Urgent and coordinated climate action is essential to mitigate the growing impact of climate change on agriculture and to protect vulnerable smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to Dr. Kayode Sanni of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
Dr. Sanni made this call at the opening of a high-level conference titled “Climate Resilience in Action: Collaborative Approaches to Adaptation,” co-hosted today in Abuja by AATF, Michigan State University (MSU) and Sahel Consulting with the support of the Gates Foundation and the Government of Gombe state.
“As climate change accelerates, its impact on Africa’s agricultural systems is becoming more severe and more personally felt most by smallholder farmers who rely on predictable seasons, fertile soil, and sustainable ecosystems to feed their families and the nation,” Dr. Sanni stated.
He noted that women and youth who constitute the backbone of the continent’s agricultural workforce are disproportionately affected. “They are not only vital to today’s food production but also crucial to the future of food and nutritional security in Africa,” he added.
Dr. Sanni emphasized AATF’s commitment to a resilient and prosperous Africa through innovation. “At AATF, our vision is clear: A prosperous, resilient, food and nutrition secure Africa that is powered by inclusive, scalable technology and strong partnerships. Since the challenges we face are too vast for any single actor to solve alone”.
Highlighting one of the foundation’s collaborative initiatives, he spoke about a current project with Michigan State University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Benue State University, the Government of Gombe State, and the Cereal Growers Association of Kenya. This project focuses on empowering women- and youth-led MSMEs in the rice value chain.
The initiative supports MSMEs with a Climate Smart Decision Support System, equipping them with actionable data on weather, agronomic best practices, and soil health. This enables farmers to make informed decisions, improve productivity, and build resilience to climate shocks. While the current implementation spans three Nigerian states, Dr. Sanni called for broader scaling to amplify impact.
He urged conference participants to be bold in vision and deliberate in execution. “Let us build enduring partnerships, replicate what works, and equip our farmers not just to survive climate change, but to thrive in the face of it.”
Also speaking at the event, the Assistant Professor at Michigan State University and lead on weather station development, Dr. Daniel Uyeh showcased recent technological advancements.
“We have developed an open-source, affordable, and locally manufactured weather station system,” Dr. Uyeh said. “These stations are already delivering hyper-local, real-time forecasts that help farmers in Nigeria and Kenya adapt to changing weather patterns.”
However, he emphasized that while technology is crucial, it must be complemented by strong collaboration and community engagement to effectively address the challenges of climate change.
Also speaking, the Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Prof. Charles Anosike emphasized the importance of investing in modern weather infrastructure.
“More than 60% of weather data in Nigeria is collected manually, often by non-professionals. We must increase our network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) to improve accuracy and reach,” he said.
He called for the deployment of digital tools and mobile-based early warning systems to enhance agricultural productivity and mitigate climate risks.
