The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, emphasized the need to establish agricultural insurance and weather advisory desks at the community level to bolster climate resilience and adaptation among smallholder farmers.
This initiative, he explained, is vital to creating a supportive environment for sustainable agricultural investments, which can enhance productivity and secure farmers’ livelihoods.
In a statement released on Monday by Assistant Director of Information Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Kyari, represented by Dr. Deola Lordbanjo, Director of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services, made this call during the recent Agricultural Insurance and Climate Advisory Round Table Meeting in Abuja.
“Insurance cover for farmers is essential to protecting investments, increasing productivity, and improving the livelihoods of farmers, which will in turn support our food security goals,” Kyari remarked.
He highlighted that timely weather advisory services at the community level would help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, such as floods and droughts, on agriculture.
Kyari noted the rising frequency of environmental disasters due to climate change, saying, “Farmers are particularly vulnerable, as these disasters often wipe out their investments.”
The Minister affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to developing the agricultural sector in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those targeting zero hunger and sustainable agricultural practices.
To move beyond subsistence farming, Kyari stressed, “Agricultural investments must be protected and market-oriented.”
He commended the ongoing support of USAID in promoting market-driven agricultural stability and enhancing Nigeria’s regional trade partnerships.
Jean-Pierre Rousseau, Director of Winrock International, also endorsed the role of agricultural insurance and weather advisory in transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He assured that USAID’s Feed the Future Programme will continue to aid Nigeria’s agricultural development.
The roundtable gathered stakeholders from the Agricultural Extension Services Sub-Sector, including USAID’s Feed the Future Programme, Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, and the Agricultural Development Programme, underscoring the collaborative effort to boost Nigeria’s food security and resilience.
