in leveraging technology to modernize Nigeria’s agricultural sector, ensuring farmers are better connected, more productive, and financially empowered