Effective Climate Smart Agricultural Practices in Northern Nigeria

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For decades, the lands in Northern Nigeria have grappled with the harsh reality of unpredictable rainfall, frequent drought spells and encroaching desertification. Yet, each day, farmers in these regions put on a new wave of determination and eagerness to overcome the odds and adopt diverse agricultural practices that are adaptable to their region. This is unknowingly steadily transforming the region’s agricultural landscape. These practices, which Northern farmers unknowingly use, are actually climate-smart practices.

The Harsh Realities of Agriculture in Northern Nigeria

Agriculture is the backbone of the North’s economy, employing over 70% of the population, according to Seahi Publications, 2025. From millet and sorghum fields in Sokoto to tomato farms in Kaduna, and to cattle rearing in Kastina. Family livelihoods rely on seasonal rains and traditional techniques handed down through generations.

However, the effects of climate change have become impossible to ignore. Rainy seasons arrive late or finish early, and rivers that once brimmed with life now trickle ominously, threatening to vanish altogether. Frequent droughts have whittled crop yields to dangerous lows, while flooding in other seasons ruins freshly planted seeds.

Climate-Smart Agriculture adopted in Northern Nigeria

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) refers to farming approaches designed to boost productivity, increase resilience against weather extremes, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CSA isn’t a single invention but a collection of techniques, many of which blend age-old wisdom with modern science. For the farmers of Northern Nigeria, adopting CSA has become both a lifeline and a source of renewed pride, especially in a region where mobile internet and electricity remain patchy, but small tweaks in practice have sparked an agricultural revolution.

1. Using Drought-Resistant Varieties

In the past, when the rains failed, entire harvests failed too. Now, thanks to agricultural research and partnerships with local universities, drought-resistant varieties of maize, wheat, cowpea, and millet are being distributed. These seeds mature quickly and require less water, guaranteeing a more stable food supply. Farmers have shifted to planting drought-tolerant varieties of staple crops such as maize, millet, sorghum, and cowpea. These varieties mature faster and require less water, ensuring better harvests under uncertain rainfall.

This adoption helps buffer against frequent dry spells and lower yields. Drought-resistant seeds can boost productivity by 20–30% despite declining rainfall in Northern Nigeria.

2. Fadama farming

Fadama farming involves the utilisation of floodplain ecosystems for irrigated agriculture and is inherently climate-smart because it enhances water management, supports diversified cropping, and improves farmers’ resilience to climate variability. In Northern Nigeria, where rainfall is erratic and water scarcity is common, Fadama farming allows smallholder farmers to access shallow groundwater and seasonal surface water for irrigation, making crop production less dependent on unpredictable rainfall. 

This practice promotes higher yields through controlled water use, supports multiple cropping cycles, and encourages sustainable land use by reducing pressure on rain-fed areas. Moreover, ongoing projects under the World Bank’s Fadama initiative incorporate climate adaptation strategies such as improved irrigation infrastructure, farmer training, and participatory resource management, which further embed climate-smart principles. 

3. Conservation Agriculture

Another breakthrough is that conservation agriculture involves minimal soil disturbance, crop rotation, and keeping the soil covered with organic materials. Instead of burning off old stalks or over-ploughing, farmers now mulch with leftover stalks and rotate crops to maintain soil fertility. In Northern Nigeria, conservation agriculture has demonstrated yield increases and superior drought resilience. This technique has reduced soil erosion, kept moisture locked in, and increased yields by up to 30%.

4. Drip Irrigation

Access to water remains a major stumbling block. Traditional irrigation methods are wasteful, but innovations like drip irrigation have proved transformative. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, maximising efficiency and preventing waste. This method reduces water use by up to 60% compared to traditional irrigation, and it also reduces the spread of weeds and disease.

Solar-powered drip irrigation systems are gaining traction in states like Jigawa, enabling farmers to sustain crops through dry periods. These innovations support year-round farming, which is critical in a climate-stressed region.

5. Use of Zai Pits and Micro-Catchments

Some farmers have revived the ancient “Tassa” technique, which is digging small pits to trap run-off water and improve yields in sandy soils. Zai pits are small, hand-dug holes designed to harvest and concentrate rainwater around crop roots. These micro-catchments improve water availability in sandy, degraded soils prevalent in the region. Farmers in Katsina and Zamfara report increased germination rates and stronger plants with zai pit use, underscoring the value of traditional knowledge combined with CSA principles. 

6. Agroforestry and Farmer-Inspired Techniques

Mixing trees with crops has found new life in the North. The familiar acacia and baobab trees, interspersed among fields, shade young plants, enrich soils with nitrogen, and provide livestock feed. Northern Nigerian farmers are increasingly adopting agroforestry by growing crops and trees together for better yields, fodder, and environmental sustainability. Over 60% of farmers in surveyed zones practise “agri-silviculture,” recognising its benefits for food, fuel, and environmental balance.

7. Improved Post-Harvest Handling and Storage

Improved Post-Harvest Handling and Storage in Northern Nigeria is a vital climate-smart practice that helps reduce food losses, protect farmers’ incomes, and strengthen food security. In Northern Nigeria, sun drying remains the most traditional and widely used method to preserve crops like grains, tubers, and legumes immediately after harvest. 

However, this practice faces challenges such as contamination, weather unpredictability, and pest attacks. To overcome these, recent initiatives have introduced improved drying technologies and better storage solutions, including the use of metallic silos, Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) bags, solar dryers and silos. These innovations help maintain crop quality by preventing spoilage, mould, and insect infestations, which significantly reduce post-harvest losses that can reach up to 30–40%. Sundrying remains a very common practice for these farmers compared to other technologies.

By improving drying methods coupled with better storage conditions, Northern Nigerian farmers are embracing climate-smart post-harvest practices that protect their harvests from climate-induced risks and market fluctuations.

Challenges and Triumphs

Adopting CSA is not without its hurdles. Access to credit and the cost of new tools can be prohibitive, especially for small-scale women farmers who often lack land rights. There’s also a steep learning curve: convincing communities to depart from what their ancestors practised is no small feat.

Yet, change is in the air. Extension agents and local agricultural advisers now bring CSA workshops to rural villages, often in local languages and by leveraging radio broadcasts, so even the most remote communities are not left behind. Women’s groups and youth organisations take the lead, forming cooperatives to pool resources and push for local government support.

Scaling Up and Sustaining Progress

Although the impact of climate-smart agriculture in Northern Nigeria is undeniably positive, scaling up these practices requires concerted effort. Policymakers must ensure farmers have access to extension services, affordable credit, and insurance schemes that shield them from unforeseen weather disasters.

International donors and private sector investors are slowly recognising the potential. Programmes like the World Bank’s Fadama project and the African Development Bank’s support for climate-resilient agriculture have channelled millions of naira into research, training, and rural infrastructure.

Moving forward, young Nigerians, tech start-ups, and even local governments are beginning to view climate-smart agriculture not just as a tool for weathering the storm, but as a smart business opportunity. Mobile phone-based advisory services now allow farmers to receive weather forecasts, pest alerts, and market prices.