Empowering Nigerian Farmers through IoT and the 2023 YouthADAPT Challenge
Background
Green Eden Farms, based in Jos State, Nigeria, is transforming smallholder farming by integrating innovative technology to combat climate change and enhance food security. Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation, the company provides climate-smart agricultural solutions tailored to the needs of local farmers. At the heart of its efforts is the Scaregrow technology, a groundbreaking system enabling farmers to optimize crop productivity, safeguard their livelihoods, and adapt to climate-related challenges.
The Innovation: Scaregrow Technology
Scaregrow technology is a holistic platform combining three critical components:
- Sensor Technology: Deployed in fields, sensors collect real-time data on key crop health indicators such as humidity, soil moisture, temperature, and salinity.
- Data Analytics: This data is analyzed through AI-driven algorithms hosted on Green Eden’s cloud infrastructure, transforming raw information into actionable insights.
- Mobile App Interface: Farmers use the Scaregrow App to monitor farm conditions, visualize data trends, and receive recommendations, including irrigation schedules and alerts for potential risks.
By integrating these components, Scaregrow empowers farmers to make data-driven decisions, resulting in improved yields, resource efficiency, and resilience against unpredictable climatic conditions.
Stephanie’s Leadership and Vision
Green Eden Farms is co-founded by Stephanie, a trailblazing entrepreneur committed to sustainable farming practices. As one of eight winners of the 2023 YouthADAPT Challenge, Stephanie has championed the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies (4IRT) to support climate adaptation in agriculture.
The YouthADAPT Challenge, an initiative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), is designed to nurture youth-led enterprises addressing climate adaptation challenges. Supported by the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF), the 2023 program emphasized female-owned businesses deploying advanced technologies for transformative impact.
Key Outcomes from YouthADAPT Challenge Participation
Stephanie’s participation in the YouthADAPT Challenge has accelerated Green Eden Farms’ growth trajectory through:
- Expert Mentorship: Guidance from industry and technology experts helped refine Green Eden’s business model and identify improvement areas, such as enhancing data quality and protecting intellectual property.
- Resource Access: The program provided tools and resources to strengthen the scalability and functionality of the Scaregrow technology.
- Visibility and Partnerships: Enhanced exposure led to strategic partnerships, amplifying Green Eden’s reach and impact.
Additionally, a gap analysis revealed crucial adjustments needed for broader market deployment, ensuring that the technology remains farmer-centric and effective in varying conditions.
Ongoing Impact and Future Vision
Through pilot projects and active engagement with local communities, Green Eden Farms maintains a continuous feedback loop to refine the Scaregrow system. Farmers have reported significant improvements in productivity and efficiency, with the App’s user-friendly design fostering widespread adoption.
Stephanie envisions a resilient agricultural sector in Nigeria, where smallholder farmers can thrive despite climate challenges. With continued support from YouthADAPT and other partners, Green Eden Farms is poised to scale its operations, expand its reach, and contribute meaningfully to food security and sustainable development.
Green Eden Farms exemplifies the power of innovation in addressing climate change while fostering socio-economic development. With support from the 2023 YouthADAPT Challenge, the company has solidified its position as a leader in climate-smart agriculture, empowering Nigerian farmers with cutting-edge tools and knowledge to secure their livelihoods and contribute to national food security.
To learn more about Green Eden Farms, visit https://greeneden.com.ng/
