EU, partners unveil initiative to strengthen food security
The European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Czech Republic, Austria and Latvia, has launched a new initiative aimed at enhancing food production and strengthening sustainable agricultural systems in Nigeria
The European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Czech Republic, Austria and Latvia, has launched a new initiative aimed at enhancing food production and strengthening sustainable agricultural systems in Nigeria through climate-smart technologies.
The programme, introduced under the EU–Nigeria Twinning Project, is designed to bring technical expertise from the European partners to support Nigeria in advancing climate-smart agriculture and building more resilient food systems.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, commended the EU and its partners for their continued support in boosting Nigeria’s agricultural sector. He highlighted the growing challenges facing agriculture in the country, including climate change, irregular rainfall patterns, drought, flooding, land degradation, and the spread of pests and diseases.
According to the minister, these challenges have significantly affected productivity and the livelihoods of farmers, underscoring the urgent need for a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system. He emphasized that climate-smart agriculture is critical not only for addressing climate-related threats but also for improving productivity while safeguarding the environment.
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Abdullahi further noted that the Twinning Project would facilitate knowledge exchange and provide Nigeria with valuable technical expertise. He explained that the initiative would support the review of the National Agricultural Resilience Framework and help develop practical guidelines on climate-smart agricultural practices, aligning Nigeria’s policies with global standards.
In his remarks, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy but acknowledged the sector’s numerous challenges, including environmental pressures, food insecurity, and structural limitations. He stressed that overcoming these issues requires not just financial investment, but also strong institutions and effective policy implementation.
Mignot added that the project would contribute to a comprehensive review of the National Agricultural Resilience Framework Policy and other related strategies, identifying gaps and offering actionable recommendations. He said the ultimate goal is to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure that policies translate into tangible improvements for farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities.
Also speaking, the Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, Ibrahim Tanimu, described the initiative as a significant step forward, noting that it brings together European and Nigerian experts to address key agricultural and climate challenges. He said the collaboration would help develop practical, implementable solutions that will enhance food security and drive sustainable agricultural transformation across Nigeria.
Tanimu added that the project is timely, given the increasing impact of climate change and the ongoing transformation of global food systems. He expressed confidence that the initiative would bridge the gap between policy and practice, ultimately benefiting farmers and stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.
