According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), agriculture in Nigeria is largely powered by smallholder farmers who rely entirely on rain-fed systems.
As such, during dry seasons, output declines sharply, creating scarcity and ensuing inflation. In 2024, based on data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the prices of vegetables like tomatoes rose by over 320%, thanks to inconsistent supply and climate disruptions.
The costs of traditional irrigation
To bridge these gaps, many Nigerian farmers have long turned to crude irrigation methods, from watering cans to petrol-powered pumps. These costly and inefficient alternatives often consumed part of their disposable income.
Many resorted to untreated river water or open-field irrigation farming with low-yield results due to pest infestation, heat stress and poor storage facilities. Post-harvest losses in vegetable farming have soared from 20% to 50% of total production, largely due to lack of preservation infrastructure and fickle weather patterns.
Beyond the field, market volatility has become another heavy burden. During the dry season, the costs of tomatoes, peppers, and spinach typically skyrocket, unlike during the wet months. This price instability not only hurts consumers but also weakens local agribusinesses and the broader food supply chain.
To tackle these odds, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has begun erecting 50 smart greenhouses in Abuja.
The project, launched within the University of Abuja’s Faculty of Agriculture, is part of a larger national initiative to strengthen food availability under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Each greenhouse will operate as a self-sustaining hub for vegetable production. The goal is to cultivate high-quality vegetables every day of the year, regardless of season, soil type, or weather conditions.
Inside the greenhouse revolution
The facility serves as a microclimate for growth: inside each greenhouse, temperature, humidity, and light are carefully regulated to suit specific crop needs.
This ensures that vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and leafy greens can grow faster, healthier, and free from the stress of droughts or floods. The approach promises yields that are three to five times higher than those of traditional open-field farming.
A key feature of the Abuja greenhouse cluster is its partnership with the University of Abuja, through which students and graduates of agriculture will be trained in modern horticulture, irrigation systems, and post-harvest management.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will turn the facility into a living classroom where young Nigerians learn hands-on skills that can transform their careers and communities.
The project also creates direct employment opportunities for farm technicians and produce managers alongside empowering youths to lead the charge in sustainable food production.
Additionally, the Abuja greenhouse cluster features integrated systems such as a solar-powered borehole, cold room, and packing house, all designed to reduce post-harvest losses and maintain freshness from farm to market.
The solar energy system ensures uninterrupted irrigation, while the cold room extends vegetable shelf life, cutting waste that often reaches 40% of total harvests in conventional farming.
This model mirrors the Sagamu greenhouse cluster in Ogun State, which serves the Southwest region. Once completed, the Abuja hub will cater to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and surrounding states, ensuring that fresh, affordable vegetables are always within reach.
Beyond the greenhouse clusters, NALDA’s plan includes cultivating a minimum of 10 hectares of open-field vegetables in every federal constituency to create a nationwide chain of supply that links farmers to consumers.
This hybrid model of combining open-field and controlled-environment farming will, in the long run, stabilise prices, reduce imports, and make Nigeria self-sufficient in vegetable production.
The smart greenhouse initiative aligns with global trends in sustainable farming, where innovation meets ecology to reduce water use, limit pesticide dependence, and improve nutritional quality. As a country battling soil degradation, erratic weather, and post-harvest losses, such interventions are timely.
Summary not available at this time.
