Abuja: In a bid to contribute to the Nigerian Government’s drive to boost food security, the Nigerian Navy has embarked on an innovative agricultural initiative to cultivate crops and promote self-sufficiency. The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, disclosed this during the unveiling of Admiralty Integrated Farms Limited (ADIFAL) Coordination Centre and Logo in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ogalla, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), Rear Adm. Ibrahim Dewu, said the occasion marked a significant milestone in their collective effort to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development, which is in line with the President’s directive. The President has emphasized the importance of the Armed Forces engaging actively in farming initiatives. This directive aims to address critical issues such as conflicts between herders and farmers, banditry and kidnapping, and the urgent need to boost food security.
Ogalla commended the management, officers, and men of ADIFAL for their efforts and dedication, urging them to continue with vigor and resolve to meet the goals set before them. He highlighted the importance of civil-military cooperation to foster collaboration and understanding with civilian counterparts, emphasizing that civil-military synergy is crucial in achieving sustainable solutions, particularly in agriculture.
Rear Adm. Julius Nwago, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ADIFAL, noted that food, nutrition, and security are prime goals that governments seek globally. Nwago mentioned that some countries have engaged the military in agriculture to achieve food security. He explained that the farm would adopt a comprehensive precision agriculture model, incorporating AI and ML to maximize yield, reduce waste, and improve decision-making.
Nwago added that ADIFAL has developed the ADIFAL Agro-precision Farming Platform, a centralized digital system that guides farmers in practicing precision agriculture. This platform draws on data from satellites, radar, drones, and live visual/audio feeds to deliver intelligent recommendations throughout the agricultural lifecycle. The platform, housed at the ADIFAL Coordination Centre, features predictive AI models and generative AI tools to provide real-time responses to farmers’ questions during the farming season.