The Federal Ministry of Agriculture And Rural Development has underscored the importance of stakeholders enabled intervention measures to mitigate incidences of flooding across the nation.
Rising from a one day Sensitisation Program for Farmers and Extension Agents on Causes, Consequences and Mitigation of Flood held at Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, Complex, Awka, the ministry recommended effective ways to check the perennial menace.
The Team Leader and Assistant Chief Agricultural Officer (FMARD), Chinyere Ihedioha, identified causes of flooding to include heavy prolonged rainfall, infiltration capacity and deforestation. He added that the essence of the event was to build capacity of participants to tackle the challenge.
Checkmating flood through tree planting
Members of the team who took turns to speak during the program called for needed support services for communities suffering consequences of floods every year to relocate permanently.
They called for awareness among the people on the efficiency of tree planting in preventing floods.
While canvassing for healthy agricultural practices to protect the soil from flooding, the Desk Officer, FMARD, Vincent Okeke said there was need for synergy to prevent socio economic effects occasioned by the disaster.
Effecting change
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor, represented by the Programme Manager, Agricultural Development Project, Mr. Jude Nwankwo, described the event as apt and urged participants to make good use of knowledge gained to effect positive changes.
One of the participants, Mr Godwin Akujieze, lauded the organizers for considering it proper to stage the event and urged them to make it a regular exercise so as to fully impact on their lives and the community.
Emmanuel Ukoh
