The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to the digitalisation of agriculture in Nigeria and other member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Massimo De Luca, stated this on Saturday during a field mission for the EU’s DIGISOL project in Owerri.
The DIGISOL project is an initiative aimed at improving agriculture in Nigeria by equipping rural farmers with digital tools and training.
De Luca expressed gratitude to the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Imo, for effectively collaborating with the EU to train farmers across the state.
He also thanked the Imo State Government, led by Gov. Hope Uzodinma, for its support, adding that the EU DIGISOL project would enhance food security and improve lives.
“The EU DIGISOL project is about digital solutions and the transformation of lives through food sustainability.
“Ensuring that Nigerian farmers have the tools that they need to thrive in an era of climate change,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the project’s Team Lead, Mr Chris Addy-Nayo, said the initiative aimed to support digital production, processing, and trade knowledge sharing.
According to him, the project has engaged 100 farmers in Imo, 200 in Kwara, and 300 in Ogun states.
He assured farmers of the EU’s commitment to enhancing agriculture through digitalised processes for optimal productivity.
The Vice-Chancellor of UAES, Prof. Christopher Eze, reiterated the institution’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action through technical education, agriculture, human capital development, and food security.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Prof. Nelson Alino, thanked the EU for supporting the institution’s agricultural revolution initiatives through the DIGISOL project.
He expressed the university’s readiness for stronger collaborations in the best interests of the people of Imo State.
The state’s Commissioner for Digital Economy and e-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi, assured the EU of the state government’s commitment to integrating agriculture and digitalisation by leveraging technology.
The National Coordinator of the Fexdora Cooperative Agro Development, Mrs Ngozi Nwadike, said through training provided by UAES and the EU’s DIGISOL project, cooperative members could now digitally monitor their farms to prevent theft.
Nwadike added that the project had equipped farmers with technical knowledge on how to organically combat diseases such as cassava mosaic and others.
A key highlight of the event was a visit to the farms by the EU delegation, led by De Luca.
NAN
