Innovation expert and public speaker, Oluwatobi Yeye-Irojah inspired participants to redefine agriculture beyond its limitations in his address during the maiden edition Extension Weekend of the Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Hikmah University, Igbaja campus.
The keynote speaker and Yeye Irojah admonished the thrilled young learners ranging from secondary to tertiary education about why the upcoming professionals must integrate into the digital and innovation spheres and develop business skills if they wanted to remain valuable.
The topic is ‘Agricultural Innovation in the Digital Age: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Drones and Social Media for Sustainable Food Production’. “Agriculture isn’t only about planting, harvesting, and marketing produce these days.
According to him, modern agriculture requires more than physical effort.
“The future of agriculture is not dirty hands alone; it is smart minds with visionary plans.”
He was able to make this concept readily understandable with specific examples and explain how AI can help farmers to predict the weather and identify plant disease before they occur.
As well as analyze crop price trends, and ensure more efficient production in their agricultural enterprise. He said that technology is already beginning to take the guess work out of farming for farmers.
One of the most engaging moments of the lecture came as he illustrated the growing importance of drone technology in modern agriculture.
Comparing conventional farming practices with precision agriculture, he remarked.
“The farmer who walks all day may know the farm; the farmer who flies a drone may own the market.”
The statement immediately resonated with students, highlighting the speed, precision, and competitive advantage that technology now offers within the agricultural value chain.
Instead of production, Yeye-Irojah diverted attention to what most of the young farmers neglect, which is visibility.
He opined that producing high-quality agricultural produce are not enough anymore in the current digital economy as farmers needs to tell their own story, their brands, and develop a community that allows them to connect directly with investors and clients describing social media as a modern agricultural marketplace, he stated,
“Visibility is the new fertilizer. You may grow the best tomatoes, but if nobody sees your harvest, nobody knows your worth.”
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His remarks encouraged students to embrace digital platforms not merely for entertainment but as powerful business tools capable of opening doors to partnerships, funding opportunities, and international markets.
Beyond these insights, Yeye-Irojah also threw more light on other areas of agriculture with so many diverse career prospects apart from farming ranging from flying drones to engage in precision farming, innovation in agritech to develop sustainable solutions, working in agricultural marketing, communications, research and development to even farming itself.
He challenged participants to move away from the outdated belief that agriculture is only for those working on the farm.
Instead, he described it as one of the world’s fastest-growing innovation ecosystems, where technology, business, and sustainability intersect to create meaningful impact.
Perhaps the defining message of the session came when he declared,
“Agriculture is no longer just about planting seeds; it is about planting ideas, solving problems, creating businesses, and feeding nations.”
The statement encapsulated the essence of his presentation and inspired students to view agriculture as a platform for wealth creation, innovation, and national transformation.
As the session drew to a close, Yeye-Irojah left the audience with a challenge that reflected the changing realities of the twenty-first century.
“The farmer of yesterday used strength. The farmer of today uses knowledge. The farmer of tomorrow will use technology, creativity, and courage.”
His presentation received enthusiastic applause from students and lecturers alike, with many describing the session as practical, timely, and deeply inspiring.
Integrating technology insights with innovative and motivating narratives of triumph, Oluwatobi Yeye-Irojah, in typical Oluwatobi fashion, was able to simplify this technical know-how and made it relatable to youths.
However, Oluwatobi reiterated a basic principle; if agriculture as we know it is to have a future, then the farmers of that future must be those willing to leverage technology and innovation to change the narrative of how the world produces and consumes food.
To the students of Al-Hikmah University, the lecture was not just a scholastic encounter; it was an invitation to become champions of a fresh agricultural wave-a wave that’s driven by ingenuity, innovative ideation, and boldness to think beyond the boundaries of the farm!
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