By Ezeaja Ikemefuna
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said that using Climate Smart methods will help increase food production, grow the economy, and improve farming systems.
He said this at a side event during the COP30 conference at the Africa Food Systems Summit 2025, held recently in Dakar, Senegal.
Sen. Kyari explained that Nigeria’s food system needs Climate Smart methods like using strong seeds, protecting the soil, managing water well, and using clean energy.
The Minister shared some progress made in Nigeria, like using solar-powered irrigation, growing crops that can handle climate changes, and better ways to manage pasture land. These show how new ideas can help farming become stronger.
He also talked about the System of Rice Intensification in Nigeria. This method has doubled rice harvests, helped farmers earn more money, created over 30,000 jobs, and lowered harmful gas emissions.
Kyari mentioned the important role of young people in changing farming. He gave the example of the Soilless Farm Lab in Nigeria, which uses smart farming techniques and helps young people and women get involved.
He pointed out Africa’s main needs in farming: more money for climate-friendly farming, better sharing of technology, easier access to carbon credit markets, and strong partnerships to grow new ideas.
Finally, he praised the work of many organizations and countries, like the African Development Bank, AGRA, the Government of Brazil, the Gates Foundation, and others, for creating a space where people can talk and work together on these issues.
