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Greenium AgriTech
AgroTell, IoT soil monitoring and hydroponics: tools that help farmers make better decisions and grow more with less.
Information farmers can act on.
Most smallholder farmers in Northern Nigeria decide when to plant, irrigate and apply inputs with little information about their soil, their crops or the weather ahead. Greenium AgriTech works on tools and production methods that close that gap.
Our work covers three areas: the AgroTell platform, IoT soil monitoring and hydroponics. AgroTell and IoT soil monitoring are available. Hydroponics is at an earlier stage, shown below.
Where each project stands.
AgroTell platform
AvailableSatellite field monitoring, weather intelligence, AI-assisted guidance and agricultural services for smallholder farmers, on the web and iPhone. About AgroTell
IoT soil monitoring
AvailableA solar-powered unit with in-ground sensors that sends readings over the mobile network to a dashboard.
Hydroponics
ExploringAssessing hydroponic systems for vegetable production, training and demonstration.
Readings from below the surface.
AvailableA small solar panel powers the unit. Sensors in the root zone take regular readings, and a control box sends them over the mobile network to a dashboard, so farmers can follow soil conditions between laboratory tests.
| Measurement | What it tells the farmer | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Soil moisture | How much water is available to roots, and when to irrigate | % volumetric |
| Soil temperature | Whether conditions suit germination and root growth | °C |
| Soil pH | Acidity or alkalinity, which affects nutrient availability | pH |
| Electrical conductivity | An indicator of dissolved salts and nutrient levels | dS/m |
| Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium | Major nutrient levels, currently measured by laboratory testing | mg/kg |
Growing without soil, with less water.
Exploring
Hydroponics grows plants in a nutrient solution instead of soil. Roots sit in water, in channels or in an inert medium such as coco coir, and take up dissolved nutrients directly. Because water is recirculated instead of draining into the ground, hydroponic systems can use far less water than conventional irrigation for the same crop.
Systems we are assessing
Nutrient film technique. A thin film of nutrient solution flows along shallow channels past the roots. Suited to leafy greens.
Deep water culture. Plants float on rafts with roots in an aerated nutrient tank. Simple to build and maintain.
Drip systems in growing media. Nutrient solution is delivered to each plant in a bag or pot of inert media. Suited to tomatoes and peppers.
What we still need to establish
Water quality requirements, nutrient costs, power for pumps, and which crops give a reliable return in local markets. We will report results from demonstration units when we have them.
Satellite and ground data, together.
AgroTell already gives farmers satellite vegetation (NDVI) and moisture (NDMI) maps of their fields. These show where a crop is struggling, but not why. Soil sensor readings help answer that, and AgroTell brings both together so guidance is based on conditions in each field.
Questions about Greenium AgriTech?
Contact us about AgroTell pilots, soil monitoring trials or hydroponics.