Nigeria is ramping up efforts to tackle its persistent agricultural inefficiencies, as billions of naira continue to be lost annually to poor harvest management, post-harvest spoilage and weak farming systems. The situation is worsening under rising food inflation, climate variability and structural bottlenecks in the food supply chain.

In response, the Ibom Innovation Network (IIN) has launched a new artificial intelligence-driven agricultural programme aimed at transforming the country’s farming systems through data, automation and predictive technologies.

The initiative, called Project Transforming Agriculture Through Artificial Intelligence (Project TAT AI), is designed to address two of Nigeria’s most pressing agricultural challenges: labour shortages during harvest periods and high levels of post-harvest losses that result in significant food waste before produce reaches markets.

From traditional farming to data-driven agriculture

Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Uyo, IIN President Hanson Johnson said the country must move away from “farming by chance” toward a system guided by intelligence, automation and real-time data.

He said the project will combine artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering and sensor-based technologies to help farmers predict weather patterns, optimise harvesting and reduce losses.

Focus on harvest efficiency and storage systems

According to Johnson, the initiative targets two critical weak points in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

The first is the harvest stage, where limited access to affordable labour often leads to crops being left in the field past peak value, resulting in major financial losses.

The second is post-harvest storage, where inadequate facilities and poor logistics cause large volumes of food to spoil before reaching consumers.

To address these issues, the project plans to introduce robotic harvesting systems, IoT-enabled storage facilities, climate monitoring tools and AI-based forecasting systems designed to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

“Lab-to-Land” model for real-world impact

Unlike previous digital agriculture pilots that remained at experimental stages, Project TAT AI will adopt a “Lab-to-Land” approach, ensuring that innovations are tested directly on farms before being scaled up.

Johnson said this model is intended to bridge the gap between research and real-world agricultural practice, ensuring technologies are practical, affordable and adaptable to local farming conditions.

Academic and engineering partnerships

The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University, the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Technology Incubation Centre in Uyo.

Experts involved in the project say artificial intelligence, soil mapping, atmospheric modelling and predictive analytics can significantly improve farm productivity and reduce the risk of crop failure.

Professor Uduak Asuquo, Director of the TETFund Centre for Computational Intelligence at the University of Uyo, said AI and IoT tools are now essential for modern agriculture, enabling farmers to make real-time, data-driven decisions.

Engineering innovation for food security

Engineers involved in the project emphasised that the initiative represents a practical application of engineering solutions to real economic and food security challenges.

They highlighted the importance of integrating mechanical systems, automation and sustainability principles to reduce waste and improve agricultural output.

Farmers remain central to the system

Stakeholders also stressed that farmers will remain at the centre of the technology rollout. According to project partners, local knowledge and practical farming experience are essential for ensuring that digital tools are effectively adapted to real agricultural conditions.

Supporting local innovation

The Technology Incubation Centre in Uyo said the initiative will also help protect and commercialise innovations developed by young Nigerian engineers and entrepreneurs, ensuring that intellectual property is preserved while scaling viable solutions.

The first set of innovations under Project TAT AI is expected to be showcased during Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2026 at the Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort later this year.

Organisers say the event will bring together investors, policymakers and agricultural stakeholders to evaluate scalable solutions aimed at reducing food losses and improving productivity across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.