Smallholder farmers in Ogun State have expressed their delight and gratitude to the MTN Foundation, the Ogun State Government, and the Federal Government for introducing the AgriConnect initiative, a digital agriculture platform to improve farming practices through mobile-enabled agricultural intelligence.
Supported by Huawei, the initiative is expected to positively impact the lives of 1,000 farmers by equipping them with essential tools and knowledge to boost productivity and adopt tech-driven agricultural methods.
At the launch event, Mr. Olude Joshua, a farmer from Oja-Odan in Yewa North Local Government Area, shared his excitement about participating.
“I was very happy when I saw the message,” he said. “On getting here today, we were amazed, especially when we learned that we farmers will now be using technology-enabled phones. We were very happy.”
Joshua expressed particular appreciation to the MTN Foundation for providing free SIM cards, registration, and data access, allowing farmers to receive real-time weather forecasts, market prices, and best practices for agriculture.
Mrs. Alimi Kehinde, a farmer from Odogbolu Local Government Area, also spoke at the event.
She and her husband cultivate cassava and bananas on over 10 hectares of land.
“After harvesting, we use the cassava to produce fufu, which we supply to areas such as Mile 12 and Ketu in Lagos. This initiative will help us gain deeper knowledge about our farming profession.
“I pray for the supporting partners like MTN and Huawei that their businesses may continue to thrive. By next year, I hope they will be able to introduce even more support for us,” she said.
Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, stressed that the initiative aims to boost food production by providing farmers with vital digital tools and knowledge.
“At the MTN Foundation, we strongly believe in the power of technology to drive growth, create opportunities, and empower individuals.
The AgriConnect Initiative embodies this belief by leveraging global and local partnerships to provide our farmers with essential tools and resources.
Access to real-time weather forecasts, market prices, and best agricultural practices will not only support informed decision-making but also significantly improve yields and increase farmers’ incomes,” she stated.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, highlighted the importance of technology in enhancing agricultural productivity.
He stated that Ogun State has the potential to lead Nigeria’s food production efforts if irrigation protocols and innovations are fully embraced.
Tijani commended MTN for its partnership in piloting mobile technology tools that improve market access and precision agriculture.
He called on all stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that agriculture becomes a key driver for job creation and economic transformation.
With sincere responses from farmers and the collaborative support of the Ogun State Government, Federal Government, and private sector partners like the MTN Foundation and Huawei, the AgriConnect initiative represents a significant step toward the digital transformation of agriculture in Ogun State and across Nigeria.
