On Agrilinks: Building Resilience in Nigerian Agriculture

Saweda Liverpool-Tasie<lliverp@msu.edu>, Laura Schmitt Olabisi<schmi420@msu.edu> -

Updated from an original article written by Laura Schmitt Olabisi and Saweda Liverpool-Tasie.

Recommendations for the Nigerian agricultural system to embrace resilience through three principles, in order to feed its population into the future under highly uncertain conditions.

agrilinks_Nigeria_lso_sltThe agricultural sector in Nigeria is facing multiple stressors and sources of change. Nigeria is the most populous and most rapidly urbanizing country in Africa. Nigerian decision-makers have to figure out how to maintain and develop the country’s ability to feed itself. The concept of resilience offers a framework for how to do this.

Scientists studying resilience have identified a number of key principles which foster resilience in systems undergoing shocks. We discuss three of them here as they relate to Nigerian agriculture: diversity, participation and learning.

  • Diversity: Farmers need to plant a range of crops so that if one fails, they have multiple other options for sale or consumption.
  • Participation: When everyone gets involved in problem-solving, more solutions are generated and trust is built.
  • Learning: We need continuous observation and experimentation to adapt to changes that are happening in Nigerian agriculture.
Read "Building Resilience in Nigerian Agriculture" on Agrilinks, December 6, 2018



Did you find this article useful?

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • c1-c2,
  • climate change,
  • food security group,
  • fsg news,
  • fsp news,
  • innovation lab for food security policy,
  • nigeria
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).