Advancing Climate Smart Agriculture and Promoting Food Security in Nigeria Through Clean Renewable Energy
By Sarah Okoh* and Ifeoma Malo*
The inconsistency of the climate has been a topical issue globally given that crop yield and production remains very important to the economy and the livelihood of the people of Nigeria and the world at large. Given the severity of food insecurity in the world, especially in Nigeria, there is the need to put in place measures that minimizes the adverse effects of climate change on agricultural production. The recognition of this need was globally demonstrated through adoption of the Paris Agreement. The challenges of turning the promises associated with those agreements into reality, necessitates the need for agricultural interventions that would address the threats posed by climate change.
It is in responding to this that the concept of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) was developed. The Food and Agricultural Organization defined CSA as any approach that addresses three pillars of food security (sustainable increase in productivity), adaptation (enhanced resilience to climate change), and mitigation (removal of Green House Gases emissions).
Energy plays a crucial role in every stage of the agri-food system: in the pre-production stage of inputs; in the production of crops, fish, livestock and forestry products; in post-production and post-harvest operations; in food storage and processing; in food transport and distribution; and in food preparation. For these listed stages to be efficient, the value chain must be driven by smart energy solutions. Without access to energy, attaining the goal and objective of food security will be a mirage. The importance of energy for CSA advancement and food security cannot be overemphasized. It forms a vital part of key assets for CSA upscaling and increase in food security, as the lack of availability and access to energy can considerably limit the ability of agricultural system to cope with the effects of climate change and wider development pressures.
Worldwide agricultural energy activities are largely fossil-dependent. In addition, it is estimated that two-fifths of the world’s population still depends on unsustainably harvested wood energy for cooking and heating. Access to clean modern energy services is an enormous challenge facing the African countries and Nigeria particularly because energy is fundamental for both socioeconomic development and industrial needs. For increased food production to meet the needs of a growing population it is likely to increase energy use within the agricultural sector. This could potentially widen the gap between energy demand and access, and it could increase the negative impact which agriculture has on the environment such as rising emissions. Combined with unsustainable energy use in consumption, these issues present significant challenges for energy access in a CSA context. However, access to clean energy sources and diversification through the use of sustainable renewable energy can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, increase energy supply and access, and reduce the impact on the environment.
Opening up access to clean energy sources through efficient and affordable small-scale systems such as DRC can enhance CSA and increase food security. Reducing reliance on fossil energy and associated costs, as well as the adoption of alternative or more sustainable source of energy can result in increased time and income becoming available which can be used to enhance resilience to climate change impacts, reduce the vulnerability of farmers to price shocks and resource shortage; improve health, rural development, and increased food security. Bioenergy, solar energy, and other clean energy sources such as wind and geothermal energy can replace fossil fuels and other high emissions energy sources (e.g. wood and charcoal), and reduce CO2 emissions, in both the short- and long-term. Enhanced access to, and the use of clean energy can help mitigate the impact of climate change by promoting efficient and replicable technologies.
According to a report by SE4ALL regarding renewable energy, Nigeria aims to achieve a 9% and 13% contribution of hydroelectricity (both large and small hydro) to the nation’s electricity generation mix by 2015 and 2020 respectively; a 1% contribution of wind energy to the nation’s electricity generation mix by 2020; and a 3% and 6% contribution of solar energy to the nation’s electricity generation mix by 2020 and 2030 respectively. This, in addition to the work some organization are already doing to improve access to clean energy sources such as Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the USAID, Nigerian Power Sector Program (NPSP), the Nigerian Off-Grid Market Program (NoMAP) amongst others, can be expanded upon through private sectors involvement with the support of the Nigerian government in order to advance access to clean energy solutions, increase CSA practices and food security.
At Clean Technology Hub we support climate Smart Agriculture, by mapping out small farmer holder communities and agricultural clusters, and working with Mini Grid and Micro Grid developers to provide energy access that can aid food production from farm to market. These markets are supported through planting, irrigation, harvesting and storage to increase yields and ensuring that pre and post market that these crops are able to get to final consumers in a fresh, healthy and wholesome way. This is why we promote, support, advocate and work with both farming communities and energy access providers to provide synergies and business strategies that can ensure food security for Nigerians all over.
*Sarah Okoh is a Senior Associate, Cross-Cutting Practice at Clean Technology Hub Nigeria.
*Ifeoma Malo is the Co-founder/CEO at Clean Teachnology Hub Nigeria.
