Umar Akilu Majeri
The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, is currently conducting pilot projects in two states of the federation in collaboration with two federal universities in the country
This was disclosed by the director-general of the Agency Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi while briefing newsmen in Kano on the activities of the Agency to promote federal government policies on the digital economy.
Kashifu said the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA has signed an agreement with two higher institutions of learning to promote research and application of digital technology in farming to enhance the country’s food security.
He explained that NIDTA is conducting the pilot project in Jigawa state in collaboration with federal university Dutse and also in Ondo state with the University of Akure in Ondo state
He explained that the deploying of Digital Technology into agriculture will make farming easy and a fancy way of business farming attractive to youth, which will also culminate in providing more job opportunities, and strengthening the country’s food security.
Malam Kashifu observed that deploying digital technology will reduce the quantity of water, fertilizer, and labor required, it will also develop the result.
” With the application of digital technology into farming, in one hectare you can get yield higher than that of 10 hectares without similar technology “
He however confirmed that NITDA is establishing IT centers at the communities and institutions of higher learning across the country as well as providing training to youth groups to build the capacity of Nigerians to operate in line with federal government policy on Digital Economy.
Malam Kashifu however explained that NITDA is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to achieve 95 percent digital literacy and 99/percent broad Van coverage by 2030 throughout the country.
