Femi Adekoya, widely known as The Flying Farmer, is part of a new wave of agriculturists in Africa who are changing the way we think about farming. Femi’s journey started with a childhood love for farming, and over the years, backed by his background in horticulture, he’s become one of the go-to voices for precision agriculture in Africa.

Through his company, Integrated Aerial Precision, and the training-focused Precision Field Academy, he’s helping farmers use tools like drones, AI, and data to farm more efficiently and sustainably. What makes him stand out is his hands-on approach, working directly with farmers, training young people, and pushing for solutions that work in the real world.

In this Intellery Spotlight, Femi talks about where it all began, what drives his work, and what the future of farming in Africa could look like if we get it right.

My name is Femi Adekoya, and people mostly know me as the Flying Farmer. I’m the Founder and Managing Director of Integrated Aerial Precision, where we provide precision agriculture solutions using technology. We utilize drones and data analytics to help farmers grow smarter, better, and more sustainably.

Agriculture has always been my passion. It started from a simple but powerful realization that when you plant a single seed of maize, in a few weeks, it multiplies into hundreds. I got involved in agricultural clubs in school and led young farmers' groups

I went on to study horticulture at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and I graduated with a first-class degree as the best graduating student. But even while in school, I wasn’t just studying, I was farming, selling produce, and building a reputation. People started calling me “Femi Farmer” on campus. That drive to put knowledge into practice has always been part of me.

Over time, I also became deeply interested in technology, because I realized quickly that planting a seed doesn't always guarantee a good harvest. There are so many variables, and technology is a huge part of solving that problem. So that passion for both agriculture and tech, led me to where I am today.

Like I mentioned, I’ve always been curious, not just about farming for farming’s sake, but about how things work in agriculture. At first, I thought it was as simple as planting one maize seed and expecting a hundred in return. But, I realized it’s not that straightforward. There are so many challenges like pests, diseases, poor soil health, inconsistent rainfall, and the outcomes aren’t always guaranteed.

That realization opened my eyes to the need for something more. I began to see technology as that “missing variable” in the equation. I started asking questions: How can we farm more efficiently? How can we reduce waste, increase yield, and actually make this thing sustainable? That’s where precision agriculture came in for me.

While studying, I experimented with different technologies. Drip irrigation, for instance, I was actually the first person to try it on my campus farm back then. Later on, I got a Commonwealth Scholarship to do my Master’s in the UK, focusing on Integrated Pest Management. And while I was there, I got exposed to drone technology. I started learning everything I could, investing in myself, building capacity, because I could see how drones, AI, IoT… all these tools could transform the way we farm, especially here in Africa.

When I came back to Nigeria, I knew I didn’t just want to talk about it, I wanted to do something. That’s how I started integrating these technologies into real agricultural practice, using data to solve real problems for farmers. 

Yeah, so precision agriculture is really just about farming with intention. It’s about being more accurate with how we use our resources. It means understanding that not every part of a farm is the same, and treating each part based on what it needs. That’s what we mean by “managing variability.”

For example, instead of just spraying the whole field or applying fertilizer everywhere, precision agriculture helps you know where exactly it’s needed. You save money, reduce waste, and get better results.

It’s not just about the technology, it’s about using data, using insights, to make smarter decisions. And that’s so important here in Nigeria where resources are tight, and climate issues are real. With this approach, farmers can grow more with less, and that’s the kind of farming we need now.

Technologies like drones, AI and remote sensing, have changed the game completely. For me, drones are not just gadgets; they’re tools in the hands of the farmer. They help us see the field from a different perspective. We can use them to map out the land, detect changes in plant health, check soil moisture, and even count plant populations amongst many other use cases. Things that would take days or weeks manually, we can now do in minutes, and with far greater accuracy.

AI then takes it further. It helps us process all that data, spot patterns, and make smart recommendations. For example, we can identify pest hotspots before the damage becomes obvious, or know which parts of the farm need more attention. That’s powerful, because in agriculture, timing is everything.

One exciting project we’re currently doing is in partnership with the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. We’re using drones and AI tech to support maize farmers by mapping fields, identifying low plant population areas, and even using drones to apply crop care products such as pesticides, fertilisers e.t.c precisely where they’re needed. It’s helping farmers reduce cost, improve speed and efficiency, avoid waste, and most importantly, improve their yield. These are the kind of solutions that move the needle, on farms and yield results.

