Bothered about the fact that climate change impact is negatively affecting agricultural productivity and resulting in food insecurity, a group of stakeholders has attempted to devise measures to tackle the worrisome trend.
At a forum themed: “Climate Change as a Security Threat – Food Security in Nigeria: Addressing a Multidimensional Security Threat” and held in Lagos from October 25 to 26, 2023, at the instance of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Nigeria Office, participants appear to have adopted a multi-faceted approach towards addressing the growing concern.
For instance, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, suggested that Nigeria’s model of agriculture needs to be climate resilient.
“We must promote climate-smart agricultural practices, such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and improved irrigation techniques, which can enhance soil health and resilience to climate change and improve food production. Conservation agriculture techniques that enhance soil health,” she stated.
According to her, the nation must encourage diversification of income sources and livelihoods beyond agriculture to help reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts on food security. This, she added, might involve promoting alternative income-generating activities, such as small-scale businesses or non-farm employment opportunities.
Oshodi continued: “In managing our water resources, we must foster practices in sustainable water management, including efficient irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and water conservation measures, that can help mitigate the impacts of water scarcity on agricultural productivity.
“Our disaster preparedness must be strengthened. Anticipating early warning systems and disaster preparedness can help communities respond to climate-related risks. This includes timely dissemination of weather information, contingency planning, and support for emergency response mechanisms.
“Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Enhancing the capacity of farmers and agricultural extension services through training and knowledge sharing is crucial. This includes providing farmers with information on climate-smart practices, sustainable land management techniques, and access to improved seeds and technologies.
“Regarding policy and institutional support, developing and implementing procedures prioritising climate change adaptation and mitigation in the agricultural sector is crucial. This involves integrating climate change considerations into national and regional development plans, providing financial and technical support to farmers, and fostering collaboration among relevant stakeholders.”
By addressing the security threat of climate change on food security through these measures, Oshodi submitted that Nigeria can enhance its resilience, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure sustainable food production and availability in the face of a changing climate.
She, however, added that the nation must start from the little beginnings.
Her words: “As we approach the yuletide season, we must reflect on our traditions’ environmental and climate change impact. While this season brings happiness and warmth, it also brings certain activities and behaviours that can contribute to environmental degradation.
“Bearing that consumption patterns will be high as we approach the festive season, let us be mindful of waste generation, from packaging to food waste. We can make a difference by adopting more sustainable practices, such as reducing single-use plastics, recycling and composting waste and opting for eco-friendly packaging options.
“We must trigger awareness and consciousness in our little corners whilst we exemplify the values of climate resilience in our lifestyle choices.”
Speaking on “Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food Security in Nigeria: Challenges and Adaptation Strategies”, Ken Henshaw of We The People suggested that governments should integrate issues of climate change as well as adaptation strategies into development plan since the climate change risks is not agriculture development (food security) but to the country’s general development and sustenance.
“There is need for policy direction for mitigating climate change in order to improve and sustain food security for agricultural productivity which would include improved land management, adjustment of planting dates, and introduction of new crop varieties,” he said, adding that public enlightenment on climate change would improve the knowledge of climate change and its management to farmers and communities at large.
He urged the authorities to assist farmers with facilities, loans, technical services, and capacity to adapt to climate change and other degradation in environmental quality, adding:
“Real solutions to the climate crisis must leverage on the collective experiences, knowledge resilience, voices and actions of people from frontlines communities who engage the impacts firsthand.”
Rinmicit Temlong-Aboki, in a presentation on “Climate Smart Agriculture”, believes that climate-smart agriculture (CSA) must be mainstreamed into core government policy, expenditure and planning frameworks.
“To be effective, CSA policies must contribute to broader economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development goals. They must also be integrated with disaster risk management strategies, actions, and social safety net programmes,” she stated.
According to her, coordination and integration between various sectors dealing with climate change, agricultural development and food security at national, regional and local levels is a crucial requirement for creating an enabling policy environment.
