FG Unveils AI Platform to Link Farmers, Researchers, and Markets

News in Brief:

-Nigeria announced an AI platform to connect farmers with researchers and improve access to data, credit, and mechanisation.

-This initiative aims to make agriculture more digital, efficient, and inclusive through real-time data systems.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the Nigeria Agricultural Intelligence Platform (NAIP), an Artificial Intelligence–powered system designed to connect farmers, researchers, and markets.

Developed by the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), the platform seeks to accelerate the adoption of modern farming technologies, expand access to credit, mechanisation, and digital market linkages, as well as enhance data-driven decision-making in agriculture.

At the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the initiative as an economic driver that can boost productivity, create jobs, and improve livelihoods.

Linking Research to the Farmgate

Represented by Dr Yerima Uba, Director of Horticulture, Kyari reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating innovation and technology in agricultural transformation.

He explained that NAIP aligns with both the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises research, innovation, and youth empowerment as drivers of food security and economic growth.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy. To unlock its full potential, we must embrace innovation and technology as pillars for growth,” Kyari stated.

Building a Smart and Inclusive Food System

The Executive Secretary of ARCN, Prof. Abubakar Dabban, highlighted that NAIP, developed by Pixel Solutions, is focused on people (especially youths) and driven by technology.

He noted that through this platform, the Council will establish digital knowledge hubs, deploy AI-powered advisory tools, and promote mechanisation access across the country.

Similarly, Dr Shuaibu Aliyu Madugu, ARCN’s Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, said the platform will serve as a real-time monitoring tool and national agricultural data repository, providing actionable insights for policymakers and extension agents to improve productivity and efficiency.

NAIP marks a strategic shift toward e-extension delivery and evidence-based planning, two long-missing components in Nigeria’s agriculture sector. If effectively implemented, the platform could bridge the long-standing disconnect between research institutes and farmers, reducing yield gaps and promoting smarter farming across all value chains.