FUTA Professor Christopher Akinbile Secures Federal Government Patent for Soil-Measuring Device
Professor Christopher Akinbile from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has received a federal government patent for his innovative soil-measuring device, MOISTEMP.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In a significant milestone for agricultural innovation, Professor Christopher Akinbile of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has secured a federal government patent for his groundbreaking soil-measuring device, MOISTEMP. The issuance of the Certificate of Registration of Patent by the Trademarks, Patents, and Designs Office under the Ministry of Trade and Investment marks a major achievement for Prof. Akinbile and highlights the government's commitment to promoting inventions for public good.
MOISTEMP, an acronym for Integrated Digital Soil Moisture and Temperature Device, is the brainchild of Prof. Akinbile, who saw the need for a comprehensive solution to address challenges in soil moisture and temperature measurement. The device aims to facilitate irrigation scheduling, water management planning, and ultimately contribute to achieving food security goals, including the Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger by 2030.
Speaking about the invention, Prof. Akinbile emphasized its importance in addressing critical issues affecting crop production, such as seed abortion due to high soil temperature and distorted plant growth from water shortage. MOISTEMP enables real-time measurement of soil moisture and temperature at various depths simultaneously, providing essential data for informed decision-making in agriculture.
The Patent, signed by Chief Registrar Stella Ozo Ezenduka, grants Prof. Akinbile exclusive rights and authority over the invention, emphasizing the importance of respecting the Patentee's rights. The device's unique features, including its portability, integration with Google Sheets for data logging, and GPS functionality, make it a valuable tool for farmers and researchers alike.
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Expressing delight at the achievement, FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, commended Prof. Akinbile's dedication to research and innovation. She described the patent as a testament to FUTA's commitment to addressing societal challenges through research-driven solutions. Prof. Oladiji called for collaboration with relevant institutions to ensure widespread adoption of MOISTEMP for combating food insecurity.
MOISTEMP comprises essential components, including a microcontroller unit, moisture and temperature sensors, real-time module, SD card shield, liquid crystal display (LCD) unit, sensor probe, USB cords, GPS receptor device, and PVC housing. The device's patent underscores the government's support for inventions aimed at serving the public good, in line with the Patents and Designs Act.
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