ADO-ODO/OTA — In a major boost to regional food security and agricultural modernization, 311 smallholder farmers in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have completed hands-on training in digital farm management, AI crop diagnostics, and micro-insurance solutions.
Organized by agritech startup Crop Cura in partnership with input provider Dizengoff and Casava Insurance, the workshop held at the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Secretariat exceeded its initial target of 200 participants due to high local demand.
Conducted primarily in Yoruba to ensure full inclusivity, the training addressed critical gaps in modern farming techniques. Field experts from Dizengoff guided farmers on precise fertilizer application, soil health management, and crop protection strategies to maximize seasonal yields. Concurrently, Casava Insurance introduced agricultural insurance plans tailored to shield local farmers against weather-induced crop failures and financial losses.
A major highlight of the event was the introduction of Crop Cura’s AI-powered mobile tool, demonstrated by Dr. Soetan Olatunbosun. The tool enables farmers to scan crops with smartphone cameras to detect health issues early and receive real-time advisory services.
“Digital record-keeping—tracking everything from acreage and input costs to final sales—helps smallholders build verifiable financial profiles to access credit,” noted Dr. Olatunbosun, emphasizing that AI tools are designed to complement, not replace, physical extension services.
The workshop concluded with a practical onboarding session led by Mrs. Ebelechukwu Uvietesivwi, where farmers downloaded and navigated the Crop Cura app on their Android devices, supported by local extension officers and stakeholders including the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) and the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP).
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