The founder of Blord Groups, Linus Williams, widely referred to as the “youths’ president” in the media space, made a powerful case for leveraging technology to revolutionize agriculture at the official launch of the Youth Farmers Enrollment Portal. The event, powered by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, held on Friday at the Abuja Continental Hotel, witnessed Williams delivering an impassioned speech that resonated deeply with the audience.
Drawing from his personal experiences, Williams emphasized the untapped potential of technology to transform agriculture, reduce food costs, and create opportunities for young people. “As a youth, I understand the challenges we face firsthand,” he said. “Three months ago, I traveled to China to explore ways to support our system. I found affordable rechargeable agricultural equipment that doesn’t require gas. These tools could change the game for farmers, but funding remains a major barrier.”
He lamented that despite the affordability of some solutions, many Nigerian youths cannot access them due to a lack of financial support. Williams further criticized the mismanagement of government funding meant for agriculture, stating that the aid rarely reaches those who genuinely need it.
“There comes a point in life when your own success inspires you to think of ways to help others, particularly your fellow Nigerians. In my capacity, I’ve funded several youths who turned out successful. But the reality is that private efforts alone cannot solve this problem. Government intervention is crucial to ensure that funding gets to the right people,” he explained.
Williams also emphasized the broader role of technology in agriculture, proposing innovative solutions to bridge existing gaps. He revealed plans for a tech app that could link farmers directly to buyers, thereby cutting out exploitative middlemen. “Middlemen are a big problem,” he said. “They buy produce at ridiculously low prices from farmers in remote areas and then sell them in urban centers at exorbitant rates. This practice inflates food costs unnecessarily. A simple app that connects farmers to end-users can solve this, but such initiatives require government support.”
The young entrepreneur also shared insights from his trip to China, where he explored the use of electric vehicles and their potential applications in Nigeria.
“I came across electric cars in China and decided to bring some to Nigeria. These cars were sold for N5 million each. After analyzing their potential, I realized they could work well in our environment if solar panels were installed across my city for charging purposes. I imported 10 electric cars and began implementing the idea.
“In my village, I have successfully reduced transportation costs by 70% through the use of electric cars and solar charging stations. Drivers no longer spend money on fuel; instead, they charge their vehicles at these stations. For example, transportation fares between my village and a neighboring one have dropped from N1,000 to N300”.
“Imagine applying the same concept to agriculture,” he said. “Rechargeable tractors and other electric farming equipment can significantly lower production costs. This could reduce food prices by 30 to 40%. Technology is the catalyst for change, and it’s no longer optional—it’s the foundation for the future.”
Williams, known for his forward-thinking approach and philanthropic efforts, urged the government to recognize the contributions of young Nigerians and provide meaningful support. “The youths are ready to handle these challenges, but they need the government’s backing,” he stressed. “Funding must not go to the wrong hands. If you promise us support, deliver on it. Let it reach the people who truly need it.”
Ending his address, the Blord Groups founder expressed optimism about the future but reiterated the need for collaboration between the government and young innovators. “Agriculture is the backbone of any economy. With the right tools, funding, and policies, we can make it attractive and profitable for our youths,” he said.