The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has concluded the pilot phase of its Smart Alternate Irrigation and Drying (SAID) Project, implemented under the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) -led Accelerating Inclusive Green Growth through Agri-based Digital Innovation in West Africa (AGriDI) programme, with funding from the European Union. The close-out meeting, held in Abuja, brought together policymakers, researchers, and development partners to reflect on achievements and chart pathways for scaling digital agricultural solutions in Nigeria and beyond.
Opening the meeting, UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, underscored the importance of sustained public investment in agri-based digital innovation. He called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to consider integrating AGriDI into the 2026 national budget, noting that domestic funding would enhance continuity, ownership, and long-term impact of research-driven agricultural programmes.
He highlighted the relevance of the SAID project to national and sub-national agricultural priorities, particularly in Enugu and Ebonyi States in Nigeria, where the technology was piloted. According to Prof. Ortuanya, strengthening support for initiatives such as AGriDI would accelerate productivity, promote climate resilience, and reduce over-reliance on external donor funding.
Scaling Digital Innovation for Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Organised by the AGROTECH Research Group at UNN, in collaboration with AGriDI, the two-day meeting was held under the theme “From Pilot to Policy: Scaling Smart Alternate Irrigation for Climate-Resilient Food Systems.” Discussions focused on how evidence from pilot projects can inform policy decisions and wider adoption of proven technologies.
Prof. Ortuanya described the close-out not as an endpoint, but as a transition toward expansion. He emphasized that lessons from the SAID pilot provide a strong foundation for replication across Nigeria and other African countries facing similar climate and water-management challenges.
“While the pilot phase has come to an end, the knowledge, tools, and partnerships developed through this project position us well for broader uptake and long-term impact,” he said.
Empowering Rice Farmers Through Technology
Implemented as a third-party project under the AGriDI programme, the SAID initiative focused on digital solutions for dry-season rice production, combining smart irrigation techniques with farmer training and advisory support. Over 300 rice farmers in Enugu and Ebonyi States participated in the pilot, gaining skills that enabled them to maintain production during the dry season and improve yields under changing climatic conditions.
Project Team Leader Prof. Anthonia Achike, from the UNN Department of Agricultural Economics, explained that the project developed a digital application designed to guide farmers on irrigation scheduling and water-efficient practices. Following 15 months of research and field testing, the application demonstrated strong potential to support climate-smart rice farming.
“The results from the pilot are encouraging. The technology works, and the next step is to secure partnerships that will allow us to scale these solutions to reach more farmers,” she said.
Partnerships, Policy, and the Way Forward
Participants at the meeting emphasized the importance of collaboration between research institutions, government agencies, and development partners to ensure sustainability. Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Chairman of the Governing Board of the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), praised the integration of digital tools into agriculture, describing it as critical for addressing food security challenges.
He noted that while technology is essential, broader systemic issues—such as insecurity and access to resources—must also be addressed to unlock the full potential of agricultural innovation.
As AGriDI continues to support the transition of innovations from testing to real-world application, the SAID project stands as a practical example of how research, digital technology, and policy engagement can converge to strengthen inclusive and climate-resilient food systems in Africa.
