By Safia Abdulrahman
Agrify, an NGO in partnership with the Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF), has introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered agricultural tool and distributed biochar to farmers in Zuma Community, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to enhance agricultural productivity.
The initiative was introduced in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Environment Day with targeted farmers and community leaders.
It focu6s on promoting sustainable agricultural practices and environmental sustainability.
Mr Ayodele Erinle, Founder of Agrify, said the platform, “Agrify AI,” was designed to address the challenge of poor traceability in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Erinle said that inadequate information on the sources and production processes of food products hampered efforts to trace farming practices and promote accountability throughout the agricultural value chain.
“The Agrify AI application allows farmers to input details such as crop type, location and receive tailored advice and recommendations for farming practices.
” It also entails the appropriate usage of biochar and other soil-enhancing inputs,” he said.
According to him, farmers could also ask questions through the platform and obtain practical guidance aimed at improving crop yields and farm management.
“The technology will also help document farming activities and enable farmers to submit photographs and reports showing conditions before and after the use of recommended inputs,”he said.
Erinle noted that the platform would also promote low-cost farming solutions by recommending locally sourced organic fertilisers made from agricultural waste and reducing dependence on expensive farm inputs.
He said the project was aimed at improving food production and household welfare, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that farming families were better nourished and able to support their children’s education.
“When farmers succeed, families become more food secure and children can remain in school,” he said.
He further explained that the programme was initially designed to work with 100 farmers but attracted participation from more people than anticipated.
He, however, added that farmers with smartphones were given priority for enrolment on the Agrify AI application, which provides digital agronomic support and recommendations to facilitate effective monitoring.
“We wanted farmers who could interact with the application because monitoring is an important part of the pilot phase.
“Through the app, we can track usage, engagement and outcomes,” he said.
Erinle added that farmers selected for the digital component received hands-on training on how to use the application to capture farm data and access recommendations aimed at improving productivity.
Also, Ms Keren Samari, the TCF Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, said farmers without smartphones were not excluded from the programme as they received sensitisation on proper fertiliser application and the use of farming tools.
“We ensured that everyone who attended this exercise benefited from the programme in one way or another.
“Those who were not selected for the app-based monitoring still received guidance and support,” she said.
She added that this phase would enable them to assess the effectiveness of combining AI-powered advisory services with agricultural inputs before expanding the initiative to other communities.
“We wanted farmers who could interact with the application because monitoring is an important part of it.
“Through the app, we can track usage, engagement and outcomes,” she said.
Mr Ezra Iyah, Chief of Zuma, who was represented by Peter Saidu, a community farmer, while expressing appreciation to the organisations, assured them of the community’s continued support to boost agricultural activities.
A beneficiary, Mrs Godiya James, a farmer from Zuma Community, identified inadequate fertiliser, limited access to quality seeds, insufficient agrochemicals and lack of finance as challenges affecting farmers.
She described the intervention as timely and beneficial.
According to her, many farmers rely on seeds saved from previous harvests because they cannot afford improved varieties.
“This type of support is highly welcome. We need quality seedlings, fertilisers and financial assistance to improve production and support farm labour,” she said.
Similarly, another farmer, Allahyayi Musa, while expressing appreciation to Agrify said the introduction to innovative technologies would help improve farming outcomes, especially maize production.
Musa, who has seven hectares of farmland, said the support came at a crucial time as some parts of the farmland were no longer as productive as they used to be.
“The fertiliser will go a long way in helping us, especially for maize production. We appreciate Agrify and Tabitha Cumi Foundation for their support,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that biochar fertiliser, an organic soil amendment known for improving soil nutrient retention and water-holding capacity, was distributed to the farmers.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
