Climate-Smart Agriculture Key to Food Security, Economic Growth – Kyari

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has said that adopting climate-smart approaches will not only boost food production but also enhance economic growth and transform Africa’s agricultural ecosystem.

Speaking at a COP30 side event during the Africa Food Systems Summit 2025 in Dakar, Senegal, the minister emphasized that Nigeria’s food system requires climate-smart strategies such as resilient seeds, soil protection, water management, and clean energy use.

Kyari highlighted ongoing innovations in the sector, including solar-powered irrigation, climate-resilient crop varieties, and integrated pasture systems, as practical examples of how technology can strengthen resilience.

He also cited Nigeria’s progress with the System of Rice Intensification, which, according to him, has doubled yields, raised farmer incomes, created over 30,000 jobs, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The minister further stressed the importance of youth and women in agricultural transformation, pointing to initiatives such as Nigeria’s Soilless Farm Lab, which integrates sustainable food production with empowerment opportunities.

Kyari outlined Africa’s priorities for agricultural development, including increased climate finance, stronger technology transfer, access to carbon credit markets, and robust partnerships to scale up innovations.

He commended development partners including the African Development Bank (AfDB), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), AIM4Scale, the Government of Brazil, CGIAR, Embrapa, FARA, the Gates Foundation, and stakeholders from the United Arab Emirates for providing platforms to drive agricultural dialogue and action.