EU, NASRDA Set to Launch Satellite-Based Farming Project for Food Security in Nigeria
The European Union (EU), through its space agency ESA (European Space Agency), has partnered with Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to launch a groundbreaking satellite farming initiative designed to enhance food security in Nigeria by early 2026.
Known as Innovative Agriculture or Copernicus, the project leverages space technology and digital tools to improve agricultural decision-making, particularly for smallholder farmers. With full rollout expected by January 2026, the initiative marks a major step in integrating advanced satellite data into Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.
Key Highlights of the Copernicus Agriculture Project
- Project Launch Timeline: Set for inauguration by the end of 2025 or no later than January 2026.
- Core Objective: Drive food security in Nigeria through space-based agricultural support.
- Project Partners:
- European Union (EU) – funding and coordination
- European Space Agency (ESA) – technical expertise
- NASRDA – local implementation and training
How the Project Works
The Copernicus project will deploy satellite data, digital mapping tools, and field technologies to help farmers:
- Understand soil health and crop suitability
- Know when and what to plant
- Apply precision farming techniques
- Use GPS tools for mapping and soil testing
- Analyse farm locations using latitude, longitude, and polygon mapping
According to Hugh Briggs, the EU’s Programme Manager for Agriculture in Nigeria and West Africa, ESA will manage the technical deployment while NASRDA takes charge of community-level implementation.
Youth Empowerment & Capacity Building
A major component of the initiative involves the training of young people in rural areas. These individuals will:
- Serve as local agri-tech support agents
- Be equipped with tools and training in innovative agriculture
- Assist farmers in adopting smart farming methods
This approach aims to create employment, boost agricultural productivity, and enhance technology adoption in remote farming communities.
Ecological Zones & Demonstration Farms
The project will target seven key ecological zones across Nigeria. Each zone will feature:
- A demonstration farm equipped with precision agriculture tools
- Practical field applications for farmer education
- Data collection for use by policymakers and extension workers
These zones will act as both learning sites and data sources for evaluating agricultural trends and outcomes.
Establishment of a National Agri-Tech Hub
As part of the initiative, a state-of-the-art technology hub will be developed at NASRDA. This hub will:
- Serve as a training and innovation centre
- Facilitate nationwide knowledge sharing
- Offer ongoing capacity building for agriculture stakeholders
- Provide access to satellite-derived insights and digital tools
EU’s Broader Vision for Africa
Briggs emphasised that this initiative reflects the EU’s larger commitment to using digital and space-based solutions to strengthen Africa’s agricultural resilience. Copernicus is not just a project—it’s a platform for transformational change in how Nigeria approaches food security, farming, and sustainable development.
Conclusion
The EU-NASRDA satellite farming project represents a fusion of cutting-edge space technology and grassroots agricultural support. As Nigeria faces increasing food security challenges, this initiative is poised to empower farmers, modernise agriculture, and ensure long-term sustainability across the nation.
