By Ahmad Saleem
A Chinese agricultural firm has unveiled a new spraying technology that could drastically cut farm labour costs and boost yields for thousands of farmers in Kano State, signalling what experts described as a major step toward modernising Nigeria’s largely manual agricultural sector.
Smartisan Investment Nigeria Limited on Monday demonstrated its new agricultural spraying drones in Kura Local Government Area, showcasing a device that can reportedly replace the work of 40 farm labourers in a single day while reducing chemical use and improving crop coverage.
The firm’s representative, Charles Lee, who has lived in Nigeria for 16 years, said the innovation is designed to help farmers tackle recurring pest infestations, labour shortages, and high production costs.
“With this machine, a farmer can spray 10 hectares in one day. If you delay spraying during a pest attack, the damage can reach 50 percent. This technology ensures timely response and saves farms from major losses,” he said.
Lee explained that the device atomises chemicals into ultra-fine particles of about 10 micrometres, enabling deeper penetration and full coverage of plant leaves, something he said manual methods cannot achieve.
According to him, the system has already delivered results in China, Kenya and Mozambique, increasing harvests by 15 to 20 percent and cutting chemical usage by up to 40 percent due to its precision.
“Hand-spraying wastes a lot of chemical, and much of it doesn’t even reach the right part of the plant. This machine turns it into fog, so it settles evenly and reduces cost while protecting the environment,” he added.
The demonstration attracted farmers, community leaders and cooperative representatives, with Lee apologising for the delayed start of the event, which he attributed to logistics challenges.
The Chairman of the Kura Local Government Farmers’ Association, Usman Abdulmalik Abubakar Matawallen Kura, described the technology as a timely intervention for farmers battling rising input prices and unpredictable pest outbreaks.
“This technology is coming at the right time. Labour is expensive, pests are increasing, and farmers are struggling. Anything that helps us reduce cost and increase yield is welcome,” he said.
He urged government agencies, donor programmes and agricultural institutions to support farmers in accessing the equipment, noting that affordability remains a major concern in rural communities.
“If the machine can really reduce chemical use and boost harvest, the government should step in to make it accessible. Farmers in Kura are ready to embrace technology if it is within reach,” he added.
Reactions from farmers at the event were largely positive.
A rice farmer, Malam Kabiru Sani, said the device could revolutionise farm operations for those cultivating large lands.
“Sometimes it takes two or three days to spray five hectares. By that time pests have already caused damage. If this machine works as shown today, it will save us a lot of loss,” he said.
Another farmer, Hajiya Rabi’u Ibrahim, who grows maize and vegetables, said the reduction in chemical volume offers both economic and health benefits.
“Chemicals are too expensive now. If this machine uses less and still does better work, that is good for us. It also means our food will have less chemical residue,” she said.