Agroecology Drive Targets Food Security and Climate Resilience
The Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said the intervention was implemented under the Strategic Partnerships for Agroecology and Climate Justice in West Africa (SPAC) project, aimed at advancing agroecology and building more inclusive food systems.
Speaking at a national town hall meeting on “Land Use Act and Alternative Frameworks for Access and Control over Land for Smallholder Women Farmers and Young People in Agroecology” in Abuja, Mamedu stressed the central role of land in agricultural transformation.
“Land remains central to agroecology, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods,” he said, describing it as more than a productive asset.
Expanding Access to Farmland Across States
Mamedu highlighted several community-level successes recorded under the initiative, noting gradual improvements in land access for farmers through collaboration with traditional institutions, governments, and local communities.
Among the examples cited were:
- Allocation of three hectares to Ojoloro Agbe Farmers’ Cooperative in Ugbe community, Akoko North-East LGA
- Three hectares provided in Ibusa, Delta State by the Ministry of Agriculture for an agroecology model farm
- One hectare allocated in 2026 to Oke-Agbe/Irun Farmers Group in Akoko North-West LGA by a traditional ruler
- 17 hectares committed across Dutse, Kiyawa and Miga LGAs in Jigawa State
- 1.2 hectares donated by Dutse Local Government Council in 2025
- Two acres allocated to a woman farmer in Akunnara community, Ondo West LGA
- Over 44 acres accessed by women farmers across Delta State through community engagement
He said these interventions demonstrate growing collaboration between stakeholders but warned that structural barriers still limit equitable access to land, especially for women and young people.
Structural Barriers Still Limit Progress
Mamedu pointed to competing land uses, poor rural infrastructure, and long distances to farmlands as major challenges facing smallholder farmers.
“These realities show that land access and control are structural issues requiring deliberate policy and institutional reforms,” he noted.
He also criticized limitations within the Land Use Act, saying it still presents bureaucratic hurdles and weak enforcement mechanisms that affect tenure security and inclusivity.
Government Acknowledges Persistent Challenges
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Mr Tanimu Ibrahim said land access remains a critical obstacle to agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
He noted that the Land Use Act of 1978 has raised long-standing concerns around equity and accessibility, particularly for women and youth, adding that reform discussions are increasingly necessary.
Agroecology as a Pathway Forward
Stakeholders at the meeting described agroecology as a practical approach that balances productivity with environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, and social inclusion.
The forum brought together government agencies, development partners, traditional rulers, civil society groups, farmer associations, youth and women networks, and private sector representatives, all focused on improving land governance and food system resilience in Nigeria.