The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Government of Nigeria, has kicked off a major initiative to advance sustainable landscape management through its Participatory Informed Landscape Approach (PILA).
The inaugural PILA multi-stakeholder workshop, held in Calabar, Cross River State, from March 17 to 20, 2025, brought together key national and state-level actors to explore Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) strategies under the FOLUR Impact Programme (FOLUR-IP) Nigeria project. Discussions focused on landscape assessments, sustainable agri-food systems, and policy pathways for climate resilience.
Speaking at the opening event, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, Secretary to the Cross River State Government, emphasised agriculture’s pivotal role in the state’s Economic Masterplan, highlighting the region’s potential to drive food security and economic growth. He noted that youth restiveness is declining due to improved livelihoods supported by cocoa and palm oil value chains.
FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Mr. Dominique Koffy Kouacou, underscored PILA’s role in equipping stakeholders with tools for sustainable land use, climate adaptation, and policy engagement.
“These capacity-building opportunities are essential for fostering food security and resilient livelihoods, particularly in landscapes vulnerable to climate change,” he stated.
Participants also tackled critical policy issues, including compliance with the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR). PILA team lead, Laura Guarnieri, emphasised that the workshop aims to enhance awareness and empower stakeholders with practical ILM and agroecology strategies.
The PILA process integrates participatory assessments, dialogue, and consensus-building, with two key workshops planned for 2025. The second workshop will refine transition pathways, ensuring alignment with national policies and sustainability goals.
With these strategic engagements, Nigeria is making bold strides toward sustainable food systems, balancing ecological preservation with economic resilience.