Imo: Experts profer digital solutions to boost farmers’ productivity

Experts, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders from agricultural and technology sectors have unveiled digital tools that would help farmers to increase their productivity in Imo State.

The technology products, the Guardian gathered would be made available to three hundred farmers in the state who will also be trained on how to apply them to overcome the challenges which climate change pose to their farming.

This was disclosed at the opening ceremony of the two-day workshop/research organised with the support from European Union for Agro experts in the country, held at the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, UAES, Umuagwo, Imo State on Wednesday.

Speaking, the EU representative, Dr. Sabri Mekaoui and the UAES Vice Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Eze decried the negative impact of climate change on human endeavours including farming.

According to them, “digital technologies can play vital role in solving challenges of food insecurity and farmers’ vulnerabilities, “because they have potential to provide farmers with the necessary information and ability to address challenges and harness opportunities for growth.”

Prof. Eze said, “Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world, with population of over 200 million people. The implication of this high population is that there are gaping mouths to be fed and this can only be done when technology meets agriculture.

“By harnessing the power of digital technologies, we can empower our farmers to make informed decisions, increase their productivity, and ultimately improve their livelihoods.”

Flagging the workshop open, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Johncliff Nwadike reiterated the commitment of his government to continually enhance agriculture and general well-being of the citizens.

He said his government has procured set of computers which would be distributed to all schools in the state in a bid to ensure that the state is technology driven and well positioned to benefit the gains therein.

He said, “the global agricultural sector is facing unprecedented challenges due to the adverse effects of climate change.
“Eratic weather patterns, shifting precipitations, and rising temperatures are leading to crop failures, reduced yields, and increased vulnerability of food systems and framers in general.

“Our population is growing at an alarming rate and the farming population is ageing without replacement with younger ones.

“To address these challenges and ensure food security for a growing population, there is a critical need to develop climate-resilient technology that will enable farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.”

Also, speaking on “Enhancing Universal Access of Telecom Services to Farmers in Imo State, the Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi said, “the expected outcomes from this workshop would help to ensure food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and mitigate the impacts of a changing climate, fostering the implementation of the Agenda 2030 and our common journey towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through a safe and ethical use of digital technologies.”