I argued with a colleague a while back at the University. He was organising an event for Animal Science students. In one of his broadcasts, he said the program aimed to fight food insecurity. Then I asked him what it takes to fight hunger, which led to the argument.
I am a big critic of one-time interventions as efforts to “fight hunger.” I think it takes a lot more than summits, conferences, or X spaces. There has to be a system with a feedback loop. But before you delve deep into this article, here’s a question for you: What does it mean to change how we go about our agriculture? Take a minute to reflect on that.
Now…
With the world’s population skyrocketing and resources straining, accelerating food production is necessary. Hence, technology is no longer a choice but an essential catalyst. It helps us push the limits of what agriculture can achieve.
Technology is steadily replacing traditional farming practices. Whether these shifts are driven by the desire for impact, profit, or both, one thing is clear: technology has made it easier than ever to disrupt agriculture on a global scale.
As a result, we’re seeing a surge of startups, innovators, and investors diving in, each aiming to boost food security, enhance sustainability, and address environmental challenges.
Download the Ebook now
But beyond the ambition to make a difference or turn a profit, what does it take to disrupt agriculture in a scalable, sustainable, and impactful way?
What Does “Disruption” Really Mean in Agriculture?
The word “disruption” conjures images of groundbreaking technologies and rapid change. We hear it in discussions about tech giants and startups, usually linked to industries like finance, healthcare, or transportation. But when it comes to agriculture, disruption might look a little different—and the stakes are incredibly high.
In its simplest form, disruption is about creating a change so profound that it transforms the very nature of the field it touches. But agriculture isn’t like other industries. It’s deeply rooted in tradition, seasonal rhythms, and often in the wisdom of generations passed on.
Disruption in this context means rethinking these long-held practices, introducing innovative ideas that push boundaries and make farming more efficient but also resilient, sustainable, and adaptable to new challenges.
So why does disruption in agriculture even matter? Global food demand is rising, and climate change is placing unprecedented strain on resources like water, soil, and biodiversity. Meanwhile, challenges around labor shortages, market access, and food waste mean that traditional methods simply won’t keep pace with these evolving demands.
This is why agricultural disruption is about more than technology; it’s a necessary evolution to sustain our global food systems. It’s about creating solutions that are as dynamic and adaptable as the issues they address.
Be it precision agriculture, climate-smart farming, or novel techniques in soil and crop management, disruption in agriculture should aim to reimagine how we cultivate, harvest, and deliver food to our growing population.
Let’s explore what it takes to disrupt agriculture, and why this transformation demands a holistic rethinking of the entire agricultural landscape.
What It Takes to Disrupt Agriculture
In transforming agriculture, a few key factors emerge as essential ingredients. Each has its distinct contribution to reshaping food production, supply chains, and sustainability. Here, we explore these popular considerations and their role in driving disruption in agriculture.
Finance
Finance is arguably the backbone of agricultural innovation, enabling the large-scale deployment of new technologies and practices. Access to capital is crucial in agriculture, where the costs of land, equipment, and inputs can be a headache.
Obinna Onyejeli, founder of Agenpo & Maiaddy, identified patient capital as a key ingredient in disrupting agriculture. Patient capital—funding with a willingness to wait for long-term returns—remains a vital enabler of projects with longer gestation periods. It allows innovation to thrive even in uncertain conditions.
Without robust funding, the feasibility of implementing transformative technologies and practices is limited, making finance an undeniable cornerstone of agricultural disruption.
Source: iStock
Passion
Agriculture can be as tough as it is rewarding. In tough times, passion can be that extra push that drives agricultural innovators through the field’s many challenges. Passion sustains commitment during difficult times and fuels the drive to address issues.
Those passionate about agricultural change bring a problem-solving mindset & also the perseverance needed to see projects through to completion. But while passion is essential, it becomes even more impactful when combined with expertise, resourcefulness, and a clear plan.
Technology
According to Kenneth Obayuwana, founder of Agritech Digest, “Technology is at the heart of agricultural disruption. Digital tools like AI, drones, satellite monitoring, IoT devices, and blockchain are transforming how we grow, harvest, and distribute food. However, the key is to integrate these technologies purposefully.”
With data-driven solutions and improved transparency across the supply chain, technology has undoubtedly opened doors to more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices, making it an indispensable pillar in agricultural transformation.
Environmental Consciousness
Today’s agricultural disruptors aim to balance productivity with environmental stewardship. Agriculture has a dual relationship with the environment: it both impacts and is affected by environmental health.
