Afrigather 
By Shuaib S. Agaka
The Director Normal of Nationwide Data Expertise Improvement Company (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa has lately highlighted the game-changing potential of rising applied sciences like AI, IoT, and blockchain in remodeling Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Mr. Kashifu disclosed this lately through the launching of the Survey on Digitization of Provide-Chain in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms Venture, a collaborative effort between AGROVESTO, NITDA, Workplace for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Japan Worldwide Cooperation Company (JICA), and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Meals Safety (FMAFS).
The DG, represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, emphasised that these improvements can revolutionize farming practices, improve meals safety, and deal with long-standing challenges confronted by Nigerian farmers.
The initiative goals to harness the ability of know-how to drive sustainable agricultural development and enhance the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Nigeria.
Small-scale farming is a crucial part of Nigeria’s agricultural panorama, enjoying a central position within the nation’s economic system and meals safety. This sector is the spine for hundreds of thousands of rural households, offering employment and sustenance. Small-scale farmers contribute considerably to meals manufacturing, rising a wide range of crops and elevating livestock that meet native dietary wants and help home markets. Their contributions are essential for guaranteeing meals availability and stability, particularly in areas the place large-scale industrial farming is much less prevalent.
Regardless of their significance, small-scale farmers in Nigeria face quite a few challenges, that may be simply solved utilizing technological options. Regardless that technological options provide overwhelming advantages, nevertheless, there are a couple of issues related to the adoption of those technological options by the farmers, and these name for an deal with for the expansion of the nationwide economic system.
One in every of these arguments is the excessive preliminary price of technological instruments. Implementing superior instruments akin to precision agriculture techniques, information analytics platforms, and automatic equipment can require substantial monetary funding. For a lot of small-scale farmers, these prices appear big, particularly when budgets are tight and fast returns on funding are unsure.
Nevertheless, it ought to be highlighted that whereas the preliminary prices of digital instruments will be important, it is very important think about the long-term financial savings and return on funding they provide. Digital applied sciences can result in elevated effectivity, increased yields, and diminished waste, all of which contribute to better profitability over time. The enhancements in productiveness and effectivity can rapidly offset the preliminary expenditure.
Furthermore, numerous funding and help packages can be found to assist offset the prices of adopting digital applied sciences. Authorities grants, subsidies, and low-interest loans are sometimes supplied to encourage technological innovation in agriculture. Worldwide organizations and non-profits additionally present monetary help and technical help to small-scale farmers. These assets will help ease the monetary burden and make the transition to digital instruments extra possible.
One other method to mitigate excessive prices is thru collaborative fashions akin to farmer cooperatives. By pooling assets, small-scale farmers can collectively put money into digital instruments and share the advantages. This strategy not solely reduces particular person prices but in addition fosters information sharing and collective problem-solving. Cooperatives may negotiate higher offers and entry bulk-purchasing reductions, additional decreasing the monetary influence.
It ought to be famous that the long-term advantages of digital applied sciences typically outweigh the preliminary prices. The elevated effectivity, diminished waste, and higher market entry that digital instruments present can result in substantial financial positive aspects. When considered as an funding in future productiveness and profitability, the preliminary expense turns into a manageable and worthwhile funding.
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One other argument in opposition to the adoption of digital applied sciences in agriculture is that many farmers might wrestle to make use of applied sciences successfully because of restricted technological literacy.
To handle technological literacy points, it’s essential to put money into complete coaching and help packages. The packages ought to be tailor-made to the precise wants of farmers, offering hands-on instruction and sensible steering on utilizing digital instruments. Efficient coaching will help farmers construct confidence and competence in utilizing new applied sciences, making the transition smoother and extra profitable.
Quite a few profitable digital literacy initiatives present a mannequin for overcoming this barrier. As an example, organizations like Digital Inexperienced and numerous agricultural extension companies have carried out coaching packages that successfully educate farmers on utilizing know-how. These packages typically embrace workshops, subject demonstrations, and ongoing help, serving to farmers to combine digital instruments into their operations efficiently.
Moreover, community-based help networks and peer-to-peer studying may improve technological literacy. By fostering a tradition of collaboration and information sharing amongst farmers, these networks can facilitate the change of sensible suggestions and troubleshooting recommendation. Skilled customers can mentor others, serving to to unfold technological proficiency and construct confidence throughout the farming neighborhood.
One other concern is that infrastructure challenges, akin to restricted web and electrical energy entry in rural areas, are important limitations to the adoption of digital applied sciences in agriculture. Many rural areas in Nigeria face unreliable electrical energy and poor web connectivity, which might make it troublesome for farmers to make use of digital instruments successfully.
Regardless of these challenges, there have been notable enhancements in infrastructure that help digital adoption. Cellular-based functions that operate nicely with decrease connectivity ranges can provide invaluable companies even in areas with restricted web entry.
Additionally, solar-powered options are additionally rising as a sensible reply to electrical energy challenges in rural areas. Photo voltaic panels and battery storage techniques present a dependable and sustainable supply of energy, enabling farmers to make use of digital instruments and applied sciences no matter native grid reliability.
Importantly, partnerships between know-how suppliers, authorities companies, and native communities will help deal with infrastructure challenges. Collaborative efforts can result in the event of tailor-made options that meet the precise wants of rural areas. By working collectively, stakeholders can create modern approaches to overcoming infrastructure limitations and supporting digital adoption in agriculture.
To drive the profitable integration of digital options in Nigerian agriculture, it’s crucial that every one stakeholders; authorities companies, know-how suppliers, and the farming neighborhood collaborate and help this transformation. Authorities companies ought to prioritize funding and coverage help that fosters technological innovation, akin to grants, subsidies, and infrastructure improvement. By creating favorable situations for digital adoption, the federal government can facilitate a smoother transition for farmers. Expertise suppliers, however, must concentrate on growing user-friendly, reasonably priced options tailor-made to the wants of small-scale farmers. Their position additionally includes offering complete coaching and help to make sure that farmers can successfully make the most of these instruments.
Moreover, the farming neighborhood should be proactive in embracing digital options and collaborating in coaching packages. Farmers ought to interact with obtainable assets and advocate for the instruments and help they should improve their operations. By constructing partnerships and sharing information, farmers can collectively advance digital adoption and profit from improved productiveness and market entry. Encouraging open dialogue and cooperation amongst these stakeholders can be essential for overcoming limitations and realizing the total potential of digital transformation in agriculture.
Shuaib S. Agaka is Tech Journalist and writes from PRNigeria Centre Kano
