Nigeria’s food system is at risk because of climate change. Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather are making it harder for farmers to grow crops and raise animals.
This was the key message shared by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, at a Commonwealth roundtable on climate finance and food security in London.
Climate change is causing serious problems for Nigeria’s agriculture, including:
- Land Loss: Nigeria loses about 351,000 hectares of land to desertification every year, especially in the northern states.
- Flooding: Annual floods destroy over 100,000 hectares of farmland, leaving millions of people without homes or food.
- Water Crisis: More than 40% of Nigeria’s inland water bodies are at risk due to pollution and climate change, reducing fish stocks and affecting fishing communities.
- Lake Chad Shrinkage: The Lake Chad Basin has lost over 90% of its size since the 1960s, making it harder for farmers to get water for irrigation and livestock.
- Rainfall Dependence: More than 95% of Nigerian farmers rely on rainfall, which is now unpredictable, increasing the risk of drought and food shortages.
- Food Imports: Despite its agricultural potential, Nigeria spends over $10 billion annually on food imports.
- Post-Harvest Losses: Over 70% of Nigerians depend on farming, but only 15% of rural areas have electricity, making food storage and processing difficult. This leads to more than 50% of food being wasted.
The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (FMIST) is using science and technology to make Nigeria’s food system more resilient to climate change. Some key initiatives include:
- Climate-Smart Crops: Nigeria is promoting improved crops like Tela Maize and climate-adaptive cotton, which can survive drought, pests, and extreme weather.
- Digital Agriculture: Farmers are using AI-powered tools, automated irrigation, and satellite technology to predict weather patterns, reduce losses, and improve productivity.
- Clean Cooking Solutions: The government is introducing Low Pressurized Compressed Natural Gas (LPCNG) technology to provide cleaner, more affordable cooking energy, reducing the use of firewood and deforestation.
- Climate Finance: Nigeria is working on funding solutions like Green Bonds and Climate Resilience Funds to support these projects.
The Minister called for the creation of a Commonwealth Center for Climate-Smart Agriculture, where countries can share knowledge, transfer technology, and improve food security through innovation.
He also emphasized the need for fair and simple climate finance options to help developing nations fund large-scale adaptation projects.
With the right investments in science, technology, and sustainable farming, Nigeria can overcome the threats of climate change and build a stronger, more secure food system for the future.