Agricultural experts have once again called for increased cooperation, tangible interventions, and enhanced education for farmers to assist smallholder farmers in adopting contemporary technologies and better managing the climate risks that currently jeopardize food supply across the continent. These experts made their comments during an online discussion held on Thursday, which attracted nearly one hundred African farmers and agricultural stakeholders who shared their experiences and sought advice on how to improve their farm productivity. The participants cautioned that Africa is warming at a rate exceeding the global average, leading to frequent droughts and floods that could potentially decrease crop yields by as much as twenty percent by the year 2050. The experts emphasized that digital innovations, environmental solutions, and modern financial strategies are crucial for building resilience within the system.
The webinar, jointly arranged by DIniti8tive X Agropedia, featured six specialized presenters, including Munir Ahmed, Project Coordinator at the Islamic Development Bank and IITA; Ronke Adeniyi, Programme Manager at Nigeria’s Environmental & Resource Centre; Chief Bassey Archibong, CEO of Agropedia; Dr. Fidelis Ekom, Managing Partner; and Dr. Rufus Idris, Country Director of AGRA. The discussion centered on the theme, “Climate Risks & Food Security in Africa – Leveraging Innovation for Resilient Food Systems.” The panel also underscored the necessity for collaboration across different sectors, stronger infrastructure, and supportive government policies to minimize financial losses and fundamentally change food systems.
In her keynote speech, Ogheneovo Ugbebor, whose address was delivered by Nkemjika Onuoha of Ikore International, highlighted the urgent need for practical solutions and deeper collaboration involving researchers, private sector leaders, local communities, and institutions. She pointed out that it is anticipated that twenty-one point one million Nigerians will experience severe food shortages, prompting her to urge stakeholders to take decisive action toward establishing sustainable and fair food systems. Munir Ahmed revealed that over seventy thousand smallholder farmers in Northern Nigeria are already grappling with challenges related to climate change. He advocated for implementable policies, high-quality agricultural research, and better synergy among experts to draw investment across the entire agricultural value chain. He stated that no single entity can achieve this alone and insisted that the outcome of this conference must be to follow through on their discussions by providing genuine solutions.
Dr. Rufus Idris noted that climate risks are costing Nigeria an estimated N10.3 billion annually, and he advised farmers to adopt seeds that are resistant to climate change. He also stressed the importance of guidance from both soil scientists and irrigation specialists to help farmers maximize soil nutrients and enhance the quality of their crops. The experts further called for improvements to rural infrastructure and the creation of efficient distribution networks to lower post-harvest losses and improve access to markets. They also argued for changes in policy to eliminate obstacles to the adoption of climate-smart farming methods. According to the panel, climate change costs the entire continent of Africa between nine and ten billion dollars annually, and twenty-six point five million Nigerians are projected to face food insecurity in 2025 unless immediate interventions are implemented. The speakers recommended utilizing world-class research institutions to develop practical, immediate solutions that are customized to local circumstances. They identified water harvesting and the widespread use of drought-resistant crops as essential strategies for managing the effects of climate change in regions that are particularly vulnerable.
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