Key Discussions From The 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum – Day 2
By Abubakar Mohammed, Maiduguri
The second day of the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum, held in Maiduguri, focused on environmental and security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin. Key speakers addressed climate change, food security, and sustainable solutions, emphasizing the need for regional and international cooperation.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State: The Need for Climate-Resilient Solutions
Governor Zulum raised concerns over Africa’s approach to food security, noting that discussions often focus on quantity rather than quality. He stressed that food security should include both availability and nutritional value.
Addressing climate vulnerabilities, he highlighted that Borno and the broader Lake Chad region receive less than 500mm of rainfall annually, with some areas experiencing as little as 250mm.
This makes irrigation a necessity for agriculture. He also pointed out the impact of flooding, which has destroyed farmlands, led to livestock losses, and caused disease outbreaks.
To tackle these challenges, Governor Zulum proposed:
- Upgrading Alau Dam with climate-smart infrastructure to manage water levels.
- Establishing early warning systems to mitigate flood risks.
- Investing in climate-resilient seeds to improve crop yields.
- Implementing community-based adaptation strategies tailored to local conditions.
- Expanding water harvesting technologies for better water resource management.
He praised international partners like the World Food Programme, UNHCR, IOM, and WHO for their humanitarian support but emphasized the need for long-term climate adaptation strategies to ensure sustainable development.
Koffy Dominique Kauacou, FAO Representative a.i. in Nigeria & ECOWAS: Addressing Food Insecurity.
Koffy Dominique Kauacou, the FAO Representative a.i. in Nigeria & ECOWAS, highlighted the ongoing challenges in developing agriculture in Nigeria and the broader West African region.
He acknowledged the collective efforts being made to ensure food reaches people’s tables daily, emphasizing that food security is a fundamental human right.
He also expressed gratitude to Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and other regional leaders for their collaboration in addressing agricultural challenges.
He pointed out that despite various interventions, food insecurity in West Africa has worsened significantly.
In 2020, 15 million people in the region faced food insecurity, but today, that number has risen to 50 million, an increase of 35 million in just five years.
He attributed this alarming trend to three key factors: conflict, climate change, and economic shocks, all of which have severely impacted food production, distribution, and access.
Focusing on climate change, Kauacou stressed that unpredictable weather patterns, droughts, and floods are devastating agricultural productivity.
He called for urgent action from governments, international partners, and stakeholders to develop sustainable climate-smart agricultural solutions.
Despite these challenges, he remained hopeful that with continued collaboration and investment, the goal of zero hunger by 2030 can still be achieved.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State: Addressing Environmental and Security Crises
Governor Fintiri underscored the severity of the Lake Chad crisis, describing it as a global challenge requiring urgent action.
He noted that Lake Chad has shrunk by 90% over the last 60 years, primarily due to climate change, irrigation, dam construction, and population growth.
This environmental decline has led to:
- Reduced agricultural productivity and declining fish stocks.
- Increased competition for water resources, leading to tensions.
- Mass displacement, poverty, and malnutrition in affected communities.
- A rise in gender-based violence and weakened governance structures.
Governor Fintiri called for stronger international engagement and meaningful interventions to restore Lake Chad and support affected populations.
Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari: Boosting Agricultural Productivity
Minister Kyari emphasized the need to improve agricultural productivity as arable land continues to shrink.
He shared insights from his recent visit to Egypt, where researchers have developed 63 varieties of climate-resilient seeds, capable of yielding up to 10 tons per hectare, compared to Nigeria’s 2 tons per hectare.
To bridge this gap, he outlined key strategies:
- Advancing research on climate-resilient crops.
- Enhancing soil health and increasing fertilizer application.
- Training agricultural extension workers on modern farming techniques.
The minister also highlighted government efforts, including:
- The distribution of 2.15 million bags of fertilizer and 200 trailers of food supplies (rice, maize, sorghum, and millet) to support farmers.
- A biometric-based ID system in collaboration with NIMC, to track farm ownership and ensure transparency in agricultural interventions.
He emphasized that food security must go beyond just availability to include affordability and nutritional quality, echoing Governor Zulum’s earlier remarks.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
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