The Bauchi government says it has validated the Climate Change Policy to enhance food security in the state.
Mr. Danlami Kawule, Commissioner for Housing and Environment, stated this at a high-level workshop on climate change on Monday in Bauchi state, Northeast Nigeria.
The exercise was organised by the ministry in collaboration with OXFAM and the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP).
He highlighted the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture and food systems, precipitated by desertification and erratic rainfall, which have reduced crop yields and threatened livelihoods.
“Our green areas are disappearing, farmlands are drying up, and food production is becoming increasingly uncertain,” he said.
According to Kawule, the Bauchi State Climate Change Policy is a strategic roadmap to mitigate these impacts, build agricultural resilience, and secure long-term food security.
“Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a threat to our food supply and economic stability.
“This policy will help us protect our people and their sources of livelihood,” he said.
Dr. Michael David, Executive Director of GIFSEP, stressed the need for proactive measures to tackle climate-induced food insecurity.
He noted that farmers in the state were already experiencing the consequences of reduced harvests, hunger, and increased vulnerability.
The policy, he said, provides a framework for adaptive farming and climate-smart agriculture to improve food systems.
Also, Kenneth Akpan of OXFAM reiterated the organisation’s commitment to support grassroots climate resilience, adding that, “To end hunger, we must fight climate change.”
Earlier, Nasiru Umar, Director of Climate Change in the ministry, called for the inclusive implementation of the policy to engage women and youth, who make up the majority of the workforce in agriculture.
“They must be empowered with resources and training to adapt to the changing climate,” he said.