Aerial insights combined with soil mapping provide a holistic view of farmland, from extent and accessibility to soil fertility and input needs.
September 16th, 2025
At Nigeria Flying Labs, we believe that technology should be accessible to every farmer. Small- and medium-scale farmers in Nigeria are often constrained by inaccurate land records, rising input costs, and limited access to soil data. This leads to guesswork in farm management, affecting both productivity and profitability.
In partnership with AgroXchange, we recently completed a project at a 13-hectare farm in Oko Oba, Mamu, Nigeria, where we applied drones, GIS, and soil science to bring precision agriculture within reach.
The first step was to establish clear farm boundaries. Using Survey123, our team collected accurate boundary points around the 13-hectare farm. These were digitised and processed into a georeferenced boundary map. For the farmer, this means a verifiable record of the land, which reduces the risk of disputes and provides a reliable foundation for long-term farm planning.
We then turned our attention to the soil—the foundation of productivity. A total of 12 soil samples were collected across the farm in a systematic grid. Each sample was analysed in the laboratory to measure pH, organic matter, and nutrient content, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The results provided a clear picture of soil health across the farm.
Soil results were spatially interpolated and visualised using ArcGIS, creating an interactive soil map. This digital platform allowed the farmer to view nutrient distribution across the land, making it easy to identify which parts of the farm required more fertiliser and which areas needed less.
By applying fertilisers only where needed, the farmer reduces costs, avoids soil degradation, and increases the chance of better yields.
The benefits were immediate and tangible:
While the soil analysis project gave the farmer deep insights into soil health, we also demonstrated how drones can add further value. For another farm owner, we conducted a drone survey to map the full extent of their land, capturing details of the road network and forest density before and after clearing.
These aerial insights are powerful when combined with soil mapping. Together, they provide a holistic view of the farm—from land extent and accessibility to soil fertility and input needs. This integrated approach enables smarter farm planning, efficient land preparation, and evidence-based investment decisions.
As we scale these solutions, our goal is to make precision agriculture a reality for more farmers across Nigeria. By combining GIS, drones, and soil science, Nigeria Flying Labs and AgroXchange are supporting data-driven farming that enhances productivity, mitigates risk, and fosters resilience in food systems.
