Nigeria Seeks Global Partnerships for Climate-Smart Agriculture

The Federal Government of Nigeria is actively pursuing global partnerships to enhance climate-smart agriculture, as articulated by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, the head of the Department of Information. This initiative was highlighted during the Nigeria-United Kingdom Investment Forum held in London, where Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, underscored Nigeria's agricultural potential.

He noted the country's diverse agro-ecological zones and competitive agricultural products, which contribute significantly to the economy, employing nearly 70% of the labor force and accounting for 24% of the GDP. However, Nigeria faces critical challenges due to climate change, including prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, flooding, and desertification, which threaten agricultural productivity and food security.

The government emphasizes the urgent need to transition to climate-resilient agriculture, acknowledging a significant financing gap that currently hampers investment levels. The deployment of climate-smart technologies across the agricultural value chain is deemed essential, with public financing being crucial to unlocking the necessary investments.