Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade’s experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology and the stock market.
Poultry farmers in Nigeria face numerous challenges, including inadequate access to quality feed, high disease prevalence, limited veterinary services, poor infrastructure, fluctuating market prices and many others.
Mfon Uwa, the founder and CTO of Yiieldy Technologies Ltd., is helping to provide solutions to some of these challenges via basic scientific measures.
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Uwa discusses how addressing these issues is crucial for improving productivity, ensuring food security, and boosting the local economy.
Source: UGC
Uwa who has a rich background in software development and data engineering, has been involved with commercial farming in 2016 and is deeply passionate about agriculture.
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His passion for agriculture has led him to establish Yiieldy, a technology company dedicated to agriculture.
He said:
“We are committed to integrating AI into all our software products. This dedication ensures that our technological advancements align with the needs and challenges of the agricultural sector, promoting sustainability in a meaningful way.”
Uwa and his team developed the Yiieldy Fiidz app to help poultry farmers in Africa optimize scientific methods to boost production efficiently.
He said the app was developed with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by poultry farmers, particularly in Nigeria.
He said:
“I noticed that many farmers in this region need to use basic scientific approaches to farming. How feed is bought and distributed lacks a scientific basis, and most farmers do not keep farm records.
“So, the Yiieldy Fiidz app aims to help poultry farmers reduce their production costs by at least 40 per cent. In addition to cost reduction, the app features AI Staff, which serves as a knowledgeable poultry farming resource.”
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He added that the app can perform tasks and provide insights to help bridge the knowledge gap, which is a crucial step towards ensuring the sustainability and profitability of poultry farming in Nigeria.
Farmers can access the app by logging in to the website or downloading it from the Google Play Store.
Admitting that some farmers might have a little challenge with utilising the app, Uwa notes that there are training videos on YouTube and on the website demonstrating how to use the app.
Additionally, the AI Staff on the app serves as a co-pilot and can guide anyone through all the steps, ensuring they have the support they need.
Speaking on the ability to promote the new app amid many others in Nigeria and transferring the initiative to the rural areas where it is most needed, Uwa says a few strategies have been lined up.
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According to Uwa, Yiieldy Fiidz app’s strategy includes partnering with local communities and engaging agricultural extension workers to help reach out to farmers.
In addition to partnerships, Yiieldy is organising training sessions and workshops to provide farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to use the app effectively.
He added:
“Furthermore, we will set up demonstration farms where the app is in use, allowing farmers to witness its benefits firsthand. We have also offered a 3-month discount code to all farmers who expressed interest before our launch date, emphasizing the importance of their early engagement and encouraging them to try out the app.”
Despite Nigeria’s vast and arable land, it’s unfortunate that it is still unable to provide enough food for its populace and create employment opportunities for the country’s youth via agriculture.
Uwa, however, suggests that farmers need to adopt modern agricultural practices and technologies and that more should be invested in agricultural training and education.
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He said:
“Also, access to finance is crucial. Many small-scale farmers need assistance to access capital to start their agricultural businesses. Providing financial support or facilitating access to loans can help overcome this barrier.”
He added that enhancing market access would increase farmers’ incomes, making agriculture a more attractive career option for young people.
Nigeria faces challenges related to food security and agricultural productivity. Uwa highlights some of the ways in which the government can intervene in resolving these challenges.
He said:
“The primary issues are insecurity and conflict, preventing farmers from returning to their farms. Additionally, addressing low productivity challenges, such as poor market access and post-harvest losses, requires government intervention to provide the necessary infrastructure.”
According to Uwa, by leveraging research-based strategies, farmers can ensure sustainable practices, improve livestock welfare, and meet increasing demand, ultimately leading to higher profitability and a more resilient industry.
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Source: Legit.ng
