Senator Abubakar Kyari, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, says Africa’s battle against food insecurity will be won or lost on how fast the continent adopts climate-smart farming practices.
The Minister made this known at the Road to COP30: Putting African Agricultural Innovation on the Climate Agenda side event of the Africa Food Systems Summit 2025 in Dakar, Senegal. He warns that while agriculture remains central to Africa’s survival and prosperity, the sector is under increasing threat from floods, droughts, and land degradation.
“For Nigeria, climate action is the surest pathway to food sovereignty. For Africa, it is the foundation of resilience and prosperity,” Kyari says.
Kyari highlights the role of young people and women in driving agricultural transformation. He points to Nigeria’s Soilless Farm Lab as a model that combines sustainable food production with empowerment and inclusion.
Nigeria’s Response Under Renewed Hope Agenda
Kyari tied Nigeria’s strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which declared a State of Emergency on Food Security to safeguard the nation’s food sovereignty. He says achieving this goal demands embedding climate action in every aspect of farming — from resilient seeds and soil protection to smarter water use and adoption of clean energy.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s System of Rice Intensification is already proof that climate-smart agriculture delivers results. The approach, he notes, has doubled yields, increased farmer incomes, created over 30,000 jobs, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Other innovations, including solar-powered irrigation, climate-resilient crop varieties, and integrated pasture systems, are also reshaping the country’s food system.
Youth and women at the centre of change
Kyari highlights the role of young people and women in driving agricultural transformation. He points to Nigeria’s Soilless Farm Lab as a model that combines sustainable food production with empowerment and inclusion.
Africa’s Priorities Ahead of COP30
With COP30 scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, the Minister outlines Africa’s key priorities for the global climate talks:
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Securing more climate finance for agriculture
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Stronger technology transfer mechanisms
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Access to carbon credit markets
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Cross-border partnerships to scale innovation
Kyari commended the African Development Bank (AfDB), AGRA, AIM4Scale, the Government of Brazil, CGIAR, Embrapa, FARA, the Gates Foundation, and UAE partners for convening the Dakar dialogue. He described the platform as vital to ensuring African agricultural innovation takes its rightful place on the global climate agenda.
What climate-smart agriculture means for Nigerians
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is about farming methods that increase food production while protecting the environment and making farmers more resilient to climate shocks. For Nigeria, CSA could be the difference between food scarcity and food security.
Here’s what it means in practice:
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Resilient Seeds: Farmers use improved seeds that can withstand droughts, floods, or pests, ensuring harvests even in extreme weather.
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Smarter Water Use: Solar-powered irrigation and water-saving techniques help farmers grow crops all year, not just during the rainy season.
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Soil Protection: Methods such as cover crops and organic fertilisers preserve soil health, preventing land degradation.
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Clean Energy: Switching from petrol or diesel pumps to solar-powered equipment reduces costs and pollution.
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Job Creation: With higher yields and modern farming systems, more opportunities open for youth and women in agribusiness.
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Lower Food Prices: Reduced post-harvest losses and better productivity mean more food in the market at affordable prices.
Why it matters for Nigerians:
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Nigeria loses billions yearly to food waste and crop failure caused by climate change.
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Rising food prices are linked to low yields and poor farming systems.
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CSA ensures more reliable food supply, better nutrition, and higher incomes for farmers.
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