AGRICULTURE

 Introduction to the state of current Agricultural practices and the much-needed paradigm shift in the Agricultural sector (data driven and quick facts) 

Chemical- and energy-intensive industrial agriculture has not only harmed the environment and perpetuated social inequity, but it is also causing stagnant yields and declining productivity. As a result, there is an urgent need for ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable farming methods that preserve agroecosystem productivity.

Agriculture is critical to the Nigerian economy; it provides the primary source of income for 80 percent of the rural poor and accounts for more than 20 percent of national GDP (GDP). Despite growing a diverse range of crops, Nigeria is a major importer of food and suffers from malnutrition and food insecurity as a result of low productivity, which is exacerbated by climate change.

Overall, almost the entire GDP of Nigeria, as well as 90 percent of the population and agriculture, may be exposed to at least one climate hazard in the future, necessitating the need for solutions that address the sector’s contribution to climate change, as well as solutions that ensure the sector’s resilience and fosters innovation.

A mini-manifesto stating the reason we want to drive sustainability in this space.

Globally, food systems are essential for the survival of life as we know it, making science, technology, and innovation critical to efforts to transform agri-food systems.

A variety of pressures, including rapid population growth, urbanization, rising wealth, and resulting changes in consumption patterns, are testing our food systems’ ability to provide nutritious food while also contributing to improved livelihood opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. Extreme weather events associated with climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss are both contributing to and being affected by our food systems. Responding to these challenges necessitates a systems-based approach that addresses the breadth and complexities in a holistic and sustainable manner.

Climatr, Inqumax’s sister company, is working to drive sustainability across multiple sectors by providing solutions and services to mitigate the effects of climate change and introducing systems, processes, and innovation to help with this transition.

Our goal of driving systemic change in the agricultural sector is critical to accelerating the sector’s paradigm shift toward climate resilience and sustainability.

•  Problems centred around core themes such as pollution (e.g methane- CH4/CO2, NH4m fertilizer), food systems (e.g regenerative agriculture, food waste across the value chain – production, supply chain, consumption), and water/H2O. 

  Increased crop/livestock losses due to drought, floods, desertification of arable land, crop failure and reduced yield, saltwater intrusion of coastal production, pests and disease, coastal erosion and inundation, and reduced water quality and availability are some of the key climate impacts. 

We are looking for entrepreneurs, students and student groups, and cross-departmental alliances to provide technology-enabled solutions to the following agricultural thematic focus;

• Solutions that address the carbon footprint of the sector; 
• Food security; 
• Food storage; 
• Logistics; 
• Regenerative Agricultural practices; 
• Irrigation solutions and; 
• Sustainable Agriculture. 

Opportunity/Perks 

Selected applicants receive the following support;

• Standard 3 months InquMax incubation and lifetime support; 
• Team development; 
• Product/Service development; 
• Business development; 
• Market development; 
• Legal support; 
• Strategic partnerships and 
• Funding.