In a step toward advancing agriculture in Nigeria, we have partnered with Niger Foods to deliver AI-powered advisory services to farmers in the Niger State. Through this collaboration, we deploy our Virtual Agronomist AI advisory service, providing maize, soybean, and rice farmers with real-time, data-driven insights to optimise crop management, improve soil health, and increase yields.
Having launched earlier this year, the initiative aims to support 10,000 farmers initially, expanding to 50,000 by the end of 2025. By leveraging technology to enhance productivity, this partnership is set to transform farming practices, improve profitability, and promote sustainability, creating a more resilient future for agriculture in Nigeria.
As we approach mid-February, we want to provide an update on our progress, successes and current plans with Niger Foods, to grow and adapt over the course of the coming year.
Key Achievements
Since the launch of our partnership in January this year, we are thrilled to share that we have already provided valuable agronomic knowledge and support to over 2,000 farmers in Niger State. This early success highlights the growing demand for tailored agronomic solutions and underscores the importance of leveraging technology to improve farming outcomes.
Initially, our focus was on rice faming, ensuring that rice farmers received precise, real-time recommendations to enhance crop health, optimise soil nutrition, and maximise yields. However, recognising the diverse needs of farmers in the region, we have expanded our advisory services with Niger Foods to also include maize farming and are now on the verge of introducing recommendations for cassava farming. Cassava is a staple crop in Nigeria, and by extending our support to cassava farmers, we are broadening our impact, ensuring that more farmers have the tools and knowledge they need to enhance productivity and drive long-term sustainability in agriculture.
Challenges
While every new venture faces challenges, we are pleased to report that no significant obstacles have emerged thus far. Instead, we have identified valuable opportunities to refine our methodology, particularly in the fertiliser recommendation process. This ongoing refinement is helping us adapt our approach to better serve the needs of Niger Foods and pave the way for future partnerships.
Feedback and Future Developments
Looking ahead, we are still in the early stages of developing and implementing customised nutrient plans and rolling them out to farmers. We are eagerly anticipating the positive impact that Virtual Agronomist will have in Nigeria. As the partnership evolves, we expect to refine our process further and expand our support across more crops and regions in Nigeria.
By leveraging technology to empower farmers, this partnership is paving the way for a more productive, profitable and sustainable agricultural sector in Africa. We are excited to witness the growing impact of Virtual Agronomist and remain committed to driving meaningful change in Nigerian farming communities.
To read more about our partnership with Niger Foods, click here.
