IBM, Techplus team up to address agricultural challenges with hackathon

As part of efforts to address food security in Africa through technology, IBM in collaboration with the organizers of #TechPlus2016 is set to host programmers, developers to the first of its kind three-fold hackathon event focused on Africa’s agricultural sector.

Tagged ‘Hack-Pitch-Code’, the event will bring together computer programmers, developers and hackers to deliver technologically driven novel solutions to agricultural challenges in Africa during the conference.

The code festival is targeted at both students and non-students who will be expected to creatively crack a given brief utilizing new technologies that will debut at #TechPlus2016. The solutions are expected to capture challenges of agricultural production, processing, promotion and distribution in Africa. Developers will be hosted at the IBM Innovation Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, creating a conducive environment for teams to come up with forward-thinking and creative solutions for agricultural production, processing, promotion and distribution.

Talented teams will present their solutions and designs to professional coders and key industry partners who will assess their viability. Winning groups will be awarded a sum of #1million in form of scholarship or funding. Selected finalists will also receive training and mentorship, job opportunities, business and idea structuring and other valuable resources.
The jury is composed of key ICT personnel such as Helen Anatogu, CEO iDEA; Chinenye Mba-Nzoukwu, CEO Infographics; Pelumi Adeniran, CEO HTS; Tobi Oke, Intel; Karthik Noornie, CIO Olam Group and Rodney Williams, Founder LISNR.

The hackathon event will present the African agricultural realities and challenges to participants, assist in team formation, brainstorming, concept design and development, validating and prototyping. The final phase will see development of pitch ideas, presentation and award ceremony. Interested persons and groups can register at www.techplus.com.ng/hackathon.