…launch AgriConnect to empower farmers

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Ogun State government in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, as well as the MTN Foundation has launch AgriConnect Initiative for 1,000 farmers across the state with a charge on them to embrace technological innovations in building sustainable economy for the state and Nigeria at large.

Speaking at the launch of the Programme, which took place at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the MTN Foundation Director, Odunayo Sanya said the launch of the programme marks a significant milestone in the collective journey towards empowering smallholder farmers in the State.

She noted that the Agriconnect initiative leverages mobile-enabled agricultural intelligence to provide farmers with the essential tools and resources they need access to real-time weather forecasts, market prices, and best farming practices will not only enhance decision-making, but will also lead to increase yield and income for farmers.

She said, “at the MTN Foundation, we believe in the power of technology to drive growth and create opportunities that lift our communities. That will mean an improvement and increase in our overall GDP as a nation, as a state, and the nation.

She disclosed that “the MTN Foundation has been at the forefront of contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic development since its inception in 2004, having invested about 32 billion Naira into various projects and interventions that align with the UNSDGs and Nigeria’s national priorities”.

“We have touched the lives, we’ve had the privilege to touch the lives of about 33 million Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, impacting our communities through our focus on capacity building, health, and economic empowerment, of which the Agriconnect forms a real part of it”.

She assured that the MTN Foundation will continue to support the prototype, by providing data and some other support for the programme.

“At the MTN Foundation, our vision is a Nigeria where no community is left behind, and indeed the Agriconnect initiative is a step towards realizing that vision”.

“Through our farmers, we will be making sure that no community is left behind, and together, we can create a future where our farmers thrive, where our communities prosper, and where our nation flourishes”.

In his remarks, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the federal government, under President Tinubu has placed food security at the heart of the national development strategy, adding that the target of the administration is to cultivate 500,000 hectares of land.

Dr. Tijani, while noting that land and labour alone would not get the country to the desired point of improved food security, said that productivity requires precision and innovation.

The Minister added that timing and intelligence are important to the development of agriculture, saying that the South West has what it takes to feed the country and the whole world.

He encouraged farmers to make good use of the mobile enabled devices given to them, to get the relevant information and plan adequately for the farming seasons, so as to ensure bumper harvest in their farms 

On his part, the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun said the digital platform would harness the growth of agriculture by establishing a robust platform that can connect farmers to virtual resources, modern technologies, and accessible markets.

He added that the Agriconnect initiative isn’t merely about enhancing productivity; it is about creating a holistic, technology-driven ecosystem that empowers Nigerian farmers with information about what to plant and the rainfall pattern.

High points of the event was the formal launching and presentation of mobile enabled devices designed and programmed by Huawei to provide the needed information for farmers on how to plan properly for the farming seasons