Problems and prospects of climate-smart agriculture amidst insecurity in Nigeria

                @article{CRSIJ26000421,
                  author = {Abdullahi, Musa A'ihi, Abdulsalami Yunusa, Emeje Mohammed Hassan},
                  title = {Problems and prospects of climate-smart agriculture amidst insecurity in Nigeria},
                  journal = {Cosmo Research and Science International Journal},
                  year = {2026},
                  volume = {2},
                  number = {2},
                  pages = {566-583},
                  issn = {3108-1584},
                  url = {https://cosmorsij.com/published/CRSIJ26000421.pdf},
                  abstract = {Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has emerged as a strategic approach for sustaining agricultural productivity, strengthening resilience to climate variability and change, and reducing agricultural greenhouse-gas emissions where feasible. In Nigeria, however, the transition towards climate-smart food systems is taking place within a difficult environment characterised by insecurity, farmer–herder tensions, terrorism and banditry in some locations, displacement, high input costs, weak rural infrastructure, limited extension coverage, market disruption, and recurrent climate shocks such as droughts, floods, heat stress and irregular rainfall. This paper examines the major problems and prospects of CSA amidst insecurity in Nigeria through an integrative review of policy documents, recent empirical studies and authoritative international assessments. The paper argues that insecurity is not simply an external disturbance to agricultural development; it can directly affect the feasibility, affordability, continuity and geographical reach of CSA interventions. Farmers may be unable to cultivate distant plots, extension personnel may avoid high-risk communities, cooperatives may weaken, agricultural finance may become more expensive, and damaged roads and markets may reduce the returns to climate-smart investments. At the same time, climate variability can interact with livelihood pressure and competition over land, pasture and water, thereby complicating conflict-sensitive agricultural development. The paper identifies major CSA opportunities in Nigeria, including improved and stress-tolerant varieties, conservation agriculture, agroforestry, integrated crop–livestock systems, efficient irrigation and water harvesting, climate information services, digital extension, renewable-energy applications, improved livestock management, index-based insurance, diversified livelihoods, and producer organisations. Recent evidence from Nigeria indicates that extension access, education, credit, income, cooperative membership and risk orientation influence CSA adoption, while newer evidence shows that integrated CSA practices can improve productivity and resilience. The paper recommends a conflict-sensitive CSA framework built around security-aware extension delivery, decentralised climate services, affordable finance and insurance, resilient rural infrastructure, farmer organisations, indigenous knowledge, gender- and youth-responsive programmes, early warning and anticipatory action, and stronger coordination between agricultural, environmental, humanitarian and security institutions. The paper concludes that Nigeria's CSA agenda should move beyond technology promotion towards a whole-food-system resilience approach that recognises the combined effects of climate, conflict, markets, institutions and livelihoods.},
                  keywords = {Climate-smart agriculture, climate change; insecurity, food security, resilience, smallholder farmers, Nigeria, agricultural extension},
                  month = {September}
        }