An agro-diagnostic firm, RID LAB, has urged governments and farmers to adopt data-driven and science-based agriculture practices, saying they are key to reducing losses and safeguarding public health.
The Chief Executive Officer of RID LAB, Femi Dairo, called on the government to create enabling policies for science-based practices to thrive at the second edition of the All Farmers Business Meeting 2.0, held on Wednesday in Lagos.
Dairo said, “One of the enabling policies the government should create is making diagnosis first before treatment a rule and not an exception. Without diagnosis, we cannot promote the sustainability we desire, and we cannot uphold public health.”
He explained that diagnostic practices had helped reduce losses on farms, improve sustainability, and protect food systems.
“Diagnosis is not an afterthought but the backbone of modern agriculture,” the RID LAB boss added.
The agro-diagnostic firm also tasked regulators such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to curb the misuse of antibiotics and ensure laboratories remain globally compliant.
Dairo further called on the media to “carry the message to the masses that science-driven farming is not a burden, but a lifeline.”
In her keynote address, the Lagos State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to data-driven agriculture not only for farmers’ profits but also for public health.
Olusanya, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Fisheries, Olorunfemi Oniyide, said, “Successful farming decisions must be driven by facts and figures, not guesswork. By leveraging data, we can reduce losses, improve productivity, strengthen agribusinesses and secure greater profitability.”
She warned against the misuse of antibiotics in agriculture, noting that antimicrobial resistance posed a growing threat to food systems and public health.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems recognises the urgent need to address this challenge. We are committed to promoting proper diagnosis, responsible use of veterinary medicines, continuous capacity building and the development of some policy frameworks,” she said.
Also, the Managing Director of Rid-Agric. Ltd., Adewunmi Dairo, restated the importance of data to agricultural growth, stating, “Turning data into profit captures the very heart of why we are gathered here today. For too long, farming has been driven by assumptions and guesswork. However, in today’s world, the future of agriculture must be built on facts, on data and on truth.”
She commended government officials, regulators, and partners for supporting policies and innovations that strengthen agribusinesses.
