Greenhouse Farming: NASENI’s Plan to Lift Millions Out of Poverty, Boost Economy by 2030 ‎

By Emmanuel Kwada 

‎In a bid to conquer hunger crisis, Technical Assistant to the Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Dr. Yahaya Tanko has disclosed Mr. Khalil Halilu’s plan to transform the nation’s food landscape through cutting-edge greenhouse farming.

‎He made the disclosure recently in Abuja at a high-stakes advocacy workshop organized for women leaders by the International Women Communication Centre (IWCC).

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Drone Used for Farm Chemical Spraying

‎Themed “Food System Strengthening and Capacity Building for Green Trust Women Leaders Towards Improving Green Accountability in Nigeria,” the one day program attracted

‎Centered on the theme “Budgetary Allocation on Food Production to Reduce Hunger,” the event aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger, aiming to end hunger, achieve food security, and improve nutrition nationwide.

‎Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Tanko spotlighted NASENI’s flagship Irrigate Nigeria Project as the linchpin of this green revolution.

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‎He said, “Our greenhouse farming initiatives under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Khalil will lift 2.5 million Nigerians out of poverty within five years and slash the country’s crippling food import bills by 25per cent, that’s $37.4 billion saved by 2030.

The solar-powered pumps, equipped with GPS tracking, mobile-app dashboards, and pay-as-you-go financing, are at the heart of it all

‎Also, he emphasized the agency’s fusion of modern irrigation, renewable energy, and homegrown tech.

‎Launched in early 2025, the Irrigate Nigeria Project is already enabling three farming cycles annually through state-of-the-art irrigation infrastructure.

‎He maintained that the pilot greenhouses at NASENI’s Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) in Lafia, Nasarawa State, have proven the model’s success, paving the way for nationwide rollout.

‎According to him, the solar-powered pumps, equipped with GPS tracking, mobile-app dashboards, and pay-as-you-go financing, are at the heart of it all.

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EVC Mr. Khalil Halilu showcases locally produced tractors to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Kyari

‎Speaking further, he said “endorsed by the National Economic Council led by Vice President Kashim Shettima for the 2025 dry-season deployment, these pumps will power both open fields and greenhouses, ditching fossil fuels for clean energy – with NASENI planning to produce 100,000 units and prioritizing greenhouse operators.

‎”Strategic partnerships are fueling the momentum too. Collaborations with Indonesia for a coal fertilizer factory and the Czech Republic for affordable mini-tractors will ensure greenhouses have all the essential inputs they need.

‎”A new 10-hectare AMEDI center in Kebbi State will pioneer mechanized farming, seed technology, and hydroponics, while a solar industrial park in Nasarawa State ramps up production of electric vehicles and renewable-energy equipment.

‎This isn’t just farming, it’s engineering abundance

‎”What makes this vision sustainable is NASENI’s clever public-private partnership framework. Farmers repay their support in-kind with crops like rice paddy, steadily building a national food reserve that outlasts government funding. Even better, the solar systems are set to generate carbon credits, giving farmers an extra revenue stream to keep operations humming,” he said.

‎The pilot results, according to Dr. Tanko, speak for themselves validating year-round harvests that are now set for replication across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

‎He however, noted that by 2030, the agency projects creating 3 million jobs through technology transfers to 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, all perfectly in sync with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, industrialization, and climate resilience.

‎”Mr Khalil’s vision offers a tangible roadmap out of crisis. “This isn’t just farming, it’s engineering abundance. With women leaders now armed for green accountability, the countdown to Zero Hunger has truly begun,” Dr. Tanko said.

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