American Technology Company, Microsoft, is working to ensure food security in Nigeria and other parts of Africa through the planned digital transformation of agriculture.
The firm noted that with the sector sustaining up to 70% of Africa’s livelihoods, it (Microsoft) is working with government and private partners to enable data-driven, precision and connected farming that optimizes yields and boosts farm productivity and profitability.
Microsoft Nigeria Country Manager, Ola William said there is a need to explore the ways in which agritech is changing outcomes for farmers across the continent, unlocking productivity and helping farmers access the latest information and farming advice.
He noted that Africa’s agriculture sector is set for exponential growth in the coming decade, with a projected value of $1 trillion by 2030. The continent has also seen rapid growth in e-agriculture solutions and is poised to become the global centre of agritech solutions. In 2021, agriculture contributed 22.35% of the total GDP of Nigeria, with over 70% of Nigerians engaging in agriculture, largely at a subsistence level.
One way in which agritech changes the face of agriculture is through democratising information. Agriculture is the main driver of employment in Nigeria; however, the sector has seen reduced focus post oil era until recently. To help farmers adopt technology, partnerships are needed to simplify platforms and provide access to technology, particularly for rural farmers.
Portal solution
To meet these challenges, Microsoft, in partnership with the NIRSAL and multi-national companies operating in the country, hosted an Agro Innovate Hackathon. The two believe that within the Nigerian tech ecosystem is the solution to solve most of these challenges.
“The goal is to create a portal solution where farmers and customers can connect to conduct business, access the Internet, and where farmers can gain economic power and improve their profitability. The Hackathon will produce three winning local agritech startups, who will be nurtured through Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office and NIRSAL, and the intention is to train 30,000 farmers on the use of the platform, enrolling 10,000 farmers on the platform in the first year.”
Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Usman Gambo Abdullahi, said the Agro Innovate Hackathon will provide livelihood opportunities in the agriculture sector and contribute to the government’s economic diversification agenda, while simultaneously offering our brightest young Nigerian minds the chance to launch start-up ventures that will be nurtured by Microsoft.
“This is an opportunity to make a platform widely accessible to farmers and bridge the gap between farmers and consumers,” he stressed.
