Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with 3 universities in the country to advance research and application of digital technology to farming.
NITDA is in collaboration with the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Federal University Dutse (FUD) and University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) for the pilot scheme. This was disclosed by the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Abdullahi.
According to him, NITDA is establishing Information Technology (IT) centres in the communities and institutions of learning across the country as well as providing training for Nigerians to operate in line with the Federal Government’s policy on digital economy.
What NITDA is saying
The NITDA noted that agriculture makes up 24% of Nigeria’s GDP, but despite this contribution, it faces issues of “low technology, high production cost and poor distribution of inputs, limited financing, high post-harvest losses, and poor access to markets.”
Abdullahi added that the application of digitech in farming would reduce the quantity of water, fertiliser and labour required, as well as increase yield.
Using technology in farming will help the country optimise this sector, “improve production, reduce waste, facilitate access to markets, and thereby put Nigeria on the path of food security and substantial income generation,” he added.
The NITDA stated that the agency hopes to attract a younger population to farming and boost the country’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy through which it hopes to become a leading player in the global digital economy.
