UniAgric Abeokuta Digitally Assist Farmers to combat Climate change
19th September 2023
By Admin
The Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta has developed an agricultural app as part of digital technology measures to combat the effects of climate change on agriculture by farmers, especially those in remote part of the country. Over 3,000,000 people stand to benefit from the agricultural app says Professor Adewale Dipeolu Dipeolu who is the vice chancellor of the university at a two-day European Union-funded workshop held at FUNAAB to discuss the findings of the group’s baseline study on the effects of climate change on agriculture in remote communities in Imo, Ogun, and Kwara states. The workshop had in attendance 40 stakeholders in agriculture drawn from government institutions, technical and vocational training schools specialising in agriculture, research institutes and governmental technology agencies. He said Nigeria’s agricultural sector had been grappling with numerous challenges, exacerbated by climate change, erratic rainfall, erosion, pest and disease outbreaks, and insecurity issues, such as farmer-herder clashes and that these adversities had left farmers vulnerable, particularly those residing in remote rural areas. The vice chancellor added that the app will assist the farmers in their day-to-day activities with hope that it will also assist them to go into other livelihood activities. The app will be translated into three major languages of Yoruba, Igbo and Fulani/Hausa for farmers in the country to be able to use it effectively. The primary beneficiaries of this initiative encompass rural farmers, with particular emphasis on women and young involved in farming. Additionally, local authorities, telecoms providers, and officials in various Nigerian localities stand to benefit from specialised training in digital solutions, which will promote sustainable agricultural practices and offer alternative livelihoods for rural farmers, enabling them to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.