MWFAAN, a non-profit organization comprising over 500 distinguished young Nigerians who have completed the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship program, is committed to fostering positive change and advancing leadership development. Dedicated to empowering youth and driving impactful initiatives across Nigeria, MWFAAN spearheads the AgriTech Hackathon. This initiative is targeted to harnesses the potential of digital technology to address critical challenges faced by Nigeria’s agricultural sector. By bringing together talented minds and fostering innovation, the hackathon aims to develop practical solutions that enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable farming practices, and empower rural communities.
Problem Statement:
Nigeria faces a multitude of food security challenges, including climate change effects, low farm productivity, pest and diseases affecting plants and animals, poor adoption of modern agricultural practices, food wastage and loss, poor transportation network for farm products and problems with middle men in the food distribution chain. These issues affect the nutrition, health and economic well-being of the nation. Traditional agricultural strategies often lack the technological advancements necessary to effectively address these complex challenges.
Target Audience:
University undergraduates with interest in or are:
Software developers
Data scientists
Agricultural experts/enthusiasts
Entrepreneurs
Students and academia
What we look out for
The Agri Hackathon will provide a platform for young Nigerians to leverage their coding skills, problem solving and creativity aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural sector in Nigeria to drive sustainable development in the country and beyond. We anticipate a diverse range of solutions addressing various aspects of agricultural challenges, participants will form teams and compete to develop solution not including but not limited to:
- Crop monitoring and management systems
- Soil health and fertility assessment tools
- Supply chain optimization solutions
- Climate-smart farming techniques
- Market access and farmer empowerment platforms
Teams:
Participants will form teams of up to four members, bringing together multidisciplinary expertise to tackle the challenges presented. Teams will have the flexibility to self-organize or join forces during the event.
Prizes:
Prizes will be awarded based on the quality, originality and impact of solutions developed during the hackathon. Prizes may include:
Overall winner: Cash prize $1500 or equivalent
Runner-up teams: 1st Runner up team, Cash prizes $1000 Second Runner up team $500
or sponsored incubation opportunities
Special category prizes: Cash Prize $400 Recognition for solutions addressing specific challenges or demonstrating exceptional creativity.
Hackathon Shortlist Requirement:
Applicants will register as individuals or teams during the hackathon.
Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Individuals with prior experience in coding, programming, and software development are encouraged to apply.
A basic understanding of environmental issues in Nigeria is beneficial.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to submit a brief portfolio showcasing their technical skills and relevant past projects (if any).
Applications
Closed Date 5th October