By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Patrick Erinoso
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) to implement a Smart Brooding System (SBS) programme.
Under the initiative, 50 FUNAAB students were trained to raise day-old broiler chicks for a period of six to eight weeks using advanced solar-powered technology.
Speaking at the brief ceremony, the Director, Centre for Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS), Prof. Sunday Adigbo, stated that the programme was supported by NITDA, under the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Abuja.
He said that the students have been trained to use solar power technology to brood the chicks, making them self-sufficient in managing the system for six to eight weeks.
According to him, the solar-powered system generates heat, and students could control and regulate the temperature within the pen using a mobile app, accessible from anywhere in the world.
Additionally, a CCTV camera has been installed in the pen house, ensuring safety and security, the Director noted.
Commenting on the Smart Brooding System, the Chief Agricultural Officer of COBFAS, Mrs. Olubukola Fasae stressed that the system represented a significant departure from the traditional use of charcoal for generating heat.
She observed that the solar-powered system allowed students to regulate the temperature remotely via the app, enhancing their knowledge and skills in poultry management.
In her appreciation to the University Management, one of the students, Miss Elizabeth Sodelola of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Farm Management (AE&FM), who doubled as the Deputy Coordinator of the programme, expressed her gratitude to the University Administration for providing this valuable opportunity.
Key attendees at the event included the Deputy Director, COBFAS, Dr. Shakirat Ibrahim; Deputy Director, Farms, Mr. Fashina Olugbenga, and other staff members of COBFAS.
Meanwhile, the Centre’s 8-hectare maize farm, located adjacent to the College of Entrepreneurial and Development Studies (COLENDS), is expected to be ready by September 2024.
