In the heart of Nigeria, a quiet revolution is taking place, one that blends the traditional rhythms of agriculture with the cutting-edge pulse of technology. This is the story of how artificial intelligence and local innovation are transforming farming in Nigeria, a country where agriculture is the lifeblood of millions.
In the city of Jos, Dandam Nangor, a 34-year-old IT analyst, is at the forefront of this change. With a few taps on his phone, he can monitor the temperature of his greenhouse, know exactly when to water his crops, and even check the pH of his soil. This isn’t magic; it’s the work of Green Eden, a local agri-tech company that has deployed its technology on over 70 farms across the region. For Nangor, the results have been tangible: a 20% increase in pepper production, thanks to the data-driven insights provided by the system.
The need for such innovation is pressing. Farmers across West Africa are grappling with the impacts of climate change, with erratic rainfall patterns threatening livelihoods and food security. In Nigeria, where agriculture contributes about 20% to the GDP, the stakes are high. Stephanie Meltus, the 21-year-old founder of Green Eden, sees this technology as a solution to the “simple problem” of weather unpredictability. “That’s what we are trying to solve,” she says, highlighting the potential to bridge the gap between Nigeria’s thriving tech scene and its rural agricultural heartlands.
The tech revolution isn’t limited to greenhouses. In the same city, Mercy Atsuku is raising chickens with the help of another local start-up, Anatsor. The system monitors temperature, humidity, and air and water quality, sending alerts to Atsuku’s phone if conditions become unfavourable. For her, the investment has been worth it, reducing stress and improving the health of her flock. Miriam Agbo, the 24-year-old founder of Anatsor, explains that the unpredictable weather patterns driven by climate change make such technology indispensable. “When the temperature is too high, the chickens don’t eat,” she notes, underscoring the delicate balance that farmers must maintain.
This tech boom comes at a critical time. Nuhu Adamu Gworgwor, an agronomy professor at the University of Jos, points out that climate change and urbanisation are driving people away from agriculture. Poor harvests due to drought and erratic rains have left many farmers disillusioned, and they are unlikely to return to the fields. The new technologies offer a lifeline, providing farmers with the tools they need to adapt and thrive in an uncertain climate.
However, the path forward is not without its challenges. Critics of the agri-tech sector argue that the focus should be on mitigating farming’s environmental impact, rather than just increasing output. Moreover, issues like land degradation, lack of access to financing, and poor infrastructure remain significant hurdles. Only 40% of people in Nigeria have an internet connection, a figure that drops sharply in rural areas.
Yet, the spirit of innovation persists. Gambo Wadams Zakka, an English literature student, is pursuing a start-up that combines satellite imagery and AI to warn farmers of pest infestations via text message. He also aims to monitor market prices, providing farmers with valuable insights into when to sell their crops. For Michael Inyam Itsegok, a farmer with 25 years of experience, such technology represents a beacon of hope. “If you don’t have an insight of what is coming,” he says, “you are left at the mercy of that very thing that has come.”
As Nigeria stands on the cusp of an agricultural revolution, the fusion of technology and tradition offers a promising path forward. It’s a journey fraught with challenges, but one that holds the potential to transform the lives of millions, ensuring that the fields of Nigeria remain fertile and productive for generations to come.
