The European Union (EU), through its space agency ESA, has announced plans to partner with Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to launch a satellite-based agricultural project aimed at strengthening food security across the country.
The initiative known as the Innovative Agriculture or Copernicus project is scheduled for launch before January 2026.
According to the EU’s Programme Manager for Agriculture in Nigeria and West Africa, Hugh Briggs, the project will use satellite data and digital tools to help farmers better understand their soil conditions, crop suitability, and planting timelines.
“We have a new project called Innovative Agriculture, also known as Copernicus; it involves the European Union signing a contract with ESA to work directly with NASRDA because they have the technical capabilities,” Briggs said.
While ESA will provide the technical expertise, NASRDA will oversee local implementation, focusing on smallholder farmers across Nigeria.
Briggs noted that the project is in its final preparatory stages and will begin no later than January 2026.
The EU is funding the project, which will involve capacity-building, field technology deployment, and the establishment of a modern tech hub at NASRDA to drive innovation in precision agriculture.
A component of the rollout will be the training of young people in rural communities.
These individuals will support the field implementation of the programme and be taught skills in soil testing, satellite mapping, and digital agricultural applications.
“NASRDA will also identify and recruit young people within communities, train them in innovative agriculture, provide them with tools, and teach them different applications,” Briggs said.
Demonstration farms will be established in seven ecological zones across Nigeria to serve as pilot sites.
These farms will be equipped with precision agriculture tools and act as learning centres for local farmers and extension workers.
Satellite data gathered from these farms will inform agricultural decision-making and policy development.
“The second aspect is that we are looking at setting up a state-of-the-art tech centre, like a hub in NASRDA, as part of the project. It will be a training centre with modern equipment,” Briggs added.
