Whenever we talk about technology, we cannot negate the fact that it affects our everyday lives, from our health sectors to our educational systems, to data collection and management and importantly, the agricultural sector which is linked to food production, animal husbandry, weather analytics etc. In recent times the government has been outspoken in encouraging people to seek jobs in agriculture, citing the fact that our reliance on crude oil sales is coming to an end.
Africa is experiencing significant technological advancements in agriculture, with not limited to 10 resilient Agritech startups since 2020, utilizing cutting-edge technologies to boost productivity. These startups are crucial for spreading technology adoption across the continent, including precision farming, aerial mapping, IoT sensors, vertical farming, location intelligence, and agricultural robotics. However, more technology, such as blockchain technology, is needed to fully transform agriculture on the continent.
In Kenya, Land LayBy uses an Ethereum-based shared ledger to keep records of land transactions. Its innovative approach provides a secure, transparent, and scalable environment, revolutionizing traditional systems across various industries. Releaf (Akwa Ibom, Nigeria) another platform founded by Ikenna Nzewi and Uzoma Ayogu in 2017, Releaf focuses on driving development in Nigeria and Africa’s food system using technology.
One of the primary features of agricultural technology that can be maximised using ICP in agriculture is enhanced data management and transparency. A case study is the Agrichainx, in Nigeria, a blockchain agricultural platform, that helps farmers, retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to connect seamlessly and interact with each other. In Kenya also, Hello Tractor uses an AI and blockchain-driven platform to connect African farmers with tractor owners and data analytics for better crop production.
ICP, which is built on the foundation of blockchain technology, offers a decentralized platform for executing smart contracts and hosting applications. Some Dapps are already being developed on the platform that could help revolutionize the agricultural sector, and more can be developed by African based innovators, thereby solving Africa specific agricultural challenges. Here are just two applications already running on ICP that can be leveraged upon;
Built on ICP, NFID embraces the new era of personal empowerment, it is an advanced digital identity that keeps your personal information private and digital assets secure. NFID makes it easy for you to sign in and sign up to websites and apps across the internet without downloading additional software or navigating complicated setups. With the ICP blockchain's immutable ledger, crucial information such as land ownership records, crop yields, and market transactions can be securely recorded and accessed in real-time.
FUNDED
This is a Web3 crowdfunding platform thanks to ICP's low transaction fees and advanced smart contract technology, you can participate in crowdfunding with ICP, BTC and ETH without worrying about losing money on gas fees. Using smart contract technology to build a safer, cheaper and global crowdfunding service.
Farmers, especially smallholders who often lack access to formal banking services, can secure loans using their agricultural assets as collateral, thereby unlocking capital for investment in seeds, equipment, or technology adoption, through similar funding platforms.
Decentralized applications can be built on ICP that can help provide valuable insights into best practices, weather forecasts, pest management strategies, and market trends, empowering farmers to make informed decisions and optimize their productivity. This can come in handy in areas where access to extension services is limited, these digital tools can be transformative, leveling the playing field and increasing their resilience to external challenges.
However, the adoption of ICP in Nigerian agriculture could be challenging. Infrastructure limitations, including unreliable internet connectivity and electricity shortages, pose significant hurdles to widespread implementation. Additionally, concerns regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory frameworks must be addressed to build trust and ensure the integrity of the system. Collaborative efforts involving government agencies, private enterprises, and civil society organizations are essential to overcome these barriers and realize the full potential of ICP in agriculture.
As Nigeria strives to enhance food security, promote economic growth, and empower rural communities, embracing the Internet Computer technology represents a commendable step towards a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural future.