Insights from UM6P on Climate, Labour, and Food Resilience
As West Africa grapples with erratic rainfall, labour shortages, and mounting food insecurity, experts are urging urgent investments in modern irrigation and mechanisation systems. According to Prof. Bruno Gerard, Head of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at UM6P, only a transformative shift in agricultural strategy can reverse the decline in productivity and protect the region’s food future.
Gerard emphasizes that mechanisation is not a luxury; it is essential. Without timely access to small-scale equipment like two-wheel tractors, farmers miss critical windows for sowing and weeding, resulting in large yield losses. Drawing from global models and UM6P’s own fieldwork, he advocates for service-led models that prioritize affordability, training, and support empowering local entrepreneurs and reducing drudgery, especially for women and youth.
On irrigation, Gerard points to solar-powered pumps, drip systems, and digital water management tools as key technologies that can help smallholders adapt to climate volatility. However, he warns that these solutions must be cost-effective, durable, and tailored to infrastructure-poor environments. Circular water use models and locally supported advisory services are essential for long-term impact.
These recommendations echo recent public commitments in Nigeria, where the government has launched 11 major irrigation projects and trained over 1,300 young professionals in water system management. With initiatives like SPIN now underway, UM6P’s vision aligns with a broader African movement to connect science, policy, and innovation. Making agriculture more resilient, inclusive, and climate-ready.
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