Explainer: Why sustainable agriculture matters

For years, agriculture has been practiced with one key goal: produce more food, as quickly and cheaply as possible. But climate change, land degradation, rising input costs and shrinking yields are exposing the limits of that approach.

Across Nigeria, farmers are contending with erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, flooding, declining soil fertility and pest outbreaks that are harder to control. In this context, sustainable agriculture is emerging not as a phrase, but as the future of food production.

Sustainable agriculture refers to farming practices that meet today’s food needs without compromising the ability of future generations to produce food.

It seeks to balance three outcomes: economic viability for farmers, environmental protection, and social well-being. Unlike conventional farming systems that often prioritise yield at all costs, sustainable agriculture focuses on long-term productivity and resilience.

In practical terms, sustainable agriculture means using farming methods that protect soil health, conserve water, reduce dependence on harmful chemicals and adapt to climate change.

This includes practices such as crop rotation, organic fertiliser use, integrated pest management, agroforestry, conservation tillage, climate-smart seed varieties and efficient irrigation systems.

For farmers in Nigeria, the case for sustainable agriculture is increasingly compelling. Agriculture remains largely rain-fed, making it highly vulnerable to climate shocks.

According to data from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), rainfall patterns have become more unpredictable, disrupting planting calendars and increasing crop failure risks.

At the same time, excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has degraded soils in many farming communities, reducing yields and raising production costs.

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Sustainable agriculture offers a pathway out of this trap. Healthy soils retain more water and nutrients, making crops more resilient to droughts and floods.

Diversified farms, where farmers grow multiple crops or combine crops with trees and livestock, are less exposed to total loss when one crop fails. Reduced reliance on imported fertilisers and agrochemicals also shields farmers from global price shocks.

Agric experts also emphasise adoption of organic manure instead of chemical fertilisers, strengthening local partnerships, and training more agricultural extension workers to bridge knowledge gaps and keep farmers informed.

Why sustainable agriculture

Beyond resilience, sustainable agriculture is becoming a market advantage. Globally, consumers, agribusinesses and financiers are paying closer attention to how food is produced.

Export markets increasingly demand traceability and environmentally responsible production. Farmers who adopt sustainable practices are better positioned to access premium markets, climate finance, carbon credit schemes and green investment programmes.

Steps to move into sustainable agriculture

The move, however, requires deliberate action. The first step is improving soil health through composting, planting cover crops and reducing excessive tillage. These practices restore organic matter to the soil, improving productivity over time.

Next is water management. Simple techniques such as mulching and rainwater storing can significantly cut down on irrigation costs while improving yields.

Similarly, for pest and disease control, integrated pest management using biological controls and resistant varieties can lower chemical use without sacrificing output.

However, access to knowledge is critical. Extension services, farmer cooperatives, and agritech organisations play a key role in training farmers on sustainable techniques.

Digital tools are also making climate information, weather forecasts and best practices more accessible to smallholder farmers, who account for over 80 percent of Africa’s most populous nation’s food production.

Roles of the government

If farmers will conveniently practice sustainable agriculture, policymakers and agribusinesses must support this transition.

Investments in research, climate-resilient infrastructure, affordable credit and incentives for sustainable practices will determine how quickly adoption scales.

Call to action

Sustainable agriculture is not about sacrificing productivity for environmental ideals. It is about producing more food, more reliably, in a way that preserves the land and livelihoods farmers depend on.

As climate pressures intensify and global food systems evolve, farmers who adapt early will be better positioned to survive and thrive.

This is important because in Nigeria, where food security, employment and economic diversification are deeply tied to agriculture, sustainable farming is no longer a choice for the future, but an urgent necessity for today.

Feyishola Jaiyesimi covers agriculture and environment trends at BusinessDay, Nigeria’s leading daily newspaper focused on economy and finance. Her stories draw on investigative journalism, and she has been selected for professional training by the US Embassy, Lagos, and Dataphyte. Feyishola holds a bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Environmental Biology from Ekiti State University.

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