From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Climate resilient advocates and Non Governmental Organisations, (NGOs), have called on Benue State and other governments in North-Central Nigeria to encourage and invest in Climate-Resilient Agricultural Practices to ensure food security in the country.
The call was made at the Global Week of Action Town Hall meeting organised by Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI) in collaboration with the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet); with the theme, “Strengthening Rural Farmers’ Adaptation to Climate Change for Resilience Building and Food Security in North-Central Nigeria.
The Coordinator, Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI), National Gender and North Central Focal Point Nigeria, Elizabeth Jeiyol, who noted that smallholder farmers, especially women, form the backbone of our agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the nation’s food security and economic stability, lamented that these farmers, are disproportionately affected by the increasing challenges posed by climate change, fluctuating market conditions, and limited access to resources and technology.
She urge the Benue State and other governments in North-Central Nigeria to prioritise and invest in initiatives aimed at building the resilience of smallholder farmers, with a specific focus on women farmers.
“By doing so, we can empower these vital contributors to not only withstand the challenges they face but also thrive in the ever-changing agricultural landscape.
She named key areas for investment to include include climate-resilient agriculture practices by adopting climate-smart farming techniques, resilient crop varieties, and sustainable water management practices to mitigate the impact of climate change on crop yields.
She said government can also facilitate easy access to modern agricultural tools, quality seeds, and fertilisers, promote use of technology for efficient farm management, market information, and financial inclusion and develop rural infrastructure such as roads, storage facilities, and market linkages to reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access, and enhance the overall efficiency of the agricultural value chain.
“By prioritising these initiatives, we can create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector that not only benefits individual farmers but contributes to the broader goals of poverty reduction, gender equality, and overall national development,” she said
Speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor Hyacinth Alia on Agriculture and Climate Change, Prof. Bemgba Anjembi said the State Government is developing an application for farmers registration in the state.
Anjembi assured that with the development of the application, government can ascertain the actual number of famers in the state with a view to partnering with them.
He advised the Benue people to desist from continuous falling of trees and bush burning to maintain a better future for the environment.
Also speaking, the National Network Coordinator of Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), Mr Umoru Ameh, said the negative impacts of climate variability and change have forced seasonal or permanent migration of rural households in highly vulnerable areas.
“Given the fact that many developing countries have no comprehensive plan for managing rural to urban migration, continuation of the current trend can cause a socio-economic crisis in urban areas such as extensive poverty, unemployment, and increase of crimes.
“Therefore, to reduce the destructive effects of climate variability and change and ensure food security, it is imperative to enhance the resilience of rural households to weather extremes and the Global Week of Climate Action serves as an opportune moment to catalyse positive change and foster a sustainable future for our agricultural communities to contribute to resilience building and food security here in Benue State.”
Ameh, who is also the Finance and Admin Officer, said climate change has constantly affected rural agricultural communities, noting that the town hall meeting is to create sensitisation and awareness campaign through effective communication that would enhanced a better rural farmers adaption to climate Change for Resilience Building and Food Security around North Central communities.
In their separate remarks, representatives of Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Creativity, that of Agriculture as well as Head of Geography Department, Benue State University, all spoke on the need to adapt to positive steps towards climate change to enhance food security in the country.
The Commissioner of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon Odoh Ugwu, represented by Mary Ugboho, a Director in the ministry, particularly encouraged climate actions such as tree planting, use of efficient cooking stoves, rain water harvesting, climate smart constructions as well as paying attention to weather forecast for climate information.
Present at the event includes representatives of smallholder female farmers, members of academia, Media organisations, Civil Society Organisations, youths as well as Non Governmental Organisations, among others.