The change in weather statistics over the years has been manifest in averages, extremes in specific regions, and the Earth as a whole. Climate change is a significant threat to sustainable growth and development in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. Nigeria has experienced irregularities in rainfall patterns and rising temperatures, which present challenges to farmers across the country and affect their livelihoods, food security, and sustainability.
Climate change is a reality affecting Nigeria’s agricultural sector, with small-scale farmers being the most susceptible. However, with the right strategies, Nigerian farmers will survive and thrive in this changing climate. Hence, this article examines practical strategies for adapting Nigerian agriculture to climate change, focusing on crop diversification, water conservation, agroforestry, improved weather forecasting, and community-based adaptation.
Climate change refers to any long-term shift in weather statistics over a period ranging from decades to millions of years. The causes of climate change are both natural and anthropogenic, and they will likely impact ecosystem services, agricultural production, and livelihoods.
Generally, losses in the agricultural sector due to climate change have economy-wide consequences, including a decline in gross domestic product and a reduction in the income and consumption of the most vulnerable population, resulting in a general deterioration in household welfare.
Nigeria’s agricultural sector is a cornerstone of its economy and food security, and climate change has significantly disrupted agricultural productivity in Nigeria, with erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events leading to reduced crop yields, increased pest and disease pressure, and land degradation. Vulnerable crops, such as maize, cassava, and rice, are particularly affected, while livestock production faces challenges, including heat stress and reduced feed availability. The fisheries sector is also impacted, with shrinking water resources and increasing contamination levels threatening livelihoods.
Small-scale farming systems are highly susceptible to climate change and variability because they are predominantly rain-fed and climate-dependent. Over 60% of Nigerians rely on agriculture for their income, and more than 95% of farmers depend on increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Small-scale farmers’ efforts to adapt to the changing climate at the local level are largely unorganized and influenced by a range of factors. This requires a well-integrated and holistic approach to the entire agricultural sector. Therefore, the need for robust adaptation strategies is urgent.
Timi Oke, a food security expert and CEO of AgroEknor, emphasises that climate change is already disrupting Nigeria’s agricultural systems, with flooding, drought, and altered rainfall patterns causing significant food shortages and threatening the livelihoods of millions. He stated that adaptation is not optional and advocates for a potent national adaptation plan, emphasising that smallholder farmers must be empowered with tools, training, and social protection.
Similarly, there is a growing consensus that the world will witness higher temperatures and changing precipitation levels in the coming decades, suggesting the need for practical adaptation strategies for farmers to adopt.
Here are some adaptation strategies:
1. Crop Diversification: This involves reducing dependency on single-crop systems and planting a variety of crops. It reduces the risk of crop failure and helps maintain income and food supply even if one crop is affected by adverse weather or pests. Farmers who diversify their crops are more resilient to climate shocks.
2. Water Conservation Techniques: Another strategy is efficient water management through rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and mulching, which helps conserve soil moisture, reduces water loss, and ensures crops survive during dry spells, droughts, or erratic rainfall.
3. Agroforestry and Soil Management: This involves planting trees alongside crops to enhance soil fertility, mitigate erosion, and generate additional income sources. Integrating trees into farms restores soil fertility, reduces erosion, and improves resistance against climate change. Conservation agriculture practices, such as minimum tillage, cover cropping, and organic fertilisation, improve soil health and resilience to climate shocks.
4. Climate Information Services and Education: Access to accurate weather forecasts and mobile tools enables farmers to plan more effectively and minimise losses. Ongoing climate education, supported by investments in meteorological services, empowers farmers to adopt new practices and respond proactively to climate-related risks.
5. Cooperatives and Access to Support: Joining agricultural cooperatives helps farmers pool resources, access inputs, and share knowledge, making it easier for them to adopt new technologies and access markets. Social protection measures and disaster risk management support rapid recovery from floods and droughts, especially for smallholder farmers.
Climate-smart agriculture programs are being implemented across Nigeria to promote these practices and enhance productivity. Here are some:
1. Strengthening Farmers’ and SMEs’ Resilience through Climate Smart Grain Production and Accessing the Structured Markets (StreFaS): This three-year initiative (2024–2027), led by AGRA, Nestlé, and TechnoServe, is working with 25,000 smallholder farmers and eight aggregators across Kaduna and Nasarawa States. The program focuses on key crops, including maize, soybeans, rice, and sorghum, while promoting regenerative agriculture, healthier soils, reduced emissions, and stronger market access, enabling farmers to earn better prices for their produce.
2. The AgroGreen Climate-Smart Village Program, developed by AgroGreen Dynamics Ltd., is directed at establishing 100 “Climate-Smart Villages” across 18 states in Nigeria. Each village serves as a hub where farmers are trained in regenerative practices such as composting, biochar use, and organic fertilisation. The villages also serve as cooperative clusters, providing farmers with access to shared resources, demonstration farms, and opportunities for women’s and youth participation.
The Nigerian government has also taken steps to promote resilience in agriculture through climate-smart policies and programs:
1. National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan: This strategy is designed to scale up climate-smart farming, which will improve food security, create employment opportunities, and reduce emissions.
2. Climate-Smart Agriculture Support Projects (3N Initiative): Part of the “Nigerians Nourishing Nigerians” programme, introducing farmers to precision farming, efficient irrigation, and organic soil enrichment in states like Niger.
3. State-Level Irrigation Programs: Kwara State has launched solar-powered irrigation systems to combat climate change and boost food production.
Adopting strategies such as crop diversification, agroforestry, and water conservation, supported by climate-smart programs and government initiatives, can help Nigerian farmers withstand the growing threat of climate change. Yet, success requires collective action: farmers, policymakers, the private sector, and development partners must collaborate to build a sustainable agricultural future for Nigeria.
