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Agricultural industry

Climate Change Threatens Nigerian Maize Farmers, But Climate-Smart Agriculture Offers Hope

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Climate change poses significant threats to agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria, particularly among smallholder maize farmers in Southwest Nigeria. Erratic rainfall, droughts, and floods exacerbate vulnerability, making it challenging for farmers to maintain productivity and ensure food security. However, research conducted by the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria has found that Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices can enhance resilience and productivity among maize farming households. The study investigated how CSA practices mitigate climate change vulnerability among Nigerian maize farming households, focusing on their impact on maize yield and household food security.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study sampled 480 maize farmers in Southwest Nigeria using a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique and found that CSA adoption varied, with drought-tolerant maize varieties at 76%, soil conservation at 44%, and organic fertilizer at 39%.
  • Multinomial Endogenous Switching Regression (MESRM) showed significant yield increases (80.859 kg/ha with combined practices) and Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) improved with CSA.
  • However, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) scores rose unexpectedly for some practices, indicating trade-offs, and adoption of CSA practices was driven by age, gender, and extension access, with barriers including household size and labor constraints.
  • Vulnerability analysis highlighted regional climate risks, with CSA reducing exposure and sensitivity.
  • The research concluded that CSA enhances resilience and productivity but requires tailored strategies to address adoption barriers and food security complexities, and integrated approaches and policy support are critical for maximizing benefits in climate-vulnerable maize systems.

Statistics:

  • 480 maize farmers were sampled in the study
  • 76% of farmers adopted drought-tolerant maize varieties
  • 44% of farmers adopted soil conservation practices
  • 39% of farmers adopted organic fertilizer
  • Significant yield increases of 80.859 kg/ha with combined CSA practices (MESRM)
  • Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) improved with CSA
  • Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) scores rose unexpectedly for some CSA practices

Sources:

  • "From vulnerability to viability: Climate-Smart agriculture as drivers of productivity and food security in Nigerian maize-based farming households" (Environmental Challenges, 2025,20():101268)
  • doi: 10.1016/j.envc.2025.101268
  • Academic Editor: Adetomiwa Kolapo, Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • Additional author: Stefan Sieber, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria
  • Publisher: Elsevier

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