Stakeholders in seven states have approved wider use of Sentinel XS after pilot tests in Kaduna showed near-zero Fall Armyworm infestation and increased yields.
The endorsement came during a 2-day hybrid validation workshop held in Kaduna State, convened by the Kaduna Agricultural Development Agency (KADA) in collaboration with NISSCORP, Sentinel XS’s in-country provider.
The event brought together authorities and farmers from Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Jigawa, as well as regulators, researchers, banks, insurance companies, cooperatives, and development partners.
Sentinel XS is developed by Informiton and deployed by NISSCORP.
Sentinel XS is a photonic, non-chemical system which uses the sun’s near-infrared spectrum to stimulate crops to naturally repel pests like Fall Armyworm.
It requires no chemicals, GMOs, or new farm equipment. Farmers pay a single seasonal subscription instead of 3-4 rounds of pesticide and fertiliser spraying.
Data presented from Kaduna pilot farms showed near-zero Fall Armyworm infestation; measurable gains in crop performance and yield; lower input costs for pesticides, fertilisers, equipment and labour; reduced chemical exposure and residues in food.
Declaring the workshop open, KADA General Manager, Mallam Muhammed Rili, said the initiative aligns with Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani’s agenda on food security, climate-smart agriculture and farmer prosperity.
Speaking for the Kaduna State Government, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mallam Murtala Mohammed Dabo, urged stakeholders to adopt practical and affordable solutions that cut production risks and boost livelihoods.
NISSCORP President, Kingsley Obaji, and Country Manager, Igo Ogbu, pitched Sentinel XS as a safer, more affordable alternative that can make Nigerian produce more competitive globally by cutting chemical residues.
Stakeholders are already committed to the project. State ADPs like KNARDA’s Dr Farouk Kurawa and reps from Zamfara, Kebbi, Plateau states welcomed deployment in their states and urged adoption to meet global organic standards.
Representatives of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mohammed Kabir and other groups, cited rising chemical costs and called for transparent subscriptions and farmer-group involvement.
Representatives of financial institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), asked for bankable models, credible farmer databases and measurable indicators to fund scale-up.
Participants at the workshop, however, called for independent technical assessment by research and regulatory bodies, mass farmer sensitisation and stronger extension support.
In his closing remarks, Mallam Rili called for further nationwide validation and stronger collaboration among government, research, finance, insurance, and private-sector players to drive commercial adoption.
The workshop ended with a joint commitment to support the evaluation, financing and commercialisation needed to integrate Sentinel XS into Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.