FG unveils new agrifood investment plan for climate-smart farming
FG unveils new agrifood investment plan for climate-smart farming
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has launched a new agrifood investment plan to target climate-smart farming as part of efforts to boost food production, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs for farmers.
The minister made this known in a statement released on Sunday, and recalled that “In 2022, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, previously known as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, established a partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations through the Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies Programme.
“This collaboration has enabled FAO to conduct extensive policy analyses, which have significantly informed Nigeria’s agricultural policymaking.”
He said that Nigeria is spearheading a national initiative to create a climate-resilient, nature-positive food system that is in line with various national policies.
Current strategies include distributing improved seeds, promoting sustainable soil management, increasing food production, and expanding agroforestry.
He stated that “the National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan aims to enhance agricultural investments, boost agrifood production, create jobs, alleviate poverty, and make healthy diets more affordable.
“At the same time, it seeks to lower greenhouse gas emissions from agrifood production and promote reforestation.”
The minister revealed that Nigeria’s forthcoming nationally determined contributions aim to align climate commitments with inclusive agricultural transformation.
Key priorities include: scaling climate-smart agriculture for crops and horticulture, restoring degraded lands through sustainable practices, promoting regenerative agriculture and agroecology, and empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, with essential resources.
Kyari added that “building on these priorities, Nigeria has advanced its National Adaptation Plan which integrates adaptation priorities into agriculture, water, health, and infrastructure, with a strong focus on community-led solutions and ecosystem-based approaches.”
He pointed out that “Nigeria is positioning itself under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, creating enabling policies and market mechanisms for carbon trading and results-based finance.
“By leveraging carbon credits from climate-smart agriculture, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration, Nigeria aims to attract additional investment while supporting smallholder farmers.”
The minister mentioned the development partnership projects enhancing the sector’s resilience include; The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone programme, The Value Chain Development Programme, The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, and The National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro Pockets.
Kyari acknowledged that additional funding is crucial to develop climate-resilient crops and implement sustainable agricultural practices, addressing the significant challenges posed by climate change and ensuring food security for all nations.
The minister called “all stakeholders to action to fulfil our strategic mandates.
“Let all nations commit to coherent national strategies that align climate objectives with agricultural development, backed by catalytic finance and policy reform.
“Let international financial institutions: IFAD, FAO, GEF, and others scale up concessional and blended finances, share risk, and support scalable, high-impact programmes that reach smallholder farmers and rural communities.”
He appreciated the technical support from FAO and IFAD through the Global Environment Facility’s Food Systems Integrated Programme.
“This global programme is not only supporting us in Nigeria but also connecting countries to share knowledge, experiences, and innovations. Such collaboration is vital as we work collectively to transform food systems for sustainability, resilience, and inclusiveness,” Kyari said
Nigeria’s agriculture sector is the largest employer of labour, providing livelihoods for more than 35 per cent of the population and contributing roughly 23 per cent of GDP.
However, the sector faces persistent challenges, including low yields, limited access to credit, high post-harvest losses, and rising vulnerability to climate change.
In recent years, the government has intensified efforts to modernise the sector by promoting mechanisation, irrigation, and improved seed varieties. Global initiatives such as the Paris Agreement, the UN Food Systems Summit, and COP28 have also increased pressure on countries to align food production systems with climate goals.
