Danfodiyo Students Emerge First, Receive 2.5 million Cash Prize

Halima Abdullahi Achida reports,

A team of students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto named Team 'Software Chasers' has emerged 1st place in the recently conducted Agro Tech Hackathon competition hosted by the Microsoft in collaboration with Sterling Bank and TedPrime Hub, Vanguard Press has learnt. 

As gathered by this medium, the program was aimed to award a grant of 2.5 million, 1.5 million and 1 million to first, second and third best teams respectively. The event was held at the Microsoft African Transformation Office, Kings Tower, Ikoyi, Lagos State on the 28th of June, 2022.

The Team Software Chasers is comprised of three students who are all from the Computer Science Department of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The team was led by  Muhammad Auwal Muktar, the current president of the National Association of Computing Students (NACOS) and also a 400 level student while the other two members were: Mudathir M. Salahudeen (Albany), a 400-level student, who was the developer of the team and the Assistant Secretary-General of (NACOS) and Saadu Salihu Abubakar (Sultan), a 300-level student and the Software Director 2 of the association.

According to the organizers, the competition was facilitated to increase employment opportunities and agricultural value chain, digitally accessible to Nigerians, most especially farmers, while aiming at selecting solutions that bolster sustainable and inclusive outlets.

In the race of hundreds of applicants, Team Software Chasers emerged first defeating a pool of contesting teams. For emerging first in the race, the team was awarded 2.5 million cash prize. 

The team's solution which is tagged 'Sell Harvest' is a digital solution that links farmers directly to buyers/consumers. It is an easy-to-use solution that supports local and international languages for easy use and adoption.

"Over 68,000 applicants made submissions for the contest, with 2000 team