So one thing we’ve been very intentional about is not just using technology for the sake of it, but applying it in ways that are practical and make a real impact for the average farmer.

One of the things I’m really proud of is how we’re using drones for early-stage crop monitoring, especially plant population analysis. For example, with maize, we use high-resolution drone images and AI to count how many plants actually germinated in a field. You’d be surprised how many farmers think they’ve got 50,000 plants per hectare, but they’re actually at 40,000 or less. That’s already a yield loss, right from the beginning. So, we help them catch that early so that they can replant or at least manage inputs better.

Another one is pest and disease detection. We use multispectral to pick up stress signs in the crop, even before the human eye can see them. That way, farmers can apply crop protection products early and more precisely, instead of doing guesswork or blanket spraying.

And then we’ve also deployed drone spraying services like targeted application of fertilizer or crop protection chemicals. It saves time, reduces labour stress, and ensures the crop gets exactly what it needs, where it needs it.

Honestly, I think we’re on the edge of something really big. The way tractors once changed farming decades ago, I see AI and drone technology doing the same, but even faster and on a bigger scale.

Right now, these tools still feel new to a lot of farmers, and I understand that. But in the next 5–10 years, I believe drones and AI will become part of everyday farming life. I see a future where it's normal for a smallholder farmer in Kaduna or Kisumu to have access to drone services or AI-driven insights on when to plant, what’s wrong with their crops, or how much input to apply, all based on real-time data.

What excites me the most is what the technology unlocks. It creates more informed farmers, higher yields, less waste, and even new jobs. We’ll have young people who fly drones, work with AI, and still understand what farming really looks like. And they’re right there in the community, and helping them make better decisions that actually work on the ground.

We’ll move from guesswork to precision, from reactive farming to proactive farming. That’s a powerful shift. And for me, the dream is to see these tools in the hands of young Africans, where they’re not just using them, but building, improving, and owning the technology. That’s the real transformation I’m looking forward to.

Precision Field Academy is a channel to drive the bigger vision. I see it as a way to raise and train the next generation of tech-savvy, agriculture-minded youth. Young people who aren’t just passionate about farming, but who can also use tools like drones, AI, and data to solve real problems.

At the academy, we focus on three key things: education and knowledge sharing, hands-on training and skills development, and then mentorship & coaching. Because this space is still new, it's uncharted territory for many, and young people need more than just theory. They need guidance, real exposure, and support.

We’ve trained over 10,000 people and produced more than 200 certified drone pilots already, and we’re still growing. 

Yes, the challenges are real. I mean, just like when mobile phones first came out, they were very expensive. It’s the same thing with this kind of technology. We’re the ones taking on the high costs, doing the heavy lifting to prove that it actually works.

First, access to funding is a big challenge. We need innovative financing. We need support that recognizes the long-term impact of what we’re doing. Then there’s regulation. We’re using drone technology, something that was traditionally seen as a military device, and now we’re applying it in farming, which is a very open, public space. So, we’re navigating tight restrictions; and yes, we are making huge progress with regulators.

Another key area is talent. We need people locally who understand the tech and the context. So, we’ve had to invest heavily in training. Now, the government should create an environment that makes it easier for young innovators to access funds. If you’re saying youth and innovation matter, then put money behind that. Fund the research, support the entrepreneurs and give room for innovation to breathe. And when it comes to regulation, yes, there’s a need for safety and structure. But it shouldn’t stifle growth. We need policies that see drones not as threats, but as tools. And beyond that, ministries like The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy should step in boldly, not just to talk, but to partner, to give real access, and to connect these solutions to the farmers who need them. 

Honestly, even outside work, I’m still around the same three things: education, practice, and advocacy. That’s where you’ll always find me. I enjoy teaching, sharing knowledge, and speaking up for youth, especially when it comes to innovation and agriculture. I believe young people should be at the centre of shaping the future, not just watching from the sidelines. So, whether it’s through the academy, mentoring, or just conversations like this, I’m always thinking about how to move things forward. It’s not just work, it’s what I care about.

You can check out Femi's company website here: https://www.iaprecision.com/