By Abdullahi Lukman
Efforts to strengthen food security in Nigeria are gaining momentum as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) expands technology-driven interventions across the agricultural value chain.
At the core of the agency’s strategy is closing the mechanisation gap that has long limited food production.
Through its Tractor Recovery Project, NASENI has refurbished and redeployed hundreds of abandoned tractors, including over 375 in Borno State and about 600 in Niger State, improving farmers’ capacity to cultivate larger areas and increase output.
The agency is also promoting access to affordable machinery, particularly for smallholder farmers who produce the bulk of Nigeria’s food. By supporting the local assembly of mini tractors, NASENI is helping to reduce reliance on costly imports and expand the reach of mechanised farming.
To further enhance food supply, NASENI is investing in irrigation systems under its “Irrigate Nigeria” initiative, which aims to enable year-round farming.
The programme is expected to increase harvest cycles from a single rainy-season yield to multiple harvests annually, reducing vulnerability to climate variability and boosting overall productivity.
Pilot projects such as hydroponics farming in Nasarawa State have demonstrated the potential of controlled irrigation systems to sustain consistent food production under local conditions.
In addressing energy constraints that affect irrigation, the agency has introduced solar-powered pumps, offering farmers a more affordable and sustainable alternative to fuel-powered systems.
These innovations are expected to lower production costs while improving efficiency and resilience.
NASENI’s food security approach also targets post-harvest losses, a major factor reducing available food supply.
By developing locally manufactured processing and storage equipment—including cassava processing machines, grain threshers, and solar dryers—the agency is helping to preserve more produce and extend its shelf life.
Its interventions span the entire agricultural value chain, from production and irrigation to processing and distribution, reflecting a systems-based approach to ensuring stable and sufficient food supply.
Nigeria has long faced food security challenges driven by low productivity, inadequate mechanisation, and weak infrastructure despite vast agricultural resources.
NASENI’s integration of technology into farming practices is beginning to address these constraints by improving yields, reducing waste, and enhancing efficiency.
The agency’s emphasis on local manufacturing is also contributing to economic resilience by creating jobs and reducing dependence on imported agricultural equipment.
As these initiatives scale up, their impact on food availability and affordability is expected to grow.
Sustained adoption and effective implementation will be critical in determining how far they can strengthen Nigeria’s food system and support long-term food security.