Kenneth Obayuwana also points out that “Agriculture is both a significant cause of environmental issues and a potential solution to them,” emphasising the need for practices that minimise ecological damage and promote biodiversity. Environmental consciousness is especially critical as agriculture faces the pressures of climate change, resource depletion, and habitat loss.
Integrating sustainable practices—such as regenerative farming, efficient water use, and soil conservation—contributes to ecological health and strengthens the resilience of farming systems. This makes environmental consciousness a vital component of any strategy aimed at disrupting agriculture sustainably.
Gender Inclusion
Women comprise 43% of the agricultural workforce globally, according to FAO. Thus empowering them with access to resources, training, and support can increase productivity and community well-being.
Gender inclusion addresses disparities in access to inputs, land, and financial resources. It enables women to contribute fully to the agricultural economy. I believe that when women in agriculture are empowered, productivity rises, food security improves, and entire communities benefit.
By ensuring that all genders can participate and thrive, gender inclusion becomes a fundamental piece of the agricultural disruption puzzle.
Source: iStock
Are These Factors Enough?
Each of these elements—finance, passion, technology, environmental consciousness, and gender inclusion—plays a crucial role in agricultural disruption.
Without adequate funding, even the best ideas struggle to take off. Passion is the energy that propels innovators through tough times.
Technology offers the tools needed to improve efficiency and sustainability, while environmental consciousness ensures that growth does not come at the expense of future resources. Gender inclusion helps make agricultural advancements accessible and beneficial for all, tapping into a broader talent pool and ideas.
Yet, while these factors are undeniably important, they may not be sufficient on their own. The reality is that achieving meaningful, lasting disruption in agriculture requires a more nuanced approach, one that considers additional dimensions like policies, academia, localised solutions, education, collaborative networks, and long-term adaptability.
In the following sections, we’ll explore these deeper layers of disruption, addressing the additional considerations that may hold the key to reshaping agriculture for the future.
A Deeper Look at Disrupting Agriculture
While we focus on the external components of agricultural disruption, let’s dissect the internal factors that form the backbone of sustainable and transformative change. These are not merely aspects that complement technological advancements, but essential components that shape the very foundation of agricultural disruption.
The following considerations offer a more in-depth look at what is truly needed to revolutionise the agricultural landscape, especially in regions where resources are scarce and traditional practices dominate.
Understanding the Sector
It is not enough to have a technology or idea that could work in agriculture. To truly disrupt the sector, one must have a profound understanding of the agricultural landscape, particularly the nuances and intricacies of the local environment.
Technology can be a powerful tool for transformation. But without a deep awareness of the sector’s challenges, solutions may not align with the real needs of the people it intends to serve.
This understanding goes beyond basic knowledge of farming practices; it involves an intimate familiarity with local agricultural dynamics, supply chains, cultural practices, and the diverse challenges farmers face. Agricultural disruption cannot thrive on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Each region or community has its unique needs, from soil health and irrigation challenges to climate conditions and market access. For example, an agri-tech solution that works well in one region may fail in another because it overlooks the local farming context or the farmers’ capability to adopt new technologies.
Therefore, understanding the sector means embracing a comprehensive view of agriculture from the ground level, engaging directly with farmers, and identifying the bottlenecks that inhibit productivity or sustainability.
This local knowledge equips innovators to design solutions that exceed mere technological advancement to relevant, accessible, and sustainable solutions in the long run.
Disruption in agriculture is not only about introducing a new tool but about embedding that tool into a system where it can truly make a difference. EKUNDAYO Oluadamilare, CEO of Global Agrodelight said regarding localised solutions, “Technological adoption is essential, but it must be tailored to our unique contexts—simple, affordable, and scalable solutions that address specific agricultural needs like livestock management, soil health, and pest control.”
Leveraging Academia to Provide Solutions
One of the most glaring gaps in agricultural innovation today is the disconnection between academia and real-world applications. Across many African countries, research findings, often groundbreaking and highly relevant to farmers’ challenges, sit on shelves, rarely reaching policymakers or innovators in the private sector.
Bridging this gap is not just an opportunity—it’s a necessity. EKUNDAYO Oluwadamilare also remarked that “Disruption will come when research findings are not just published but translated into actionable solutions that address on-the-ground challenges,”
Source: iStock
Universities and research institutions are the breeding grounds for new ideas and solutions. However, the disconnect between academic research and its practical application limits its potential to catalyse change. What is missing is a clear channel for collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and the private sector to ensure that the knowledge generated in academia is applied in the field.
