The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has emphasized that proactive policies in Nigeria’s agricultural sector are key to unlocking sustainable food systems that safeguard the climate, restore soils and ecosystems, boost production, and secure dignified livelihoods for farmers.
The Minister made this known at the High-Level Event “Unlocking Sustainable Agrifood Systems for Climate, Nature, and Livelihoods” during the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) Forum of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Rome, Italy.
How Women Farmers in Adamawa Are Leading Nigeria’s CSA Revolution
Kyari recalled that in 2022, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security entered into a strategic partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through the Monitoring and Analyzing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) Programme.
This collaboration, he noted, has provided extensive policy analyses that have significantly shaped Nigeria’s agricultural policymaking.
According to him, Nigeria is spearheading a national initiative to build a climate-resilient, nature-positive food system in line with its national policies.
Ongoing strategies include distributing improved seeds, promoting sustainable soil management, expanding agroforestry, and scaling up food production.
CDA BUK Trains Women Farmers on Climate-Smart Agriculture
The Minister highlighted the National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan (NASIP), designed to boost agricultural investments, create jobs, alleviate poverty, and improve access to affordable, healthy diets, while simultaneously cutting greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging reforestation.
Looking ahead, Kyari explained that Nigeria’s forthcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) will align the country’s climate commitments with inclusive agricultural transformation. Key priorities include:
Scaling climate-smart agriculture for crops and horticulture.
Restoring degraded lands through sustainable practices.
Promoting regenerative agriculture and agroecology.
Empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, with critical resources.
He further revealed that Nigeria has advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to integrate agricultural, water, health, and infrastructure priorities with a strong focus on community-led and ecosystem-based solutions.
On climate finance, Kyari noted that Nigeria is positioning itself under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, establishing enabling policies and market mechanisms for carbon trading and results-based financing.
By leveraging carbon credits from climate-smart agriculture, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration, Nigeria aims to attract investment while supporting smallholder farmers.
He also highlighted ongoing development projects strengthening the sector’s resilience, including:
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme.
The Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).
The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND).
The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
The National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro Pockets (NAGS-AP).
Kyari stressed the urgent need for increased funding to develop climate-resilient crops and scale sustainable agricultural practices, stressing that this is vital to overcoming climate challenges and ensuring global food security.
Calling for collective action, the Minister urged:
“Let all nations commit to coherent national strategies that align climate objectives with agricultural development, backed by catalytic finance and policy reform. Let international financial institutions such as IFAD, FAO, and GEF scale up concessional and blended finances, share risk, and support scalable, high-impact programmes that reach smallholder farmers and rural communities.”
He commended FAO and IFAD for their technical support through the Global Environment Facility’s Food Systems Integrated Programme (FSIP), describing it as an initiative that not only supports Nigeria but also fosters knowledge-sharing and collaboration among countries worldwide.
“Such partnerships,” he said, “are essential as we work collectively to transform food systems for sustainability, resilience, and inclusiveness.”