In a significant step towards transforming agriculture in Nigeria, Niger Foods has entered a groundbreaking collaboration with Innovative Solutions for Decision Agriculture (iSDA) to boost extension through the delivery of AI-powered advisory services to farmers in the Niger State. This is aligned to the Farmer Governor’s vision of revolutionizing agriculture in Niger State.
This partnership will utilize iSDA’s Virtual Agronomist advisory service, an innovative AI tool, to revolutionize agricultural practices and provide maize, soybean, and rice farmers with real-time, data-driven insights and advice, enhancing crop management and increasing yields. The Virtual Agronomist service will provide timely agronomic advisory to farmers which will complement the support from public extension staff.
The service will offer customized recommendations on key agricultural practices, including fertilizer application and pest control, tailored to the specific needs of each farm. Virtual Agronomist assists farmers in improving their soil health by identifying nutritional deficiencies and suggesting the application of the correct nutrient balance. This is expected to increase both yield and quality, enabling farmers to improve their profits while also establishing more sustainable agronomic practices for the future.
The project, set to launch in the next season 2025, will initially target 10,000 farmers and aims to scale up to 50,000 farmers. Niger Foods in collaboration with iSDA will build the capacity of its field teams and youths in the use of the AI advisory and will support farmers in applying the recommendations.
Both parties aim to foster a long-term, sustainable solution that benefits farmers, enhances agricultural production, and boosts profitability. By empowering farmers with innovative technology, this collaboration is poised to transform the agricultural landscape in Niger State and beyond.