By Chisom Michael
Nigeria faces an increasingly severe food crisis, with projections estimating that over 33.1 million people will experience food insecurity in 2025. Experts assert that the country must move beyond traditional farming methods and harness the power of data and technology to ensure food security for its growing population.
A Call for Intelligent Agriculture
Olaoye Anthony Somide, CEO of CipherSense AI, a Lagos-based data and artificial intelligence company, emphasizes the vital role of modern technology in transforming agriculture:
“Farming in Nigeria is becoming increasingly unpredictable. We need intelligence, not guesswork.”
Once celebrated for its agricultural strength, Nigeria’s farming sector is now under considerable strain. Climate shocks, a burgeoning population, declining yields, and infrastructural challenges have pushed millions toward hunger. Smallholder farmers, who produce over 80% of the nation’s food, often lack access to finance, data, and modern tools, resulting in rising food prices and heightened reliance on costly imports.
The Global Promise of AI in Agriculture
Around the world, AI and data-driven tools are revolutionizing farming practices. These technologies offer real-time insights on soil health, weather patterns, crop conditions, and pest threats—empowering farmers to act swiftly and effectively.
Somide highlights the urgency:
“In Nigeria, where farmers operate on slim margins and face harsh climate realities, AI is no longer a luxury but a necessity.”
Introducing CropSense: Nigeria’s Localized AI Platform
CipherSense AI is pioneering a new platform called CropSense, designed specifically for Nigerian farmers. Using AI, satellite imagery, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, CropSense provides live farm updates, including soil fertility reports, irrigation and fertilizer recommendations, crop health monitoring from space, harvest predictions, and personalized advice via a generative AI chatbot.
Early trials across Nigeria have reported yield increases between 60% and 70%, a remarkable turnaround amidst a backdrop of shrinking farm outputs nationwide. The platform’s models are trained on African soil and weather data, making them highly relevant and reliable for local farmers.
Somide explains:
“What makes CropSense distinct is its localized intelligence. This ensures the technology isn’t just advanced but also truly useful for Nigerian farmers.”
A Path Toward Food Security
Somide believes Nigeria’s path to food security hinges on adopting data-driven, modern agricultural practices rooted in African realities.
“To solve food insecurity at scale, we need systems rooted in African realities and powered by world-class innovation. With data, we can make every hectare count,” he asserts.
Call to Action
CipherSense AI calls on the government, private sector, and development agencies to collaborate and expand the adoption of tools like CropSense.
“This isn’t just about building a product,” Somide emphasizes. “It’s about creating a future where no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.”
Chisom Michael is a data analyst and writer at BusinessDay, specializing in audience engagement and data-driven content. He holds a BSc in Industrial Physics and an MEng in Computer Science and Technology.
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