Agriconnect Bauchi with Zee Tech Foundation

Project status: Ongoing

Country: Nigeria

Partner: Zee Tech Foundation

Impact goal: 50 farmers

About the project

AgriConnect Bauchi is an inclusive initiative aimed at empowering farmers in Bauchi Local Government with digital literacy skills, access to technology, and smartphones to enhance agricultural productivity and market opportunities. Recognizing that a large number of farmers have never used the internet, the project will provide comprehensive training sessions on basic digital skills and internet usage, in addition to training on utilizing digital platforms and Google Lens for disease detection. By equipping farmers with smartphones and the necessary skills, AgriConnect Bauchi aims to bridge the digital divide, promote inclusion, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.

Results

Digital Literacy Training: 

• Trained 50 farmers on basic digital literacy skills. 
• 85% of participants reported increased confidence in using smartphones and the internet. 

Technology Access: 

• Distributed 50 smartphones to farmers. 
• Provided data packages for internet access. 

Agricultural Productivity: 

• 70% of farmers reported using the internet and mobile phones to identify diseases and browse on how to take care of them. 
• 86% of farmers reported improved access to online resources and information, which will help them achieve productive yields on their farms. 

Inclusivity and Participation: 

• 45% of participants were women, promoting gender inclusivity. 
• Customized training for different digital literacy levels ensured broad participation. 

The project directly benefited 50 farmers. Indirectly, their families, farmworkers, and community members also gained from the project, impacting approximately 200-300 people in total. 

60% of farmers gained better access to online resources and information, enabling them to achieve more productive yields on their farms. 50% of farmers used the internet and mobile phones to identify diseases and find solutions, leading to better crop management. Farmers were trained in basic digital literacy, increasing their confidence and ability to use smartphones and the internet. This training enabled farmers to access vital agricultural information, adopt modern farming techniques, and market their products more efficiently. 

45% of the participants were women, promoting gender equality and ensuring that female farmers also benefited from the training and resources.

The skills and knowledge gained by the farmers have a ripple effect, benefiting the wider community through shared practices and increased agricultural productivity. Improved farming practices can lead to better food security and economic stability within the community.

Changes and challenges

There were no significant changes that occurred during the project. The aims, activities, and beneficiaries remained consistent throughout the implementation period. The project continued to focus on enhancing digital literacy among farmers in Bauchi Local Government, providing smartphones, training on digital platforms, and supporting market access. 

The goals of improving agricultural productivity, promoting digital inclusion, and fostering community empowerment through technology were steadfastly pursued without deviation. This consistency helped ensure that the project's objectives were effectively met according to the outlined plan, with no alterations to the core activities or intended impact on beneficiaries. 

During the implementation of the AgriConnect Bauchi project, one unforeseen challenge that arose was the discovery that many farmers had been victims of online scams, particularly phishing attacks. This revelation prompted the project team to take proactive measures to address this issue. To tackle this challenge after the regular online safety classes we had with them during the project we invited a representative from the Nigerian Data Protection 

Commission to educate the farmers further on how to protect their data and avoid falling prey to online scams. This unexpected development highlighted the critical need not only for digital literacy in terms of basic skills and access to technology but also for awareness about online security and data protection. 

This experience underscores the importance of adapting project activities to respond to realtime challenges faced by beneficiaries. By incorporating additional training on online safety and data protection, the project not only addressed a pressing issue affecting the community but also enhanced the resilience and preparedness of farmers against digital threats.

About the partner

Zee Tech Foundation is a youth-focused NGO that aims to promote digital literacy across under-served urban and rural communities. The organization was founded in 2020, and has since been supporting these under-served communities to harness ICT for learning and development.

Visit Zee Tech Foundation's website here to learn more about them.