Farmers and agricultural stakeholders in Imo State have received digital training aimed at enhancing food production and combating the adverse effects of climate change.
The training, organised by the European Union (EU) and funded by the DIGISOL Project, was held over the weekend at the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo.
The workshop brought together farmers from Imo, Ogun, and Kwara states and focused on equipping them with digital solutions and financial tools that would modernise farming practices and improve climate resilience.
Speaking during the event, the project manager and vice-chancellor of UAES, Professor Christopher Eze, highlighted the significance of integrating digital innovation into agriculture.
“Agriculture has continued to play a vital role in the economic development of Nigeria, but the farmers, who are the major players in this sector, remain highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” Prof. Eze said.
“By adopting digital financial solutions in modern farming, farmers will be able to access financial services more easily, make informed decisions, and ultimately boost their productivity.”
He noted that the DIGISOL Project was designed not only to modernise agriculture through digital inclusion but also to build long-term resilience in rural farming communities.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the DIGISOL Project, Chinasaokwu Onyemauwa, said the training was part of a broader strategy to empower farmers with sustainable solutions that would increase food production and improve livelihoods.
“This initiative is in line with the core objective of the project: promoting digital solutions for farmers in remote communities to adapt to climate change,” Onyemauwa said.
“We are committed to ensuring that farmers, especially those in underserved areas, are not left behind in the digital revolution. Equipping them with the right skills and knowledge is crucial for agricultural development and food security.”
Participants at the training expressed appreciation for the programme, describing it as timely and transformative.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Chinyere Eke, a cassava farmer from Ohaji, said the training has changed her perspective on farming.
“Before now, I didn’t know how to use any digital platform, but now I can monitor weather updates, access financial apps, and even sell my produce online,” she said.
“This training has opened my eyes to opportunities I never knew existed.”
With agriculture being one of the largest employers of labour in Nigeria, the organisers stressed the need for continuous investment in digital capacity-building initiatives to ensure the sector’s sustainability amidst changing environmental conditions.
The DIGISOL Project is a European Union-backed initiative aimed at promoting digital innovation for agricultural transformation in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities.
Source - https://thewhistler.ng
