Oshi: How Digital Innovation Can Transform Agricultural Education, Tackle Food Security, ,
At the intersection of digital technology, education and climate resilience, Agrisiti founder and Product Strategist Eneyi Oshi is developing a model to reshape how young people learn, practice and participate in agriculture. In this interview with Funmi Ogundare, she explains how innovation, collaboration and strategic partnerships are transforming agricultural education; blending digital learning with practical experience to cultivate a new generation of youths equipped to tackle food security challenges while building sustainable careers in the sector
As founder and product strategist of Agrisiti, a digital agritech venture, Eneyi Oshi is leveraging technology-driven solutions to address food security challenges while equipping a new generation of youths with practical agricultural skills.
Since 2021, Oshi has led Agrisiti’s growth, developing smart agricultural systems and digital learning infrastructure to scale agricultural education beyond traditional classrooms. Her approach combines academic excellence, innovation strategy, and ecosystem partnerships to create technology-enabled pathways for skills development, particularly in urban environments.
Driving access through digital learning
Oshi said that the decision to integrate a learning management system into agricultural education was largely driven by the need for scalability and access. She explained that traditional training methods limited reach, as facilitators had to be physically present to teach, restricting participation to a small number of students.
According to her, earlier initiatives, such as the Lagos Agric Scholars Programme, highlighted the constraints of in-person training.
“When we were running the programme, it was a very physical setting, and we were only able to reach the students who visited. Our reach was limited to the number of schools we could attend, and it required a significant workforce,” she stated.
Oshi said that technology offered a sustainable alternative, adding that with a target of training millions of people by 2035, digital learning became essential to achieving scale. Through recorded courses and collaborations with global experts, Agrisiti now delivers structured agricultural knowledge to thousands of learners without the logistical and cost barriers of physical training.
She added that digital courses enable efficient knowledge dissemination, noting that a 10-hour course recorded once can impact thousands of people while reducing operational costs and increasing the value of the resources invested.
Blending digital learning with practical experience
Despite the advantages of digital platforms, Oshi stressed that agriculture remains a highly practical discipline. She explained that learners must go beyond theoretical knowledge to gain hands-on experience.
To address this, she said that Agrisiti combines digital learning with experiential training. The hybrid approach, she noted, includes partnerships with farms across different locations, allowing learners to participate in farm tours, demonstrations, and field-based learning.
“The model enables learners to acquire foundational knowledge online and then apply it in real-world settings,” Oshi said.
She also revealed plans to integrate immersive technologies, such as virtual reality, enabling participants to experience farming processes from home while gaining practical insights.
This combination of virtual and experiential learning, she stated, enhances effectiveness and expands access to agricultural education nationwide.
Expanding opportunities for urban learners
Oshi reiterated that the model is particularly beneficial for students in urban areas. Through city farming initiatives, Agrisiti encourages young people to grow food within their immediate environments. She explained that many of the organisation’s partner farms are located within cities, making it easier for urban learners to gain exposure.
“In addition, demo plots and hubs allow participants to observe techniques such as aquaponics and hydroponics, before replicating them in their homes,” the founder said.
She added that this approach empowers individuals with limited land to engage in backyard farming and contribute to food production, while developing practical skills.
Changing youth perceptions of agriculture
Through smart farming initiatives, Oshi said she has observed a shift in how young people perceive agriculture. While statistics suggest an ageing farming population, she believes that younger generations are interested but drawn to technology-driven models.
She noted that integrating innovations such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and integrated farming systems has sparked curiosity among young people, making agriculture more appealing.
Oshi said, “The introduction of smart systems has transformed agriculture into a field associated with innovation and opportunity, rather than manual labour.”
This shift, she said, is encouraging more youth participation.
The role of partnerships in scaling impact
Oshi stressed that partnerships between educational institutions and technology startups are critical to scaling agricultural innovation. She noted that collaboration expands reach, fosters innovation, and provides learning opportunities for young people.
By working across sectors, she said organisations can introduce new technologies into agricultural education, stimulate creative thinking, and expose students to emerging opportunities.
Such collaborations, she added, are central to Agrisiti’s strategy for building a sustainable agricultural learning ecosystem.
The product strategist also expanded her impact beyond Lagos through strategic partnerships that empower underserved communities.
She led a collaboration with the TAGDev 2.0 programme at the University of Port Harcourt, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and RUFORUM, to deliver digital and innovation-driven training to about 3,500 marginalised youths.
“The initiative prioritised inclusion, with 70 per cent of beneficiaries being young women, 20 per cent persons with disabilities, and 10 per cent refugees,” Oshi explained.
She noted that the distribution reflects a deliberate inclusion strategy embedded in the design and outreach model.
Leading as a non-technical founder
Emphasising her leadership journey, Oshi explained that as a non-technical founder, clarity of vision and strategy have been essential. She said communicating the organisation’s mission effectively helps to align diverse teams, from engineers to business professionals.
She also stressed the importance of strategic planning in translating vision into measurable outcomes, enabling the organisation to develop scalable digital products.
Advice for aspiring agritech innovators
Oshi advised students interested in education technology and agritech to be intentional about knowledge acquisition and content consumption. In a fast-paced digital environment, she warned against relying on unverified information, especially in agriculture, where poor guidance can lead to significant losses.
She encouraged young people to seek certified training, conduct research, and learn from experts. She added that mentorship is important, as experienced professionals can guide beginners through challenges.
Networking, she noted, remains one of the most valuable tools for growth.
“Young people in agriculture need support systems. It’s not a journey you can do in isolation,” she said, stressing the importance of peer-to-peer collaboration.
According to Oshi, structured networking enables young practitioners to share experiences, learn collectively, and achieve greater impact than working alone.
, Education – THISDAYLIVE, April 1, 2026, 12:26 am
