Introduction Food is an essential human need and a major source of nutrients for existence. It is also of high importance for human overall well-being and economic productivity. As the world’s population grows, it becomes increasingly necessary to enhance food production and ensure sustainability (Ozden and Saadet, 2024). Food security is a situation in which humans always have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meet their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life. The major constituents of food security include the availability, access and utilization of food. Nutrition is the bridge between agriculture and health. Yet malnutrition remains the world`s most serious health problem and the single biggest contributor to death (Chiemela et al., 2022). Lack of market access, underdeveloped agricultural sector, infections in crops, lack of new technologies for easier evaluation has made food security challenging in developing countries, especially in Africa. Two billion people are thought to either be suffering from hunger or experiencing food insecurity, which is the inability to regularly obtain enough food that is safe, nourishing, and sufficient. All types of malnutrition are significantly influenced by food insecurity (Florence Egal, 2019). Despite numerous attempts to address the issues, the national and state levels of Nigeria's food and nutrition security crisis have not been sufficiently and critically examined. To increase food production and security in the nation, the government has to implement several agricultural productivity projects and programs. However, these programs' outcomes are subpar. As the populations continue to increase globally, agricultural productivity will be challenged to keep pace without overtaxing important environmental resources. The objective of this paper is to review the dynamic and integrated approach required to solve global food insecurity and position agriculture on a trajectory toward sustainability (Chiemela et al., 2022). Methodology To investigate the integration of sustainable agricultural practices with smart grid systems and hydropower energy towards enhancing food security, a qualitative approach is adopted. This methodology explored and conducted a comprehensive literature review using academic databases such as Academia, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar. The aim was to understand smart grid architecture and its relevance to rural farming communities, review hydropower applications in agriculture and identify documented links between energy access and food security. Result and discussion To scale smart grid-integrated hydropower systems for agriculture, the following policies are essential, subsidies and Incentives to offset capital costs and attract investment, Capacity Building like training programs for technicians and farmers, research and development that supports innovation in energy-agriculture integration. Through research, policy reforms, and stakeholder collaboration, nations can work towards resilient and sustainable food systems for present and future generations. Government policies and awareness should be enhanced to increase the involvement of investors and stakeholders to fund hydropower initiatives and smart farming to be able to develop more irrigation systems, improving grid connections in remote agricultural regions, and promoting education for farmers on smart grid farming techniques in the agricultural sector. By integrating hydropower energy and smart grid technologies, improvements in sustainable agricultural practices can be achieved, resulting in enhanced food security. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action among governments, private sector, and development agencies. Conclusion The integration of smart grid technology with hydropower energy offers a transformative pathway toward achieving global food security through sustainable agriculture. By providing consistent and reliable energy for essential farming activities, this innovative approach boosts agricultural productivity, minimizes resource wastage, and supports environmental sustainability. Realizing its full potential, however, requires strategic investments in infrastructure, supportive policies, and targeted educational initiatives. The synergy between smart grids and hydropower systems strengthens the resilience of agricultural operations against climate variability, ensures efficient resource management, and fosters the development of sustainable and nutritious food systems. Keywords: Smart Grid Integration, Agriculture, Food Security, Hydropower Energy, Productivity
Anuoluwapo A. Adeyanju, Sunday S. Olowofela