A Partnership between Cosmopolitan University Abuja Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CUA-CCSA), Tamallan Foundation, Iya Foundation, Mariya Foundation, Audu Bako College of Agriculture and Danbatta-Makoda Microfinance Bank Ltd.

1. Background

Agriculture remains a key pillar of food security, livelihoods and economic development, especially in regions vulnerable to climate change. To ensure sustainability and resilience, it is imperative to embrace digital and climate-smart innovations. In this light, the Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CCSA) at Cosmopolitan University, in collaboration with Tamallan Foundation, Iya Foundation and Mariya Foundation, proposes a transformative Certificate Programme in Digital and Climate-Smart Agriculture. This initiative aims to produce a new generation of agripreneurs equipped with cutting-edge skills, practical farming experience and a strong entrepreneurial foundation to lead climate-smart agricultural transformation.

2. Programme Objectives

• Equip participants with practical skills in precision and climate-smart agriculture.
• Introduce and apply emerging technologies (AI, Cloud Computing, Big Data, Blockchain) in agriculture.
• Develop competencies in geographic information systems, remote Sensing, soil chemistry, moisture retention and carbon and nitrogen management.
• Provide practical, hands-on farm experience through concurrent learning and farming practice.
• Facilitate access to production infrastructure and finance for scalable agricultural enterprise development.

3. Programme Structure

The programme will span 12 months, structured in two phases:

Phase 1: Preparation and Mind Change/Reset (1 month) | 1 to 30 August

• Intensive, blended learning model with a focus on both theory and hands-on practice on the following topics.
  • Basic Science
  • Basic Agriculture
  • Sustainable Development Goals
  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management

Phase 2: Training (3 months) | 1st September to 30 November

• Intensive physical training (Lectures, Seminars, Hackathon)
• Participants begin farm practice simultaneously with an intensive physical training.
• Core topics:
  • Foundation
    • Productivity and Workspace tools (Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation, Graphics, Internet, etc)
    • Design Thinking
    • Literature Review
  • Introduction to Climate-Smart Agriculture
  • Precision Agriculture and Emerging Technologies
    • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
    • Cloud Computing in Agriculture
    • Big Data and Analytics for Farming
    • Blockchain for Supply Chain and Traceability
    • IoT, Robotics and Farm Process Automation
  • Soil Chemistry and Moisture Management
  • Carbon and Nitrogen Cycle Management

Phase 3: Paid Internship and Extended Practical Farming (8 months) | 1st December to 31st July 2025

• Participants transition to full-scale farming using the knowledge acquired.
• Training continues online with fortnightly 6-hour in-person seminars for knowledge reinforcement and mentorship.
• Support provided:
  • Students will be grouped into clusters to commence farming during wet and dry seasons.
  • Access to greenhouses, irrigation systems, certified seeds and basic inputs.

4. Post-Training Support

• Access to Capital: Upon successful completion, each participant will be eligible for a loan to scale their farming enterprise.
• Monitoring & Mentorship: Continuous technical support and monitoring to ensure adherence to best practices and business growth.
• Entrepreneurship Focus: Participants are expected to commence as growth-oriented, mid-scale agripreneurs rather than subsistence or smallholder farmers.

5. Target Participants

• Young graduates (NCE, ND, B.Sc., etc.), agricultural extension officers and aspiring agripreneurs with a passion for modern and sustainable farming.
• Selection will prioritise candidates with demonstrable commitment to farming and community impact.

6. Expected Outcomes

• At least 300 trained agripreneurs are annually equipped with both digital and practical agriculture expertise.
• Establishment of climate-resilient agricultural clusters.
• Improved agricultural productivity and sustainability across partner communities.
• Strengthened ecosystem for digital agriculture and agri-financing.

7. Partnership Roles

• Cosmopolitan University (CCSA): Lead curriculum development, training delivery, certification and academic oversight.
• Tamallan, Iya and Mariya Foundations
  • Co-funding support, participant selection, field logistics and community mobilisation.
  • Implementation partner for farm input provision, internship coordination and post-training loan administration.

Overview

This programme explores the application of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and the Internet of Things (IoT), to enhance climate resilience in agriculture. Participants will discover how to harness these technologies to promote sustainable agricultural practices, boost efficiency and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Specifically, the programme will cover the application of predictive analytics, smart sensors and automation in farming to optimise crop yields, reduce waste and enhance decision-making.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the programme, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of AI and machine learning in climate-smart agricultural practices
• Develop skills in AI-driven crop and soil monitoring, predictive analytics, and automation in farming
• Design and implement strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on farming using emerging technologies
• Apply AI-powered solutions across various agricultural platforms, including livestock, crops, poultry, and fishing
• Utilise AI and machine learning to address real-time agricultural challenges
• Develop predictive models for yield estimation and risk assessment
• Enhance farming efficiency through AI-powered automation

Curriculum

1. Introduction to Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Emerging Technologies

2. AI and Machine Learning for Precision Farming and Climate Adaptation

3. IoT and Smart Sensors in Precision Agriculture

4. Sustainable Resource Management and AI-Powered Climate Forecasting

5. Data Analytics for Sustainable Agriculture and Predictive Modelling

6. Case Studies and Field Demonstrations of Emerging Technologies in Agriculture

Pedagogy

• Practical coding sessions for machine learning models
• Real-time AI applications in agriculture
• Group projects on AI-enabled farming solutions
• Case studies on climate-resilient farming
• Hands-on training with AI modelling tools
• Field demonstrations on AI-assisted soil monitoring
• Collaborative learning with experts from research institutes and industry