There are countless reports and studies that provide innovative solutions to agricultural problems, from pest control methods and soil regeneration techniques to innovative crop varieties and farmers’ socio-economic characteristics. However, in many cases, this knowledge remains theoretical.
When quizzed on what disruption in agriculture entails, Obinna Onyejeli highlighted the cooperation between academia and the private sector. The private sector must recognise the value of research-based solutions, and governments must ensure that funding and policy frameworks support such collaborations. Industry leaders and policymakers must engage researchers to create actionable frameworks that bring these solutions to life.
Government Policies
Government policies are often viewed as a limiting factor in agricultural innovation, but in reality, they can either enable or stifle disruption. Policies shape the environment in which agricultural businesses and technologies operate. In many cases, government decisions—such as subsidies, regulations, and tax incentives—determine the success or failure of agricultural innovations.
Take, for example, the potential for renewable energy solutions within agriculture. Innovations like using rice husks for bioenergy could offer farmers alternative energy sources, reduce costs, and reduce environmental waste. However, the success of such innovations depends on government policies that either encourage or discourage the use of alternative energy. Regulations related to energy production, distribution, and use can impact the scalability of these solutions.
Without a policy environment that supports such innovations—whether through tax credits, investment incentives, or deregulation of energy markets—disruptive ideas may remain small-scale experiments rather than transformative, large-scale solutions.
Source: iStock
Moreover, government policies are essential for creating the infrastructure necessary for agricultural technologies to succeed. Whether it’s the construction of roads for easy market access or the establishment of tech hubs to support agri-tech startups, government involvement plays a crucial role. In many African nations, the government’s role in investing in rural infrastructure, education, and technology access can be the deciding factor between innovation and stagnation.
Policies that promote agricultural sustainability, reward innovation, and incentivise research-based solutions can create a fertile ground for disruption. Governments must recognise that their role in shaping the agricultural landscape goes beyond regulatory measures and includes active facilitation of innovation and growth.
Impact Over Profit
Profit is seen as the ultimate goal in business. However, in disrupting agriculture, the focus should shift from profit alone to impact. This may seem counterintuitive in a profit-driven world, but in my view, sustainable profit follows naturally from creating real, measurable impact.
Impact in agriculture should be defined by a process in which a problem is understood from the perspective of those most affected, solutions are tailored to address those problems, and tangible results are achieved that improve the quality of life for farmers and consumers alike.
Of course, private and public sector self-praise a lot, grabbing every chance to show how much impact they make. But there are always concerns if true impact is what they care about or just optics.
Regardless, when impact becomes the priority, solutions are designed with people at their core. Disruption will only occur when solutions are designed to address the challenges of end users.
This approach does not just focus on introducing technology for technology’s sake but on implementing practical solutions that address the root causes of food insecurity, low productivity, and environmental degradation.
Impact also means that disruption should be measured and evaluated regularly. Systems for monitoring and assessing the outcomes of interventions must be put in place to ensure that they are truly driving progress.
These impact-driven innovations will, in turn, attract profit because businesses that genuinely solve problems build trust and customer loyalty, leading to long-term financial sustainability.
What Does Disruption Mean to You?
Disrupting agriculture is a term that’s been defined in many ways, from technological advancements to business model innovations. But what does “disruption” mean to you? Is it the development of groundbreaking technology, a rethinking of traditional farming practices, or perhaps something more nuanced?
As we’ve explored, there is no single formula for revolutionising a sector as complex as agriculture. Instead, the true power of disruption lies in the freedom to redefine and reimagine it.
Consider how personal perspectives shape what we view as disruptive. A farmer in a rural region, facing daily struggles with water scarcity, might see the true disruption as innovations in efficient water usage and drought-resistant crops.
Meanwhile, an urban entrepreneur might focus on data-driven solutions, believing that disruption in agriculture stems from integrating AI, IoT, and other advanced technologies.
Reflect, too, on what role you believe different players should hold in this transformative journey. Is the responsibility solely on tech innovators to introduce tools, or should it also be shared by policymakers, educators, and even consumers?
Disruption in agriculture could mean rethinking traditional hierarchies. It could mean empowering everyone within the food supply chain—from the smallest producer to the end consumer—to have a stake in innovative solutions.
As you explore these questions, allow yourself to think beyond what’s conventional. Imagine new ways in which environmental consciousness, academic insights, government action, and social values could all intersect to redefine what agriculture means in the 21st century.
Your perspective on disruption could be the starting point of a future where agriculture meets the world’s growing needs but does so sustainably, equitably, and with lasting impact.
