The Nigerian Navy has unveiled an innovative agricultural programme designed to promote self-sufficiency through precision farming and military-led agribusiness.
The project, under the banner of Admiralty Integrated Farms Limited (ADIFAL), was formally launched on Wednesday in Abuja with the commissioning of its Coordination Centre and official logo.
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who was represented by Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), described the initiative as a “significant milestone” that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s call for the Armed Forces to actively support national agricultural goals.
“The President has emphasised the importance of the Armed Forces engaging actively in farming initiatives,” Ogalla noted, adding that the Navy’s agricultural drive aims to combat pressing national issues such as herder-farmer conflicts, banditry, kidnapping, and the overarching need to strengthen food production systems.
He praised naval personnel for embracing the challenge with “dedication and patriotism,” highlighting the broader benefits of civil-military cooperation.
In his words: “Our interactions should be fair, respectful and rooted in the shared goal of national development.
“Civil-military synergy is crucial in achieving sustainable solutions, especially in areas such as agriculture where the benefits extend across all facets of society.”
Ogalla urged the ADIFAL team to maintain their momentum, saying their efforts would not only boost food output but also foster peace and stability across the country.
Speaking on the technical vision of the initiative, Rear Admiral Julius Nwago, Managing Director and CEO of ADIFAL, explained that the project leverages cutting-edge technology to achieve maximum efficiency
“Food, nutrition, and security are prime objectives for any nation.
“And globally, engaging the military in agriculture is one strategy several countries have adopted to attain these goals,” Nwago said.
He said ADIFAL is adopting a precision agriculture model—a data-driven approach that integrates the entire farming process from land preparation and crop selection to planting, nurturing, harvesting, storage, and processing.
To support this, the farm has developed the ADIFAL Agro-precision Farming Platform—a centralized digital hub that supports participating farmers through each stage of cultivation.
“The platform draws on data from satellites, radar, drones, and live visual/audio feeds to deliver intelligent recommendations across the agricultural lifecycle,” Nwago stated.
He added that the system’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tools provide predictive and generative support, allowing farmers to get real-time responses to questions and issues encountered during the farming season.
The platform, housed within the ADIFAL Coordination Centre, stands as the technological centerpiece of the project and underscores the Navy’s commitment to modern, sustainable farming practices.
