INTRODUCTION:

Agriculture has been the most important practice from the very beginning of human evolution. It entails both the cultivation of crops and rearing of livestock for human sustainability. Human fully depends on agricultural produce (food) for survival, but this sector suffers great setback mostly in the developing countries. The greatest alarming issue in agriculture is the increase in the world population to 9.7 billion in the year 2050, which will require increase in the global production of food by 70% as predicted by FAO. 2011.

More so, the regular reduction in the portion of land available for Agriculture is a great threat to the sector. Only a limited portion of the earth’s surface is available for agricultural uses due to various limitations such as climatic and environmental regulations, soil quality and increased population. The total agricultural land available for the production of food has kept reducing in the last few decades. In Nigeria, insecurity challenges are also hindering mass production food, and this has led to high cost of food items. Thus, food security is at stake if the world continues with the current land utilization and crude farming methods. To respond to these demands, the sector needs new innovation-based strategies to deliver more from less land with few labour.

Smart Agriculture (SA) is the general term for describing modern technologies like Internet of Things, sensors, location systems, robots and artificial intelligence that are used to promote large-scale precision Agriculture. Smart Agriculture has been considered as an innovative technological-based solution for promoting large scale and economical agricultural production. It adopts precision agriculture techniques and technologies that aim at improving the efficiency of agriculture to maximize food production, minimize environmental impact and reduce cost.

This webinar is aimed at providing essential technical skills and techniques required for the adoption of smart agriculture. The event will provide a comprehensive examination of the processes of precision agriculture, from the preparation stage through to the farming and post farming stages. The goal is to develop capabilities and capabilities for improved yield, food security and prosperous nation.

Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 | Time: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm | Venue: Online

Specific topics to be discuss at this webinar are:

• • Principles and practices of precision agriculture
  • IoT-based Smart Agriculture for Nation’s Economic Advancement
  • End-to-end technology-based agricultural production management
  • Spectral sensing of crops from space air and ground
  • Machine learning in Agriculture: Techniques and Applications

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• • Agricultural experts and researchers from MDAs
  • Medium and large-scale farmers
  • Directors, managers, and staff of agricultural-based organisations
  • IT professionals
  • Staff and lecturers of agricultural departments in tertiary institutions
  • Agricultural consultants
  • Staff from agricultural institute
  • Technology experts
  • Agricultural project managers
  • Agricultural value chain managers
  • Anyone that is interested in AgriTech
    

CONCLUSION:

Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the umbrella body for all IT practitioners, stakeholders and interest groups in Nigeria, has a major goal of ensuring effective implementation of emerging technologies in all the sectors of the economic. NCS remains committed promoting national growth by providing necessary technical and professional supports for applications of information technology in agriculture

NCS wishes to use encourage everyone that is interested in economic empowerment and food security to attend this webinar. Ministries of agriculture are also expected to also play active role.