The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have launched a new climate adaptation initiative in Majakura, a farming community in Yobe State, northeastern Nigeria.
The project, known as the Sustainable Farmers-led Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change, is being implemented by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) through the Small Grants Programme (SGP).
Designed to strengthen resilience in one of Nigeria’s most climate-vulnerable regions, the one-year initiative will support at least 2,000 farmers with tools, knowledge and sustainable practices to cope with the effects of climate change.
Project Officer of the NCF-Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands Conservation Project, Mr Harry Hanson Junior, stated this during an exposure visit of beneficiaries to the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano Station, on Friday.
Hanson explained that the beneficiaries, comprising crop farmers, livestock rearers, women and youth, were drawn from 10 communities in Majakura Ward of Nguru.
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According to him, changing climatic conditions continue to threaten food production in fragile ecosystems through water scarcity, recurrent droughts, floods and pest infestations.
“The project is designed to promote sustainable agroforestry management strategies for semi-arid regions through integrated technologies and practices.
“It aims to build resilience among farmers and pastoralists in the community,” Hanson said.
The Head of Station, IITA Kano, Dr Alpha Kamara, urged youths to take advantage of opportunities in the agricultural value chain to improve their livelihoods.
“Young people can be trained to provide services for farmers who lack the know-how in pest, disease and weed control.
“They can also guide farmers on the right chemicals to buy and provide spraying services for crops,” Kamara said.
He added that youths could also explore processing services by using machines for feed and crop processing after harvest.