Farmers and cooperatives in Imo State have received a major boost in digital capacity as the European Union, through the DIGISOL Project, hosted a training workshop aimed at enhancing climate resilience and agricultural productivity through digital financial solutions.
The one-day training, held at the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, brought together key stakeholders across the agricultural sector, including representatives from Ogun and Kwara states.
However, the initiative is part of a broader EU-backed effort to equip rural farmers in Nigeria with the tools to thrive in an increasingly digital and climate-challenged world.
Declaring the workshop open, Prof. Christopher Eze, Vice-Chancellor of UAES and Project Manager, described the training as a timely intervention that aligns with national priorities on food security and digital transformation.
“By adopting digital financial solutions, farmers will not only be able to make informed financial decisions but also access services that can significantly improve their agricultural output, even in the face of climate stress,” said Prof. Eze, a Professor of Agricultural Economics.
He acknowledged the EU’s support and commended the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma for its strategic investment in the university, which continues to strengthen UAES’s capacity to lead transformative agricultural initiatives.
Chinasaokwu Onyemauwa, the National Coordinator of the DIGISOL Project, emphasized the importance of empowering farmers to adapt to climate change through technology.
He noted that the training was the third in a series designed to support rural livelihoods and enhance food security.
“This initiative is grounded in our project theme: Promoting Digital Solutions for Farmers in Remote Communities to Adapt to Climate Change. Our goal is to develop systems that not only promote productivity but ensure sustainability and inclusion,” Onyemauwa stated.
Participants were trained by industry experts including Mr. Johnson Bayengunhi (MTN MoMo), Mr. Izuchukwu Onuofinba (Moniepoint), and Mr. Bassey Michael Emmanuel (OPAY), who delivered practical sessions on integrating digital financial platforms into farming operations.
The workshop also saw participation from other project partner institutions Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta reinforcing a cross-state collaboration for digital agricultural transformation in Nigeria.
As the DIGISOL Project gains momentum, organizers say more interventions will be rolled out to deepen digital inclusion and resilience among Nigerian farmers, particularly in remote and underserved communities.
