EU, UAES, strengthen partnership to digitalize agriculture in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) and the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES) Umuagwo, have agreed to continue their partnership in the digitalization of the the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

The Head of Cooperation, for the EU delegation, Nigeria and the ECOWAS, Mr Massimo De Luca, disclosed this during a field mission on the EU’s Digisol project, in Owerri, weekend.

Expressing his satisfaction following the visit to Iho, Ikeduru Council Area of Imo state, to see one of the casava farms with the support of the Digisol project, De Luca, thanked the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, in Imo, for effectively collaborating with the EU to train farmers across the state.

He was also thankful to the Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, for the support adding that “the EU DIGISOL project would transform lives through food security.”

“The EU DIGISOL project is about digital solutions and transformation of lives through food sustainability and ensuring that Nigerian farmers have the tools that they need to thrive in an era of climate change,” he said.

Speaking on the readiness of the University to sustain the partnership, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Christopher Eze, said among other things that; “The institution is committed to environmental sustainability and climate action through technical education, agriculture and human capital development as well as food security.”

Adding his voice, the project Team Lead, Mr Chris Addy-Nayo , said: “The project, which has captured 100 farmers in Imo, 200 in Kwara and 300 in Ogun states respectively, aims at digital production and processing as well as trade knowledge sharing, adding that the EU is ready to improve agriculture through digitalized processes for optimal output.”

Also speaking, the Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Prof. Nelson Alino, thanked the EU for supporting the institution’s agro revolution initiatives using the DIGISOL project and expressed its readiness for stronger collaborations in the overall interest of Imo people.

The state’s Commissioner for Digital Economy and e- Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi, assured the EU of the state’s conscious decision to unite agriculture and digitalization through the harnessing of technology that can enhance access to market and connect customers.

Also, National Coordinator of the Fexdora Cooperative Agro Development, Mrs Ngozi Nwadike, said that “With the trainings that we have acquired from the UAES and the EU’s DIGISOL project, our members can digitally monitor their farms against theft, and sell their products digitally among other things. The project has helped us to equip farmers with technical know how to organically fight disease such as the cassava mosaic and others.”

Source : Vanguard Newspapers