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The Global Youth AgriTech Network (GYANT) recently hosted its Global AgriTech Innovation Seminar 2025, which spotlighted the pivotal role of technology in reshaping agriculture and empowering the next generation.

Held on Tuesday, September 23, the event took place at the One Tech Hub in Aberdeen and was themed, “Cultivating the Future: Connecting AgriTech Innovation to Impact Capital.”

The seminar brought together key opinion leaders, innovators, and young entrepreneurs to explore how tech-driven solutions can transform the global food system while making agriculture more appealing to young people.

Delivering the keynote address was Dr. Pascal Ezenkwu, an AI Lecturer from Robert Gordon University, UK. A presentation by Jerry Cunningham, Managing Director of American West African Agro Ltd., addressed the perception of farming among young people.

His words: “For decades, agriculture has been seen as hard, unattractive, and unprofitable.

“But agritech is changing this narrative by making farming efficient, profitable, and data-driven.”

Barr. Richard-Mark Mbaram, DG/CEO of the Feed Nigeria Summit (FNS) Secretariat, appeared as a Special Guest and praised Nigeria’s renewed focus on agriculture, including recapitalizing the Bank of Agriculture, while urging young people to use their agritech and ICT skills to lead Africa’s food future.

The discussions were moderated by Dr. Debisi Araba, a Visiting Research Fellow at Imperial College London, and Kemi Odunsi-Ujiagbe, a Sustainability & Impact Strategist.

The panel session featured several experts, including Dr. Angel Adelaja-Kuye, Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security to the Governor of Ogun State; Bolaji Akinboro, Chairman and Co-founder of Toronet; Pete Preston, Founder and CTO of Settirz Ltd.; and Caroline Okafor, Program Manager and Agile Coach, and a host of others.

They collectively examined how to adapt technologies to local realities, emphasizing the need for patient capital, inclusive financing, and context-specific solutions.

Cunningham stressed that agritech is not only modernizing farming but also turning young people into “job creators, not job seekers.”

With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 and food demand expected to rise by 50%, he said technology must be central to bridging the gap.

Discussions highlighted a range of solutions, from precision farming with drones, GPS, and sensors to biotechnology for resilient crops and digital platforms that connect farmers directly to consumers.

However, speakers also noted that challenges such as affordability, digital literacy, and infrastructure gaps remain.

Cunningham urged for increased investment in agritech startups and training hubs, stressing that empowering youth is key to securing future food systems.

In her own remarks, Caroline noted: “The challenges of attracting youth to agriculture are not unique to Africa—they are global.

“But the solutions must be locally grounded and technology-driven.”

Projections at the seminar showed that Africa’s agricultural sector could grow to $16.2 billion by 2027 if supported by innovation and sustainability.

Panelists confirmed these forecasts are realistic, provided there is “a focus on true sustainability and not speculative ventures.”

Agriculture is undergoing a digital revolution. From precision irrigation to AI-powered soil mapping, the way food is grown, protected, and delivered is being reshaped by technology. Among the most promising innovations is drone technology—a tool that is not only helping farmers fight pests more effectively but also creating new opportunities for young innovators.

Each year, farmers lose between 20–40% of global crop yields to pests and diseases, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2023). This persistent challenge has long demanded smarter solutions. On September 9, 2025, researchers at the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi, provided a glimpse of what the future could look like. In a live demonstration, drones completed a crop spraying task in minutes—a job that would normally take hours of manual labour (Times of India, 2025).

That moment underscores the transformative potential of drones in creating farming systems that are more sustainable, more efficient, and more resilient.

Why Drones Matter in Farming

For decades, pest management has relied on manual spraying or tractor-mounted systems. While effective to an extent, these approaches have come with significant drawbacks:

Shortages of labour during peak seasons. High health risks from direct exposure to chemicals. Inability to cover vast fields quickly enough to save crops.

Drones are rewriting this story. With their ability to release a fine mist of uniform droplets, drones bring precision to spraying. Their speed means large farms can be treated in a fraction of the time. They cut costs by reducing the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers. Most importantly, drones keep farmers safer by keeping them away from toxic chemicals. In short, drones offer what traditional methods cannot: speed, safety, and sustainability at once.

A Global Wave of Adoption

The promise of drones is not confined to laboratories and demonstration plots—it is already shaping global agriculture. China and India are at the forefront, with drone service companies providing affordable solutions to smallholder farmers.

In Africa, too, momentum is growing. Start-ups in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana are embracing drone technology for both crop monitoring and precision spraying. A notable example is AcquahMeyer Drone Tech in Ghana, which has successfully deployed drones on cocoa farms. Their work shows how technology can boost yields while cutting pesticide waste—a win-win for farmers and the environment.

The Youth Opportunity

The rise of drones also signals a turning point for the next generation. For young people, drones represent more than just a farm tool—they are a gateway into entrepreneurship and innovation.

This is where the Global Youth Agritech Network (GYANT) is stepping in. By providing training, mentorship, and platforms for cross-country collaboration, GYANT is helping young people build businesses around drone services. Potential opportunities include:

Establishing drone service hubs for local farmers. Offering affordable, on-demand spraying solutions.

Attracting impact investors to fund youth-led agritech ventures. Through initiatives like these, drones are not just fighting pests—they are empowering a new generation of agripreneurs who can bridge technology and food security.

Looking Ahead

As agriculture embraces digital tools, drones stand out as a symbol of what is possible when innovation meets necessity. They promise healthier crops, safer farming practices, and a greener environment. But perhaps their greatest contribution lies in their ability to inspire and equip youth to lead agriculture into the future.

The next decade will be decisive. If youth-driven agritech solutions can scale effectively, drones will not only help protect harvests but also unlock the creativity and energy of young people determined to solve global food security challenges.