In a region where agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods, a Nigerian agri-tech firm is proving that digital innovation and traditional farming can coexist.
MyAgroPadi, a technology-driven agricultural platform, has trained and equipped more than 250 farmers in Delta State with modern skills, resources, and digital tools to strengthen food production and market access.
The training, organized in partnership with the Sarah Avwomakpa Foundation, combined offline workshops with digital coaching—ensuring that farmers without internet access were not excluded. The program focused on agribusiness techniques, mentorship, improved seedlings, post-harvest handling, and direct access to off-takers to eliminate middlemen.
By adopting this hybrid model, MyAgroPadi positioned itself not just as a technology startup, but as a bridge between rural communities and emerging digital economies.
A Vision for Inclusive Agriculture
Speaking on the initiative, MyAgroPadi founder O’Tega Teminor emphasized that technology must be at the center of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. However, he noted that farmers need more than apps—they require connectivity, access to resources, and ongoing support systems that help them navigate both farming and markets.
“The future of food security depends on how we use technology to empower the most vulnerable farmers, not leave them behind,” he said.
Agricultural experts facilitated specialized sessions on soil management, crop optimization, and post-harvest practices. Farmers also learned how to use digital platforms to connect directly with buyers—cutting off exploitative chains that often limit profits.
For many, the training was a first step towards transforming subsistence farming into a commercially viable business. Improved seedlings and practical mentoring complemented the digital coaching, ensuring that impact was immediate and sustainable.
Why it Matters
The initiative reflects a wider trend across Africa: the use of hybrid agri-tech solutions that balance online platforms with on-ground training. In regions with poor internet penetration, such models are crucial to ensure technology does not create new inequalities.
MyAgroPadi’s model shows how innovation in agriculture can be inclusive, scalable, and deeply relevant to rural economies. Beyond empowering individual farmers, it strengthens local food systems, creates new supply chains, and builds resilience in communities vulnerable to economic shocks.
Stakeholders—from policymakers to private investors—are watching closely. If scaled up, initiatives like this could play a critical role in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges while creating new opportunities in Africa’s digital economy.
As agriculture continues to evolve, MyAgroPadi’s blend of field training and digital tools points to a future where farming is not only about crops and soil, but also about connectivity, innovation, and shared prosperity.
Talking Points
Middlemen are killing Africa’s farmers. For decades, they’ve siphoned off profits, leaving smallholder farmers trapped in subsistence living. By connecting farmers directly to off-takers, MyAgroPadi is not just teaching farming—it’s waging war on a broken system.
But let’s not kid ourselves: middlemen will fight back. Unless governments back these farmers with policies and infrastructure, the system will simply adapt and re-exploit.
This is where things get uncomfortable: Africa doesn’t need “copycat” agri-tech platforms built to impress investors abroad. We need hybrid solutions—offline training, local mentorship, and low-bandwidth digital tools that actually work in villages with poor connectivity.
MyAgroPadi nailed that balance. If more startups don’t follow this route, we risk widening the gap between “digital farmers” in cities and struggling rural farmers left behind.
One controversial truth: farmers themselves are the biggest source of innovation. They’ve been adapting to climate change, market shocks, and poor infrastructure long before apps existed.
The danger of agri-tech hype is treating farmers like passive “beneficiaries” instead of co-creators. Platforms like MyAgroPadi should not just train farmers—they should listen, adapt, and co-build solutions with them.
