Olayide, O. E.Tettehb, I. K.Popoola, L.2018-10-312018-10-312016Agricultural Water Management 178 (2016) 30–36dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2016.08.034http://ir.library.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/3655The rain-fed agriculture system is vulnerable to climate change impact. However, such impact may alsovary by aggregate and sub-sectoral levels of agricultural production. The impact of climate change andvariability on agricultural production would engender appropriate policies and practices towards a sus-tainable agricultural production system. We investigated the differential impacts of rainfall and irrigationon agricultural production in Nigeria, and drew lessons for climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in Nigeria.Using time series data that spanned 43 years and econometric analytical technique, we quantified thedifferential impacts of rainfall and irrigation on aggregate production and sub-sectors (all crops, staples,livestock, fisheries and forestry). Irrigation had positive and significant impact on aggregate agriculturalproduction as well as all sub-sectors of agriculture. These findings suggest the need for the minimizationof the impact of climate-induced production risks through CSA which would involve complementarydevelopment of more arable land areas under irrigation in Nigeria. Irrigation would also enhance com-plementary agricultural water management for the development of all the sub-sectors of agriculture,thereby enhancing food security and sustainable agricultural production under prevailing climate changeand variability.en-USAgricultural productionImpactsRainfallIrrigationClimate-smart agricultureArticle