The Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, in Imo State, has flagged off a three-day training programme, themed ‘Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things for Smart Agriculture’ with a view to promote technology, ensure food security and provide environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
Aimed at ensuring easier, more productive and sustainable food security through science (computer) by proper usage of apps, the training programme, which was the first of its kind, with its maiden edition at the University of Port Harcourt, was convened by Dr. Nwamaka Okafor (Principal Investigator) and Prof. Leticia Onyejegbu (Co-investigator) with support from AlumNode-Heidelberg Laureate Forum.
The event was flagged off by the polytechnic’s Deputy Rector, Dr. Friday Ibeaja.
Speaking through Prof Onyejegbu, Dr Okafor said that the participants would be equipped with the relevant skills to leverage innovative technologies to drive agricultural advancements.
She said that the essence of involving mostly girls from the Agricultural Management and Computer Science departments was to quickly advance the technology and its benefits to the country.
She said, “By focusing on young female students, this initiative is not only fostering technical skills but also addressing the gender disparity in STEM fields, empowering these students to become innovators and leaders in the field, driving progress within their communities and beyond.”
She also said that the training was designed to equip participants with essential skills for developing end-to-end IoT applications, adding that it covered the use of IoT sensors, and Raspberry Pi devices alongside their integration with wireless sensor networks to facilitate the collection, curation and effective data use in smart agriculture.
She said, “Through this programme, over 100 students will receive practical hands-on training in building and deploying innovative AI-enabled IoT solutions for smart agriculture.”
Describing smart agriculture as successful agriculture, Okafor stated that women were primarily called for the programme owing to their productive nature.
Flagging it off, the Rector, Dr. Basilia Igbokwe, through Dr. Ibeaja thanked the conveners of the programme and advised the participating students to avail themselves of the opportunities and judiciously make use of what they would acquire from the three-day academic exercise.
Fielding questions from South-East PUNCH correspondent, a student participant, Miss Echezena Okoye, of the Department of Agricultural Extension Management, stated that the programme had equipped them more in successful agricultural exercise.
She said, “It has made the participants suffer less and gain more in the field of successful/smart agriculture. When we put together all the applications we were taught, we can stay at home and successfully monitor what is going on in our farms. We can produce more and gain more by this technology in agriculture.”
Adding her voice, Miss Rita Ononiwu from the Department of Computer Science congratulated the organizers and thanked them for considering the involvement of women in effective and successful agriculture in the country.
She said, “I am happy, I am studying Computer Science. With this programme, I know now that I can diversify my computer knowledge in other productive aspects of life apart from the already known conventional ones. I thank Dr. Nwamaka Okafor for this initiative and for bringing it closer to us at the Polytechnic.”
The programme played host to many academic dignitaries, including former Deputy Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Obasi Oko, Engr. Benjamin Agwa, Sir Alphonsus Ohia and Chief Steve Igwe, among numerous others.
-Punchng
