A total of 311 smallholder farmers from Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area in Ogun State, Nigeria, have received training on the use of digital tools to enhance farm management, access to finance, and crop production. The training, conducted by agritech company Crop Cura in collaboration with Dizengoff and Casava Insurance, took place on August 12 at the local government secretariat. The event drew agricultural officials, farmer representatives, and other stakeholders.
The training was initially planned for 200 farmers, but the turnout exceeded expectations, with 311 farmers in attendance. The session was conducted mainly in Yoruba to ensure that farmers with limited formal education could fully participate. Representatives from Dizengoff discussed the proper use of agricultural inputs, fertilizer application, and crop protection, while Casava Insurance introduced the farmers to agricultural insurance and its benefits.
Crop Cura's Dr. Soetan Olatunbosun presented a session titled "Use your phone to farm better and get money for your farm," demonstrating ways farmers could utilize smartphones for agricultural activities. He introduced the Crop Cura artificial intelligence tool, which enables users to identify potential crop-health problems using camera scans and obtain advisory information. The farmers were also encouraged to maintain digital records of their farms to build verifiable financial profiles.
The training featured a practical session on the Crop Cura mobile application, led by Mrs. Ebelechukwu Uvietesivwi. Farmers used their Android phones to download and navigate the application, with facilitators and some participants assisting others during the exercise. The organizers stated that the training aimed to promote the adoption of digital tools among smallholder farmers in the area.
The event was attended by notable figures, including the Director of Agriculture for Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Abolade Omidiji; the State Chairman of the Maize Association of Nigeria, Lanre Kokumo; and the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project coordinator for Ado-Odo/Ota, Wale Ajayi. The training addressed various challenges faced by farmers, including soil-related issues and the need for proper application of farm inputs.
The farmers were given the opportunity to ask questions about crop failures, weather-related risks, and other challenges affecting their operations. The session also emphasized the importance of maintaining digital records to access credit and build financial profiles. Dr. Olatunbosun stressed that AI should complement, rather than replace, physical farm inspections and professional agricultural advice.
The training is part of efforts to encourage the adoption of digital tools among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. With the use of digital tools, farmers can improve productivity, access finance, and make informed decisions about their agricultural activities. The organizers believe that this training will have a positive impact on the agricultural sector in Ogun State and beyond.
Key points
- Over 300 farmers were trained on digital tools to improve farm management and productivity.
- The training was conducted in Yoruba to ensure farmers with limited formal education could participate.
- The Crop Cura AI tool enables farmers to identify potential crop-health problems using camera scans.
