The Federal Government of Nigeria has stated that climate-smart agriculture practices are crucial to mitigating the impact of climate change and ensuring resilient food security across Nigeria.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, made this assertion during the Agricultural Insurance train-the-trainer workshop held in Abuja the Federal Capital territory.
Abdullahi highlighted the urgent need for climate risk mitigation solutions to address the growing protection gaps arising from climate change risks such as floods, droughts, pests, and diseases.
“We are witnessing the clear and present existential threats of climate change and its impact on our local food systems.
“It is evident that climate change is real, and it has become inevitable to integrate insurance as a key component of our National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) programme to ensure sustainability and food security.”
The Minister further highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is focused on addressing these challenges through the deployment of climate-smart agriculture, which he described as the only viable means for adapting to climate change.
Abdullahi added that incorporating agricultural insurance into the NAGS-AP programme is essential to mitigating the risks posed by natural perils.
He also pointed out the success of the NAGS-AP programme, which began during the 2023 dry season with the cultivation of wheat, leading to a bountiful harvest.
The workshop aimed at equipping agricultural trainers with the necessary skills to implement climate-smart practices and ensure the resilience of Nigeria’s food security in the face of climate change.
