From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has launched a project to build climate resilience for rice and livestock systems in Nasarawa and Benue states. The project, funded by the European Union and GIZ, aims to help farmers adapt to changes in climate.
According to Richardson Okechukwu, Project Manager for IITA during his remarks yesterday at the Ta’al Conference Hotel, Lafia stated that the project conducted a study that analyzed 60 years of weather data in Nasarawa state and predicted the next 50 years of weather patterns. The findings indicate that there will be more drastic and erratic weather changes, with flooding expected to occur every four to three years.
Okechukwu emphasized the need for farmers to diversify and adopt climate-smart practices, such as planting resilient and improved crop varieties. “Farmers need to be prepared for the changing climate, and this requires a coordinated approach by government, farmers, and other stakeholders,” he said.
The project has extended invitations to state governments, the National House of Assembly, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, universities, and farmers’ associations to collaborate and implement the findings. Ikechukwu stressed the importance of mechanization and support from the government to access improved seeds and planting materials.
“The government needs to support farmers in accessing improved seeds and planting materials, and mechanization is key to reducing the time spent on land preparation and increasing food production,” Ikechukwu said.
He also emphasized the need for tree planting to prevent soil erosion and silting of rivers. “Trees will help hold the soil and prevent silting of our rivers, and this requires a coordinated approach by government foresters,” he added.
The project aims to promote climate-resilient agriculture and improve the livelihoods of farmers in Nasarawa and Benue states. Ikechukwu expressed optimism that the project will have a widespread impact and help farmers adapt to the changing climate.
The European Union Representative, Mr. Hugh Briggs, commended the Nasarawa State Government for providing an enabling environment for the implementation of the climate resilience project. Briggs expressed his gratitude to the government, German Cooperation, Nasarawa State University, and other stakeholders for their commitment to the project.
“I’m very happy that the government is willing to do more. We’re excited about the project’s positive trend, which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the government, university, and other stakeholders,” Briggs said.
He noted that the project has identified areas where the state government can improve and has also seen positive takeaways, which the EU is excited about.
Briggs emphasized the importance of learning from the project’s successes and challenges to inform future projects. “This project is a pilot project, and we want to learn from it. We’ll look at what this project has done, and we can learn from it,” he said.
The EU Representative also commended the state government’s commitment to security, which has enabled farmers to return to their farms and cultivate. “I’m happy that the government is doing a lot in terms of security, and farmers are beginning to go back to their farms. This is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priorities of security and food security,” Briggs said.
Briggs announced that the EU is expected to launch another project in Nigeria before the end of the year, which will target the production belt and marketing of agricultural products. “Nasarawa state is part of the production belt, and we’re confident that the successes we’re having in this project will be replicated in the EU support project,” he said.
Mr. Altamirano Valdivia Ozman Franz, representative from German Cooperation, GIZ, commended the climate resilience project in Nasarawa and Benue states, Nigeria.
In his remarks at the event, Franz emphasized the importance of climate-smart agriculture in addressing the challenges of climate change.
“The project has demonstrated the potential of climate-resilient agriculture in improving the livelihoods of farmers in Nasarawa and Benue states.
He said they are proud to be part of this initiative, which aligns with their goal of supporting sustainable development in Nigeria while noting that the project’s focus on improving agricultural productivity, enhancing resilience, and promoting climate-smart practices which is crucial in addressing the impacts of climate change.
Franz commended the Nasarawa state government, the European Union, and other stakeholders for their commitment to the project’s success. “The partnership between the state government, EU, and GIZ has been instrumental in achieving the project’s objectives,” he said.
“We look forward to continued collaboration to scale up the project’s impact and promote sustainable agriculture in Nigeria.”
In an interview, Mr. Samuel Meshin, former chairman of the All Farmers Association in Nigeria, Nasarawa state, emphasized the need to employ more extension workers to raise awareness about environmental protection and sustainable farming practices.
He expressed concern over the degradation of the environment due to harmful practices such as the use of chemicals for fishing, which affects water bodies and leads to river drying up.
Meshin also lamented the indiscriminate felling of trees in Nasarawa state, despite laws against it, and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect the environment. He urged the government to set up a proactive mechanism to save the environment and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
“The government needs to take decisive action to protect our environment,” Meshin said. “We need extension workers to educate farmers on sustainable practices, and we need stronger laws to prevent environmental degradation.”
Sun Reports that a panel dialogue featuring experts in agriculture and climate change convened to discuss the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on farming practices.
The consensus among the experts was clear: climate change is real, and it’s time to change the narrative and pattern of farming. They emphasized the need for farmers to diversify their agricultural practices and adopt smart agriculture methods to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The experts stressed the importance of integrating trees into farming practices, a method known as agroforestry. By growing crops alongside trees, farmers can protect the temperature of the water and enhance the fertility of the land.
This approach they said also helps to reduce soil erosion, increase biodiversity, and promote ecosystem services. The experts encouraged farmers to embrace this sustainable farming practice to ensure a resilient and food-secure future.
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