Irrigation Farming: NITDA, Cisco Partner to Boost Agricultural Productivity With Smart Solutions
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cisco International aimed at adopting smart solutions to tackle socio-economic challenges in Nigeria, including the adoption of digital technology for irrigation farming.
The MoU, signed at the NITDA headquarters in Abuja, will facilitate the adoption of digital technology for the irrigation of 500,000 farmlands, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to boost food security.
Speaking at the event, the director-general of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, highlighted that the partnership would accelerate the delivery of digital services to Nigerians through smart agriculture, education, health, and other social services.
He emphasized the importance of leveraging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and drones to address critical national issues.
Abdullahi further mentioned that NITDA is collaborating with Cisco to enhance agricultural productivity and food security as directed by the President, with plans to extend the adoption of these technologies to unserved and underserved areas of the country.
During a tour of designated farms in Abuja, Abdullahi stated that Cisco would collaborate with a firm in Maiduguri, Borno state, to establish a learning center for Nigerians on the use of AI, IoT, and other technology solutions to improve businesses.
Clayton Naidoo, the country director of CISCO, expressed optimism about the benefits of the MoU, stating that Nigeria would experience improved agricultural production, job creation, and financial empowerment for its citizens. He highlighted Cisco’s commitment to creating innovation hubs and technology experience centers in Nigeria to enhance security services and business units.
Naidoo further emphasized that Cisco would develop inclusive modules to empower local communities and provide job opportunities in the digital services sector and related industries.
