Background
The Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture is actively working to establish a Climate-Smart Agriculture Research and Demonstration Lab to promote sustainable farming practices and enhance resilience to climate change in Nigeria. The initiative aims to serve as a hands-on research, training, and demonstration facility, fostering innovation in climate-resilient agriculture. This ongoing project is expected to be fully operational by December 2025, with phased implementation to ensure efficiency and impact.
Objectives
- Establish a greenhouse demonstration space showcasing climate-smart agriculture practices relevant to Nigerian farming conditions.
- Provide a dedicated training facility for farmers, extension agents, and students to gain practical experience in climate-resilient agriculture.
- Research innovative and sustainable agricultural technologies that mitigate climate change effects.
- Demonstrate the economic benefits and viability of climate-smart agricultural practices to encourage widespread adoption.
Site Description
The Demonstration Lab is being developed at No. 1 Masarki Close, Off Parakou Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, within the Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture office premises. The location offers accessibility for training, research, and collaboration with stakeholders.
Design and Layout
The Demonstration Lab is designed to integrate various climate-smart agricultural techniques. The key components include:
- Greenhouse Structure:
- A 5m x 10m greenhouse, constructed using locally sourced materials.
- Roofing with UV-stabilized polyethene film and walls of brick and mortar (or a container-based alternative).
- Climate-Smart Agriculture Systems:
- Hydroponics and aquaponics for water-efficient farming.
- Drip irrigation and mulching to optimise soil moisture retention.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to reduce chemical inputs.
- Climate-resilient crop varieties to enhance food security.
- Rainwater Harvesting & Solar Power:
- A 10,000-litre rainwater harvesting system to supply irrigation needs.
- A 10 KW solar power system and 5 KW battery for energy storage to ensure sustainable energy use.
- AI & IoT Integration:
- Deployment of AI-powered sensors and IoT devices for real-time environmental monitoring and automation.
- Connectivity through a LoRaWAN network to optimise agricultural management.
- Precision Agriculture:
- Drone-based crop monitoring using a DJI Agras drone for enhanced field analysis.
- Satellite-based soil moisture mapping leveraging Planet Labs imagery.
- Vertical Farming:
- Implement hydroponic vertical farming systems with LED grow lights to maximise space utilisation.
- Blockchain-Based Supply Chain Management:
- Establishment of a Hyperledger Fabric platform for transparent agricultural transactions.
Features & Facilities
- Training Area: Equipped to accommodate a minimum of 20 participants for hands-on workshops.
- Research & Demonstration Plots: Dedicated spaces for conducting experiments on climate-smart techniques.
- Office & Storage Facilities: Ensuring efficient operations and equipment security.
Implementation Plan & Timeline
The development of the Demonstration Lab follows a structured implementation timeline:
- Design & Planning (February–April 2025)
- Purchases, Construction & Installation (April 2025–September 2025)
- Testing & Commissioning (July–October 2025)
- Training & Capacity Building (Ongoing from October 2025)
Full operational readiness is targeted for December 2025.
Conclusion
The Climate-Smart Agriculture Research and Demonstration Lab is a groundbreaking initiative designed to support research, training, and adopting sustainable farming practices. It will showcase practical solutions like smart irrigation, resilient crop varieties, and precision farming to help farmers adapt to climate change. The project is well underway and set to be fully operational by December 2025, creating a space where farmers, students, and researchers can learn, experiment, and drive the future of sustainable agriculture in Nigeria.