IN the heart of Plateau State, Nigeria, a quiet revolution is underway. Farmers are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technologies to overcome harsh climate conditions and boost productivity. One of them, Dandam Nangor, now monitors his greenhouse from his phone—tracking temperature, soil moisture, and pH levels in real-time.
‘Since adopting this tech, my crop yield has increased by around 400 kilograms, about 20%,’ Nangor, a 34-year-old IT analyst and farmer, told AFP during a tour of his greenhouse in Jos.
The data feeding his smartphone is gathered by sensors placed in the soil and analysed by Nigerian agri-tech firm Green Eden. The system is part of a growing movement dubbed ‘Agriculture 2.0’, aimed at transforming the lives of Nigeria’s farmers—whether subsistence growers or tech-savvy entrepreneurs.
Tackling climate challenges with technology
Jos, a city 1,200 metres above sea level, is renowned for its mild climate and fertile farmland. Its produce has long fed markets across Nigeria. But like much of West Africa, the region is grappling with climate change. Erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts are taking a toll on smallholder farmers, who make up the backbone of Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
‘The simple problem is the weather. Climate change,’ said Stephanie Meltus, Green Eden’s 21-year-old founder, speaking to AFP. Her company’s technology is now in use on more than 70 farms across Plateau State. ‘That’s what we’re trying to solve.’
Green Eden began with small-scale funding from friends and family but has since attracted support from businesses and foundations. Meltus believes their mission is to ‘bridge the gap’ between Nigeria’s booming tech industry and its rural farming communities.
Agri-tech expands from fields to poultry farms
The agri-tech boom is not limited to crops. In Jos, poultry farmer Mercy Atsuku has seen major improvements since installing a smart monitoring system from local start-up Anatsor. The technology monitors temperature, humidity, and water quality in her chicken houses.
‘Before, I had to wake up in the middle of the night to check on the chickens,’ Atsuku told AFP. Now, she gets instant alerts on her phone if there’s a problem, such as contaminated water or dangerous heat levels. ‘We barely even record any mortality cases,’ she added.
Anatsor’s 24-year-old founder, Miriam Agbo, said poultry farming is especially vulnerable to unpredictable weather. ‘If temperatures are too high, the chickens stop eating. If it’s too humid, they huddle together and risk suffocating,’ Agbo explained.
Although the system costs about $150—three times Nigeria’s monthly minimum wage—Atsuku said it has drastically reduced her stress and improved her farm’s efficiency.
Keeping farmers on the land
These innovations come at a critical time. Agronomy professor Nuhu Adamu Gworgwor from the University of Jos told AFP that drought and unpredictable rains are pushing many farmers to abandon their fields for city life.
‘They can’t sustain farming anymore. Many have given up,’ Gworgwor warned.
But some young Nigerians are determined to change that. English literature student Gambo Wadams Zakka is developing a start-up that uses satellite imagery and AI to warn farmers about pests. His vision includes text message alerts for market prices, helping farmers decide the best times to sell their crops.
‘We could send an SMS saying beans are selling at 15,000 naira per bag, but prices will rise next week,’ Zakka explained.
A new future for Nigerian agriculture
Veteran farmer Michael Inyam Itsegok, who has cultivated potatoes, bananas, and cucumbers for 25 years, believes AI could be the game-changer Nigerian agriculture needs.
‘If you don’t know what’s coming, you’re at the mercy of it,’ he said.
Despite the challenges—poor internet access in rural areas and concerns over land degradation—AI and smart technology are offering hope to Nigerian farmers. The tools may not fix everything, but they are helping farmers take back control from an unpredictable climate.
