- 7 November 2023
- Current projects
Project Goal
The aim of this project is to propose an artificial intelligence-based solution to support farmers against the threats posed by climate change.
Project’s summary
Against the background of the worsening change in climate predisposing African farmers to adverse effects of the vagaries of the weather occasioned by their heavy dependence on rain-fed agriculture, the study seeks to propose an AI driven solution to addressing the menace, especially as it affects the women farmers who play prominent roles of production and reproduction in the rural households of sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, the study seeks to espouse existing AI driven solutions to climate related problems, especially, erratic weather conditions faced by women farmers and make data driven policy recommendations on how women farmers can be empowered to best utilize appropriate and responsible AI driven solutions. The project will be of immense benefits to empower women farmers as renowned drivers of rural household socio-economic status and contribute towards attainment of SDG goals promoting gender equality, no poverty and zero hunger (SDGs 5, 1 and 2, respectively).
Project leader’s name Dr Olayinka Jelili Yusuf
The team lead, Dr Olayinka Jelili Yusuf, with a PhD in Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, specializes in Agricultural Technology Transfer, Gender, and Rural Development. He had participated in several gender-based projects, including the Development Partnership in Higher Education (DelPHE project 643) with the theme African Women and Rural Environment (AWARE) sponsored by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom, amongst others. Dr. Yusuf is currently an Associate Professor of Rural Sociology and Extension at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services at Kwara State University, and the Research Lead of the Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (AI4SARD) Research Network. The team is made up of researchers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds whose expertise will jointly put to bear towards accomplishing the project’s objectives.
The other team members
The team is made up of researchers from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds, whose expertise will be used jointly to achieve the project's objectives.
Dr. Khadijat Olanrewaju
also a holder of PhD in Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology with equally same specialization had participated in several gender-based development focused interventions and currently working on the organization of rural women on collective action for development in the outreach stations of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development in Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria, where she works.
Mrs. Martha Alade
has a Masters in IT and Masters in Research and Public Policy. She is a Data Analyst and Gender Responsive AI Advocate and also the founder and Executive Director of Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN). She has vast experience working with rural women for attainment of food security and sustainable agriculture and has won several awards and accolades for her numerous works geared towards empowerment of women. Her recent project WomenPRIDE.Africa won the 2022 UN WSIS Championship and also got a National recognition by the Federal Govt this year. She has been selected as part of the team currently formulating the AI policy for Nigeria.
Dr. Kazeem Dauda
with a PhD in Statistics, specializes in Machine Learning, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and recently completed a post-doc in the Artificial Intelligence LAB at the Indian Statistical Institute in India. Dr. Daud is affiliated with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Kwara State University, and a member of the AI4SARD research network.
Dr. Ronke Babatunde
Elle holds a PhD in Computer Science and specializes in computer vision, pattern recognition, Machine Learning and AI. She is based at the Department of Computer Science Kwara State University and equally among the KWASU team on the AI4FS project.
Mrs. Kemi Afolabi-Yusuf
Elle holds a PhD in Computer Science and specializes in computer vision, pattern recognition, Machine Learning and AI. She is based at the Department of Computer Science Kwara State University and equally among the KWASU team on the AI4FS project.
Dr. Latifat Olatinwo
holds a PhD in Agricultural Extension and specializes in Agricultural Extension, Gender, and Youth studies. She is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Kwara State University.
Dr. Ololade Abdulrahman
also hold a PhD in Agricultural Extension and specialize in Agricultural Extension, Gender, and Youth, and also with Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Kwara State University
Dr. Abdulrahman Ibrahim
with a PhD in French Language and Linguistics, Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy is a bilingual (English-French) with specialization in Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics and International Relations. He is a translator and conference interpreter. He is fluent in spoken English and French and takes several French language and cultural courses in the Department of Arabic and French, KWASU.
Institution’s description
Kwara State University (KWASU) was established in 2009 as a state-owned and funded institution of higher education. The university was founded with the goal of providing high-quality education to students in the Kwara State region of Nigeria, with a focus on innovation and research. The university began with just three faculties – Humanities and Culture, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences – and a small student population. However, it has since grown significantly, expanding to include eight faculties and a number of research institutes and centers.
In the years since its founding, KWASU has made a name for itself as a top-ranked university in Nigeria, with a strong emphasis on research and innovation. The university has received numerous grants and awards for its research projects, and its faculty and students have made significant contributions to their fields. KWASU is committed to providing a high-quality education to its students and preparing them for successful careers. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional development opportunities, to help its students achieve their goals. In addition to its academic programs, KWASU also places a strong emphasis on student life and extracurricular activities. The university offers a variety of social and recreational events throughout the year, as well as a range of student organizations and clubs for students to get involved in.
Overall, KWASU has a rich history of academic excellence and a bright future ahead. We are proud to be a leader in higher education in Nigeria and are dedicated to helping our students succeed.
