The Digital Farmer

The Digital Farmer

I walked into his Uyo office, on a warm Tuesday afternoon, a little ahead of schedule to keep an appointment for a chat to know him better. A sonorous and resonant voice of a radio presenter, full of energy and passion filled the office and captured my attention:‘’…a training will be given to some on farm … management solutions. So we will turn out farm…solution specialists. We have soft wares and security solutions that can manage farms and change agriculture into an enviable venture…. This is E-Commerce Crew on Planet Radio 101.1 fm Uyo; my name is Nsikak Usoro’’. My host, Mr Nsikak Usoro, who is in his late thirties was live on air training Nigerian youths and the general public on the new focus that is taking agriculture to an enviable height – digital agriculture.

Who is Nsikak Usoro?
Mr Nsikak Usoro is a young successful agricultural entrepreneur, a computer scientist, a graduate of the University of Calabar, an e-commerce consultant, a radio programme presenter, a born horticulturist; an indigene of Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He is the state facilitator of Dream to Destination Project and has a training outfit, Untteligs Nigeria Enterprise which focuses on Information technology training, enterprise education, and Farms. The enterprise with a farm of its own, is involved both in actual agricultural production and in training.

Involvement in Commercial Agriculture
Mr Nsikak Usoro is a born horticulturist who embraced flower propagation from childhood. However, his entry into commercial agriculture took place a few years back when he came back to the state in response to a call by the state government for computer scientists to come home and support an IT project aimed at linking the thirty-one(31) local government areas of Akwa Ibom State to the web.

He came back for IT services but picked interest in commercial fishery and pepper cultivation at the end of his participation in Integrated Farmers’ Scheme of the Akwa Ibom State government, Batch 6. He has participated in and benefitted from a number of agro training programmes since then and these include National Directorate of Employment (NDE) training, 300 Unemployed Graduates Training by Mobil Producing Nigeria, and also had hands-on experience in the University of Uyo Farms. He is the proud owner of Untteligs farm which focuses on fishery and fish processing.

Enthusiastic Agricultural Entrepreneur
High and self-sustaining returns brought about by the application of new technology in agriculture keeps him fulfilled, optimistic and excited about agriculture. Before the last administration in the state, most Akwa Ibomites viewed agriculture as the vocation of the underprivileged and untaught but now, according to Mr Usoro, there has been a re-orientation. The immediate past government coined the expression ‘Digital Farmers’, a legacy to the nation, and drummed it into the citizens of the state that where there is a change of attitude, many things change and one consequently, can change the nation.

Even as change of attitude is needed in the fight against corruption in the country, same is needed in agriculture. There must be a complete paradigm shift from traditional agricultural practices and mentality to technologically driven agriculture in all areas of farming – production, processing, marketing, and utilization.

For every agricultural activity, there is a better way that eliminates drudgery and a digital farmer, instead of abhorring farming explores such opportunity through mechanization, use of improved seeds, fertilizer application, and efficient farm management.

Dream to Destination Project, great Opportunity for Nigerian Youths
Nigerians have dreams but most business dreams simply end up in the cooler -unfulfilled. Dream to Destination Project International is an initiative, a non-governmental intervention working with entrepreneurs to ensure that their business dreams come to reality. They offer trainings on Enterprise Education in Agriculture, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agriculture, Mentorship and the Development of Entrepreneurs, Business Plan Writing among others.

They also provide information on current sources of funds for agribusiness and in partnership with Aquila-Track Nigeria are providing soft wares on farm management solutions to graduates and young school leavers. This is a new technology coming into the country which will enhance farm management consultancy services.

Technology increases agricultural output on a geometric progression and consequently guarantees upsurge in marginal profit and returns on agro investment. Discover and embrace new technological approach to agriculture and become a part of Nigerian youths who have realized that agriculture can be both exciting and lucrative. Be a farmer, be digital!