Experts in the agricultural sector have said Nigeria needs more smart farmers to guarantee food sufficiency in the country.
They highlighted this at a 2-day agricultural summit for farmers and cooperative societies, held at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
The “Digisol Project” aimed to provide digital solutions for sustainable agriculture and adaptation to climate change was sponsored by the European Union among other partners.
Speaking at the event, the state Project Manager, Mr Tajuedeen Ajala, harped on the training for rural farmers on sustainable, smart and digital agriculture that involves drones to guarantee food sufficiency.
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He said rural farmers have no business waiting for the rainy season to farm.
He urged them to take advantage of the off season and venture into poultry among other skilled entrepreneurs to provide alternative livelihoods.
“This initiative will expose the rural farmers to new innovations in agriculture that will increase productivity and assist in farm management in a manner that will make it very easy for them to manage diseases, expose and sell their produce to a global audience”, he added.
Ajala said the project is being pilot-tested in Al-Hikmah and two other universities in the country
“The University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Owerri and FUNAAB in Abeokuta are the two others.
“In each of these States, three local governments have been taken as pilot local phases with Asa, Moro and Ifelodun in Kwara involving over 40 farmers,” he said.
Also speaking, the project national coordinator, Prof Chris Emenyonu, said climate change has come to stay as the effects are clearly seen.
“So, we have to find a way to mitigate these challenges depending on the nature of our enterprise as farmers.
“Those farmers trained will have the capacity to train others. This will resolve the issue of huge post-harvest and yearly flooding losses to increase food security in the country.
“If informed that the intensity of rainfall or sunlight will be too high, the advice is don’t plant, be smart otherwise the farm may be raided by floods and diseases”, he noted.
Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Prof Lateef Sanni, said food importation, Boko Haram crisis and wastages contribute to Nigeria’s food crisis.
He emphasised that mechanised farming is essential to addressing these challenges, especially given the country’s rapidly growing population.
Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Prof Noah Yusuf, said the project aims at providing viable solutions to the nation’s food crisis.