Target Audience

• Agronomists, environmental scientists, and farmers
• Policymakers in sustainable agriculture and emerging technologies
• AI and data science professionals interested in agritech
• Agricultural researchers and tech innovators
• Agricultural extension agents and educators

Overview

This programme explores the intersection of policy, sustainability, and climate-smart agriculture. Participants will gain knowledge and skills to drive policy change, advocate for sustainable practices, and promote climate-resilient agriculture.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will:

• Analyse the role of policy in shaping sustainable agricultural practices
• Develop advocacy skills for climate-smart agricultural policies at national and global levels
• Understand the ethical considerations in policy-making for sustainable agriculture
• Design and implement policy solutions for climate-resilient agriculture

Curriculum

1. Policy-Making for Sustainable Agriculture

2. Sustainable Agriculture Regulations and Compliance

3. International Policies on Climate Adaptation

4. Ethical Considerations in Agricultural Policy

5. Policy Advocacy for Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Pedagogy

• Policy analysis workshops
• Expert guest lectures on sustainable agriculture
• Group discussions on real-world policy challenges
• Case studies and scenario planning

Target Audience

• Government officials and policymakers
• Agricultural economists and sustainability advocates
• Professionals interested in policy formulation for sustainable agriculture
• Group discussions on real-world policy challenges.

Overview

This programme fosters collaboration between agricultural experts, policymakers, and private-sector stakeholders. Participants will gain knowledge and skills to develop partnerships for climate-resilient agriculture.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

• Understand the importance of partnerships in promoting climate-resilient agriculture
• Develop skills in building and maintaining partnerships for sustainable agriculture
• Analyse the role of private sector stakeholders in promoting climate-resilient agriculture
• Design and implement partnership strategies for climate-resilient agriculture

Curriculum

1. Partnerships for Sustainable Agriculture

2. Public-Private Partnerships in Agri-Tech

3. Global Collaboration in Climate-Smart Agriculture

4. Building and Maintaining Partnerships for Sustainable Agriculture

5. Partnership Strategies for Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Pedagogy

• Cross-sector collaborative workshops
• Networking sessions with industry leaders
• Case studies and group projects
• Expert guest lectures on partnerships for sustainable agriculture

Target Audience

• Agricultural policymakers and researchers
• Private sector companies in agri-tech and agriculture
• International development organisations
• Professionals interested in partnerships for sustainable agriculture

Overview

This programme is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement sustainable agricultural practices across various platforms, including livestock, crops, poultry, and fishing. The programme focuses on maximising value, troubleshooting emerging pests and diseases, and enhancing soil health through agronomic practices and reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the programme, participants will:

• Understand the principles of sustainable agriculture and their application across various agricultural platforms
• Develop skills in maximising value in agricultural production, including efficient use of resources and reduction of waste
• Learn to identify and manage emerging pests and diseases using integrated pest management (IPM) techniques
• Appreciate the importance of soil health and learn strategies for enhancing soil fertility and structure
• Develop knowledge of agronomic practices that promote sustainability, including conservation agriculture and agroforestry

Curriculum

1. Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture

2. Sustainable Livestock Production (dairy farming, beef, cattle and goats)

3. Sustainable Crop Production (wheat, cassava, etc.)

4. Sustainable Poultry and Fishing Practices

5. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Disease Control

6. Soil Health and Agronomic Practices for Sustainability

Pedagogy

• Expert-led workshops and field demonstrations
• Collaborative learning with Research Fellows, Technicians and Research Institutes
• Hands-on training and practical exercises
• Case studies and group discussions
• Short demonstration plots for experiential learning

Target Audience

• Farmers and agricultural extension agents
• Agricultural researchers and academics
• Policymakers and development agencies
• Agricultural entrepreneurs and business owners
• Anyone interested in sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation

Overview

This programme equips participants with essential skills to establish and manage profitable agribusiness ventures, with a strong focus on farm management. Effective farm management is critical to success in agribusiness, as research has shown that lack of knowledge in this area can lead to poor performance and reduced profitability.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

• Learn to develop agribusiness models for different markets
• Understand financial management and funding opportunities
• Explore innovative marketing strategies for agricultural products
• Develop essential farm management skills, including:
• Crop and livestock management
• Farm operations and logistics
• Risk management and mitigation strategies

Curriculum

1. Introduction to Agribusiness Management

2. Financial Planning and Investment in Agribusiness

3. Sustainable Supply Chain Management

4. Marketing and Branding in Agri-Entrepreneurship

5. Farm Management Essentials

6. Case Studies of Successful Agribusiness Ventures

Pedagogy

• Business simulations and case studies
• Expert-led workshops and industry mentorship
• Group projects on innovative agribusiness solutions

Target Audience

• Aspiring agripreneurs and business owners
• Investors and stakeholders in agribusiness
• Development agencies supporting agriculture-based SMEs
• Farm managers and agricultural professionals seeking to improve their business skills