Professor Christopher Akinbile of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA has been rewarded for a the product of his research, which has contributed to the giant leap in the use of technology in farming in Nigeria. The product is an Integrated Digital Soil Moisture and Temperature Device ,christened MOISTEMP. For this the professor of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering has been granted the patent right on the device by the federal government.
This was done by the Chief Registrar, Trademarks, Patents and Designs in the Ministry Of Trade and Investment, Abuja, Stella Ozo Ezenduka. She acted on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
The invention, according to Professor Akinbile, is to take soil moisture and temperature measurement at various depths in-situ and concurrently. This is to facilitate irrigation scheduling and water management planning to achieve food security and attain the SDG goal of ending hunger by 2030. The invention solves the problem associated with lack of soil and moisture data which is responsible for increased rate of seed abortion because of high soil temperature and distorted plant growth and development due to water shortage.
The Chief Registrar of the Patent Office, who signed the Certificate of Patent on March 22,2024, affirms that Akinbile now has the sole use and advantage of the Invention. She also stated that “The Patent Certificate also confers on Akinbile full power, sole privilege, and authority over the invention. The Patentee shall have and enjoy the whole profit and advantage accruing by reason of the said invention.”
She went further to warn those who may want to infringe on the Patentee rights over his invention with “a command to all citizens of Nigeria, that they do not at any time, make use of the invention in any way without the written consent, licence or agreement of the Patentee.”
The drive that led to the development of the device arose because accurate soil temperature and moisture measurement is critical for crop production and cultivation. Also, successful germination of seedlings depends on these two parameters. He gives more insight and relevance of the device, “Inaccurate consideration of these two parameters affect seeds germination, nutrients uptake and root development. Temperature determines the rate of crop development and consequently affects the length of the total growing period of the crop. At higher temperatures, the rate of seed abortion increases while the mid-season stage of crop development is grossly impaired. Crop growth during acute water shortage (drought) results in crop stress which may destroy large hectares of farm crops. Too much water results in flooding which blocks all the soil’s pore spaces and endanger soil aeration for plant development.”
According to Akinbile who is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and fellow of the Nigerian institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE), “The MOISTEMP device makes measurement easier, faster and enables prompt decision-making.
