2,000 Yobe farmers to benefit from UNDP/GEF climate change project

2,000 Yobe farmers to benefit from UNDP/GEF climate change project

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environmental Facility (GEF) have launched a climate change adaptation project in Majakura community, Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The project, titled Sustainable Farmers-led Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change, is being implemented by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) under the Small Grants Programme (SGP).

No fewer than 2,000 farmers are expected to benefit from the one-year programme.

Project Officer, NCF-Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands Conservation Project, Mr Harry Hanson Junior, made the disclosure 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.

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.

Earlier, 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.

According to him, agriculture goes beyond crop production, noting that youths could serve as knowledge partners, service providers and processors along the chain.

“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.

“This way, farmers can pay for the services, and the processors earn income, thereby creating a win-win situation,” Kamara said.

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The IITA station head said he had worked for over 25 years in agricultural development across Borno, Bauchi, Kano and Katsina States, creating impacts through youth empowerment and community programmes.

Also speaking, the Agricultural Officer from Nguru along side the Village Head of Majakura, Alhaji Lawan Bamai, in their separate remarks thanked the organisers for the intervention.

They said the project would enhance resilience, improve livelihoods and strengthen food security in the fragile ecosystem.

Some of the participants who spoke to NAN commended the development partners for the initiative and promised to step down the knowledge to others.