Climate Change: Experts urge farmers to adopt various adaptation strategies

Environmental and agricultural specialists have urged Nigerian farmers to integrate the many climate adaption measures in order to raise income and improve food security for the teeming population.

They made the call during a workshop on the Climate Adaptation Support Programme that was put together by AKADEMIYA2063, in collaboration with the Resource and Environmental Policy Research Center at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Global Centre on Adaptation in Abuja.

Dr. Nnaemeka Chukwuone, the director of the center, stated that they aimed to validate research findings in order to enable Nigeria’s execution of the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

Chukwuone noted that empirical evidence showed that small-holder farmers fared better when they adopt multiple climate strategies, such as diversified cropping system, use of improved seedlings, and the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers.

In order to enhance farmers’ income, he called for the adoption of one of the techniques, saying the highest farm income would be attained when farmers embrace all the practices together, rather than partially.

Dr. Henry Okoduwa, an associate researcher at REPRC-EfD Nigeria, also stated: “Climate change will reduce Nigeria’s economic output, in terms of Gross Domestic Product, by 4.2%,” adding that the simulation scenarios are created through a thorough review of the literature already in existence to gather evidence on the effects of climate change and available adaptation options on agricultural productivity.

Dr. Mahamadou Tankari, another expert, noted that the programme’s main goal was to provide data and frameworks for analysis to address important problems about climate adaptation in Nigeria and other African nations.

In addition, he said, it would direct interventions and priority measures that might contribute in achieving the goals of the various governmental initiatives for climate adaptation.