In the war against food insecurity Nigerians are not leaving anything to chance nor are they letting the challenge be for the government alone to handle. This is because even those who cannot go to the farm are also giving support to farmers and others to ensure that the state of emergency declared on food insecurity by President Bola Tinubu last year achieves the set objective. One of such major supports is the use of technology.
Now this surpasses the development of machines and solar generators for use on the field. In the latest case a firm has developed the “CyberAgric App”, which will be used by cash crop farmers like those dealing in cassava and maize production. The application is said to be a cutting-edge mobile app that leverages Artificial Intelligence, AI and it’s believed to be capable of supporting the farmer to detect diseases that have the tendency to destroy the crops.
The diseases include Cassava Brown Streak Disease, CBSD in cassava. This will go a long way to arrest the threat to Nigeria’s leadership position in the production of cassava in the global setting. It will also address the problem of food security and the contribution of agriculture to export, thus boosting efforts at reflating the economy.
Flexify Solutions Limited, the technology firm responsible for the creation of the application, has since launched the ‘CyberAgric App’, for use in the country. This initiative is in recognition of the crucial role of information technology (IT) in modern agricultural practices in ensuring food security.
A statement by Flexify Solutions indicated that “The app’s groundbreaking features include early disease detection, with the capability to identify diseases like Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) in cassava leaves within the first two weeks of infection.” The advantage that the application provides goes beyond early detection of diseases. It also helps to mitigate the damage that could be done in the event that the disease has manifested on the farm.
The statement further stated that by utilising smartphones, farmers can capture images of their crops and receive real-time analysis and recommendations, empowering them to take proactive measures to protect their crops and ensure optimal yields. Now, should the farm be in an environment where there is no Internet coverage or where present, the coverage is hardly responsible, the farmer still has the hope of using the application for the good of his or her venture. This is because the developers of the application say that “CyberAgric is designed to function offline”. Farmers in remote areas, therefore, would not need to entertain fears about the challenges of Internet connectivity.
Johnson Oyeniyi, CEO of Flexify Solutions, emphasised the app’s accessibility and educational value. “Our goal with CyberAgric is to ensure that every Nigerian farmer, regardless of their location or internet access, can benefit from advanced agricultural technology. Beyond disease detection, the app serves as an educational platform, providing farmers with the latest agricultural best practices and expert resources.”
He disclosed that “Flexify Solutions collaborated closely with Cybermate Technologies to tailor CyberAgric to the specific needs of Nigerian farmers.” The firm is not restinon it’s oars. For, according to Oyeniyi, though “The app initially focuses on cassava and maize cultivation,” now, efforts are on to employ “advanced AI-driven disease detection capabilities” to “mitigate the impact of crop diseases and enhance food security in Nigeria.”
Oyeniyi’s Flexify Solutions is a global company specialising in disruptive digital solutions. With a strong focus on innovation, Flexify Solutions excels in crafting AI solutions optimised for mobile platforms and driving transformative change across industries. With a proven track record in mobile app development, Flexify Solutions seamlessly integrates cutting-edge AI technologies to create intelligent solutions that resonate with users and drive success.