Nigerian farmers are urgently appealing to the Federal Government to introduce subsidies for solar-powered irrigation facilities. This call aims to combat the severe impacts of climate change on agriculture and secure the nation's food supply.
Groundbreaking Study Reveals Adoption Gap
The plea follows an extensive research project by the YELF Climate Trust Foundation, a non-governmental organisation focused on climate issues. The study engaged 10,500 smallholder farmers in Kebbi State to understand their challenges and practices.
Findings revealed a stark contradiction: while 99.51% of the farmers surveyed are aware of Solar-powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS), fewer than 29.96% currently use the technology. This highlights a significant gap between knowledge and practical application.
Mr Ethel Okosuns, Chief Executive Officer of YELF Climate Trust Foundation, stated that this research is part of a larger initiative across Nigeria's 19 northern states. Baseline studies are currently active in Bauchi, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Kano, with the goal of building a database for five million smallholder farmers in the region.
High Benefits, But Higher Costs Block Farmers
The benefits for those who have adopted SPIS are substantial. The study found that 70.24% of SPIS users reported a significant income increase. This boost is primarily attributed to higher crop yields, experienced by 74.07% of users, and lower operational costs, noted by 33.89%.
Furthermore, 76.23% of users saw their savings grow compared to using other energy sources. The positive ripple effects are clear: 57.37% of farmers reinvested their increased income to expand farming, bolstering food security. Another 40.47% used the surplus to fund their children's education, promising better school enrolment in their communities.
Despite these advantages, the primary barrier is cost. 79.57% of respondents identified high upfront investment as the major obstacle, while 39.29% cited limited access to financing. This underscores the severe credit challenges smallholder farmers face.
Climate Change Realities and Smart Farming Awareness
The research also measured climate change awareness. A majority of farmers are witnessing its effects firsthand, with 62.28% observing rising temperatures and 50.98% reporting increased flooding.
An overwhelming 93.71% believe SPIS is a key climate adaptation tool, as it provides reliable water and reduces dependence on unpredictable rainfall. However, awareness of other climate-smart practices remains critically low. Only 15.13% know about broader adaptation approaches, and a mere 14.15% recognise crop rotation as a climate-smart practice.
The productivity difference is undeniable. The report notes that SPIS users achieved a 31.53% higher crop yield than non-users. Additionally, 16.6% of SPIS users now farm year-round, leading to greater food production, improved incomes, and better livelihoods.
A Clear Path Forward: Subsidies and Support
The message from the farming community is unambiguous. 88.2% of those surveyed strongly prioritised financial support and expressed interest in government subsidies for SPIS.
The report concludes that with targeted subsidies, better financing options, and deliberate climate-smart agricultural policies, Nigeria's smallholder farmers can dramatically increase food production. This would enhance prosperity, strengthen national food security, and reduce the country's heavy reliance on expensive food imports.
