Stakeholders on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, in Abuja decried the increasing level of soil degradation in Africa which impacts negatively on food security.
Rep. Sam Onuigbo, Chairman, Security, Special Interventions and Climate Change, North-East Development Commission (NEDC), spoke at a two-day workshop on “Climate Smart Soil Practices for improved Food Security” organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).
“The degradation of our soils, especially in Africa, is a pressing concern that impacts not only on our food security but also on our ability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate.
“The UN has recognised the critical link between climate change and food security.
“The UN Resolution of Dec. 20, 2013, reaffirmed that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time particularly developing countries are vulnerable to the adverse impacts,” Onuigbo said.
He added that increased efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development emphasised that adaptation to climate change represented an immediate and urgent global priority.
On his part, Rep. Chris Nkwonta, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, said that soils were integral to the functions of all terrestrial ecosystems and to increased and sustainable food production.
Nkwonta, who was represented by Dr Chidi Nwankpa, said that conscious efforts must be made by relevant institutional and statutory agencies to adequately respond to and mitigate the adverse effects of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food Production.
“Climate change is currently disrupting agriculture and food production in every corner of the world, from droughts or floods that damage crops to rising seas and other environmental pollution that threaten rural and agricultural communities.
“In the context of climate change, agriculture faces complex and unique problems; crop production is directly dependent on natural resources, weather and climatic conditions.
“As a result of raising temperatures, variable rainfalls, environmental pollution, invasive and alien species of pest and other unpredictable environmental factors have invariably exposed farmers and agricultural communities to several challenges.’’
He said that the aforementioned environmental challenges adversely affected farmers as food production tend to worsen as climate change issues accelerated globally.
“My understanding of climate smart soil and agriculture is invariably an approach to appropriately transform farming with the aim of delivering positive outcomes on the basis of adaptations and mitigations to support and improve food security under the new realities of global Climate Change.
“Accordingly, the workshop is very key and timely in view of the current environmental and climate challenges occasioned by the global climate change,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr Salisu Dahiru, Director-General, NCCC, said that the immense potential of healthy soils was a solution to both food security and climate change.
He said that the soil played a vital role in shaping the future of the nation and the world at large.
“Healthy soils are not only fertile ground for sustainable agriculture but also act as carbon sinks, sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
“By nurturing and restoring the health of our soils, we can simultaneously enhance agricultural productivity, increase resilience to climate change impacts, and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change.
“This validation workshop serves as a vital platform for us to collectively evaluate, refine, and validate the strategies, technologies, and policies that will guide our actions towards a sustainable future.’’
The director-general said that the state of soils directly impacted the ability to feed a growing global population, adapt to a changing climate, and mitigate its effects.
“It is a complex challenge that requires the prioritisation of Adaptation and Climate Smart Agriculture in line with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as well as a holistic approach, collaboration, and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders involved.”
He said that the updated NDC 2021 showed that Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use sector continued to be critical in the move to a low carbon and climate-resilient economy.
“NDC Climate Smart Agriculture plans aims to sustainably increase agriculture production, enhance food security and development using an integrated approach.
“Soil degradation, loss of arable land, and declining agricultural productivity pose significant threats to global food security,” he said.
By Abigael Joshua
