In this interview with The Guardian’s Ifeanyi Ibeh, agricultural engineer, Muhammed Braimoh Usman shares practical insights on how sustainable innovations like solar, biogas, and smart logistics can transform Nigeria’s rural farming systems and cut environmental impact.
Based on your experience reducing waste at some farms, what low-cost strategies can smallholder farmers in Nigeria adopt to minimise post-harvest losses and improve sustainability?
Post-harvest losses are a critical challenge in Nigeria, but smallholder farmers can adopt several practical, low-cost interventions. Firstly, proper on-farm storage using raised, ventilated structures and airtight containers like hermetic bags can drastically reduce spoilage. Secondly, drying crops like maize and cassava with solar dryers rather than open-air drying protects them from weather and contamination. Thirdly, organising farmer cooperatives allows shared investment in small-scale processing equipment like chippers or threshers, which reduce waste and add value. Lastly, training on timely harvesting and sorting ensures that quality produce reaches markets and is not lost due to delay or handling errors.
You achieved a reduction in carbon emissions and integrated solar and biogas systems at a farm. What scalable models can be developed to help rural Nigerian farms transition to renewable energy sources?
The key to scaling renewable energy in rural agriculture is modular design and pay-as-you-go financing. At Emperor Farms, we deployed solar-powered water pumps and hybrid solar-biogas systems for operations. This model can be replicated using off-grid solar kits for irrigation and lighting, combined with biodigesters that convert livestock or organic waste into energy. Rural clusters of farms can pool waste for shared digesters, while micro-finance institutions and cooperatives can provide financing through lease-to-own models. Government partnerships can also help by subsidising initial infrastructure costs and creating clear standards for off-grid agro-energy systems.
Having improved yield and water use efficiency simultaneously, what practical steps would you recommend to Nigerian farmers for implementing precision irrigation systems in water-stressed regions?
Precision irrigation doesn’t have to be expensive or complex. It starts with understanding when and how much to irrigate. Farmers can use simple soil moisture sensors, tensiometers, or even mobile apps that give weather-based irrigation advice. Drip irrigation systems, especially gravity-fed models, are well-suited to small plots and minimise water wastage. Mulching with crop residue helps conserve soil moisture. Crucially, farmers must be trained on scheduling irrigation based on crop growth stages. Government or extension services can support by offering subsidised kits and community-level demonstration projects.
With your background in smart logistics and agricultural supply chain optimisation, how can technology be deployed to reduce food spoilage during transportation and improve market access for remote farming communities?
The biggest driver of spoilage during transportation is poor coordination and a lack of cold storage. Mobile technology can change this. For instance, digital platforms that match farmers with nearby transporters or markets can reduce wait times and spoilage. Aggregation centres equipped with solar-powered cold rooms can serve clusters of small farmers. Real-time tracking and SMS-based updates also help farmers plan harvests around market demand. Public-private partnerships should support the deployment of smart logistics hubs in rural areas, with youth-led digital platforms connecting them to urban markets.
Given your work on environmental compliance and sustainable design, what policies or incentives should the Nigerian government introduce to encourage agribusinesses to adopt eco-friendly practices?
To promote sustainability, the government should introduce green certification schemes that reward eco-compliant agribusinesses with tax breaks or export advantages. Soft loans or matching grants should be made available to agro-industries investing in renewable energy, waste-to-energy systems, or water-efficient technologies. Stronger environmental reporting requirements—especially for large-scale processors—would also drive compliance. Importantly, the government should strengthen extension services to support the adoption of sustainable practices among SMEs and smallholders, and create a national carbon offset framework that rewards emission reductions from agriculture.
You achieved carbon footprint reduction at your farm. What specific emission sources in Nigerian agriculture are often overlooked, and how can they be effectively monitored and mitigated?
Two commonly overlooked sources are methane emissions from manure and food waste at processing sites. Most farms in Nigeria still dispose of manure improperly, releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting or biodigestion can capture and reuse this waste. Another source is fuel use in water pumping and post-harvest processing. Replacing diesel pumps with solar units is a high-impact mitigation step. Monitoring can be improved through mobile-based emission tracking tools that record energy, fertiliser, and fuel usage. Over time, this can feed into a national agricultural emissions inventory, guiding policy and carbon credit opportunities.
As someone who has worked on integrating AI and automation into agriculture, what are the most promising tech-driven interventions that can boost productivity while maintaining environmental integrity in Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones?
AI and automation can bring about a quiet revolution in Nigerian agriculture if adapted wisely. In the short term, AI-powered crop advisory apps can help farmers optimise input use—fertiliser, pesticides, and irrigation—based on satellite data and local conditions. Automation in post-harvest sorting and grading can reduce waste and improve quality. Drones for field monitoring, pest surveillance, and even precision spraying are gaining ground. However, training and affordability are key. Government and private actors should create innovation hubs in rural areas that provide access to these technologies, customised to local crops and ecosystems.
