Soil Science Institute develop agric mobile app for farmers in South East

Nsukka (Enugu State) July 7,2022 (NAN) The Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) has developed an Agro app that will make farming easier and enhance food production.

Prof Charles Asadu, Coordinator of NISS in South East made the disclosure at a training organised by the Institute to train farmers and extension workers in South East on the use of Agro app.

Asadu said that the mobile app known as NISSAGRO Mobile Application was available for download in Google Play App Store.

The coordinator said that the App would help and guide farmers, extension agents and others on how best to improve soil quality that would boost food production.

“The development of the App by the institute is in line with the mandate of the institute in regulating the profession of soil science in Nigeria.

 “The ultimate purpose is to promote sustainable agricultural production systems that will not degrade the soil while ensuring high and sustainable food production to stem food insecurity in the country.

“NISS primary purpose of the App is to promote registered  soil scientists’ service and engage farmers, extension workers, researchers, Agro-dealers and other stakeholders on good agricultural practices,” he said.

According to him, the app provides technology needed for improving soil and food production in each locality in Nigeria.

“Any person or group who is interested in the information/data needed to improve our soil, increased and sustainable agricultural production will benefit from the app,” he said.

Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) commended the institute for the development of the app.

He said the app would provide knowledge, services and tools that would help improve productivity.

” I commend NISS leadership for providing farmers with knowledge, service and tools that would help them improve productivity.

“This app will also equip  farmers in modern ways of farming as well as make agriculture easier for them,” he said.

Igwe, who was former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture in the UNN expressed  special appreciation to Asadu for always training and retraining farmers in the zone.

“I commend Asadu in a special way, who in spite of the ongoing nationwide strike in public universities, have continued to train and retrain farmers and extension workers.

“With this mobile application, farmers and extension agents are now well positioned to source and access information using modern technology,” he said.

Mr Augustine Agbakoba, a computer analyst and a resources person at NISS headquarters Abuja,  who taught participants on how to operate the app, said the application was created to help farmers have adequate knowledge of soil and its functions.

According to him, the app was designed in a such a way that farmers can get information about crops in Nigeria, its efficiency and deficiency.

“The app can help farmers and extension agents to discuss issues and challenges and get solution from the app.

“Farmers can check farm inventories and weather conditions that will help them in making decisions,” he said.

He explained that, participants who  who were from  five states in the South East Zone were trained on how to download, install and operate the app from their Android phones, as well as how to share and source information from it. (NAN)