Tech Expert Promotes ICT in Agriculture

Na’ankwat Dariem,  Abuja

A Professor of Digital Systems Engineering, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda has advocated for the adoption of Information, Communications Technology( ICT) for the transformation and development of the agricultural value chain and to ensure food insecurity.

In an interview with Voice of Nigeria, he said that ICT can be applied from farm inputs to producers, to the logistics of distributing to wholesalers, retailers and finally to the consumer.

On the other hand, he said consumers can also access quick and safer places to buy cheap farm products, adding that the chain is traceable with technology.

Satellite mapping can be applied in agriculture, to check for disease control, and pest control, to know crops to plant in the right season, and which will boost production.

“These farmers will need a platform that requires training. This means that governments must think of training farmers,” he emphasised.

According to Professor Yilwatda, the farmers can be trained on both vertical and horizontal applications of technology to boost the agricultural value chain.

He added that “we have the infrastructure and  policies  but we need the leadership that can enforce for food security to be achieved.”