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Review Article Volume 9 Issue 3
Harnessing AI-powered smart irrigation systems to boost agricultural production and combat climate change in Nigeria: a comprehensive literature review
Mohammed JM, Abdulkadir SA, Abdullahi AS, Musa SM, Abubakar LG, Yisa MG
Received: September 10, 2025 | Published: September 24, 2025
Citation: Mohammed JM, Abdulkadir SA, Abdullahi AS, et al. Harnessing AI-powered smart irrigation systems to boost agricultural production and combat climate change in Nigeria: a comprehensive literature review. Int J Hydro. 2025;9(3):117-124. DOI: 10.15406/ijh.2025.09.00411
Abstract
Nigeria’s agricultural sector is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, manifesting in erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and water scarcity. These challenges, compounded by the nation’s dependence on rain-fed farming, threaten food security and rural livelihoods. Innovative, climate-resilient solutions are essential to transform agricultural productivity and sustainability. This literature review investigates the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with solar-powered irrigation systems as a strategic approach to enhance water resource management, improve crop yields, and mitigate climate change impacts in Nigeria. The study synthesizes existing research and case studies on AI-driven irrigation systems powered by solar energy. It examines the technical components—including IoT sensors (soil moisture, temperature, rainfall), data acquisition modules, cloud-based AI platforms for predictive analytics, and automated irrigation infrastructure. The review also explores enabling technologies such as remote sensing, drones, cloud computing, and big data analytics, emphasizing their role in system intelligence and operational efficiency. Evidence from case studies, notably those by Akanbi et al., 1 demonstrates substantial benefits: water usage reductions of up to 40%, crop yield increases of up to 30%, and water conservation improvements reaching 70%. The integration of solar energy significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions and enhances system viability in off-grid rural areas. These systems also improve resilience by enabling dynamic responses to weather variability and promoting sustainable land management. To facilitate widespread adoption, the study recommends targeted interventions including government incentives, public-private partnerships, localized AI model development, rural infrastructure expansion, farmer training programs, and innovative financing mechanisms. Addressing barriers such as high initial costs, limited connectivity, and low technical literacy is critical to unlocking the full potential of AI-integrated solar irrigation systems in Nigeria.
Keywords: AI-powered smart irrigation, agricultural production, climate change, sensors
©2025 Mohammed, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.