By Comr. Chukwu Abia Chikaodiri|Grassrootsmirro.

In today’s fast-paced world where technological innovations dominate headlines, investments, and conversations, it is easy to believe that tech is the sole path to prosperity, development, and relevance in the global economy. Indeed, technology has become a transformative force—powering everything from education and healthcare to finance and governance. Yet, in our collective rush toward digital utopias, we risk neglecting a sector that has not only fed us since the dawn of time but continues to hold the key to economic liberation and sustainable development in Africa—.

Let's be clear: this is not a war against technology. On the contrary, technology is indispensable in solving complex problems. But here's the catch—technology is a , not the goal. It should serve humanity, not distract us from our foundational needs.

When we think of progress, we often imagine startups, coding bootcamps, artificial intelligence, fintech apps, and blockchain platforms. But what is the value of a world with fast internet, virtual reality, and intelligent algorithms when people are still hungry, when food prices are climbing, and when farming—the lifeblood of many African communities—is neglected?

Africa holds . That means while the world is looking for where to grow food, Africa is standing on it. Yet, Africa imports over . Why? Because we’ve sidelined agriculture in pursuit of what seems like 'smarter' careers and industries.

Agriculture isn’t just about hoes and cutlasses anymore. It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry that feeds the world, fuels industries, and sustains rural livelihoods. From agribusiness and food processing to export and agro-tech, the opportunities are vast.

The conversation shouldn’t be . The conversation should be .

We need to use . This is where agri-tech comes in:

These innovations don’t replace agriculture. They . They make farming smarter, more profitable, and more appealing to the younger generation.

In many African societies, especially Nigeria, agriculture is still seen as a “poor man’s job.” But that mindset must change. The richest nations in the world respect and heavily invest in agriculture. Look at Israel, the Netherlands, the United States—countries that have made modern agriculture a core of their economy.

We must begin to tell new stories: of young farmers using tech, of local food entrepreneurs building empires, of smart cooperatives using data to scale production. Agriculture is not the past; it is the .

To make agriculture more attractive and viable, governments and institutions must:

Incentivizing local production through favorable policies, while reducing import dependence, is not just patriotic—it’s economically wise.

We can’t eat code. We can’t boil an app. We can’t fry a fintech solution. But we can eat rice, beans, yam, maize, and plantain—products of the soil.

Technology can enhance our lives, but agriculture our lives.

Let us not be carried away. While we chase the next big tech idea, let us also invest, innovate, and engage in agriculture. Let us turn to the soil—not just as a fallback—but as a primary path to prosperity, dignity, and relevance.

The world may be digital, but it will always be hungry.