Stakeholders in Niger State have called for immediate collective action to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, farmers, and the economy to ensure a sustainable future.
They made the call during a collaborative meeting organised by the Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, in partnership with the Ministry for Environment and value chain actors on climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, held in Minna.
The stakeholders highlighted the recent devastating flood that ravaged two communities in Mokwa—claiming many lives, destroying properties, and wiping out sources of livelihood, as evidence of the urgent need for action.
The Director of Climate Change in the Ministry for Environment, Isah Mohammed, noted that developed countries account for 96 per cent of the causes of climate change, while Africa contributes only 4 per cent.
He stressed that climate change has come to stay and that mitigating its impact is crucial, pointing out: “In order to tackle some of these issues, the Niger State Government has initiated programmes towards mitigation and adaptation to ensure sustainable development.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Mathew Ahmed, represented by Dr Celestina Bature, urged farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, such as planting diverse crops, efficient water management, and expanding market access, among others.
She advised farmers to plant a variety of crops to reduce losses resulting from climate-related disruptions.
The coordinator to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago on VCDP, Alhaji Nasiru Aliyu Bawa-Allah, also outlined challenges associated with climate change, including land degradation, deforestation, and desertification. These, he said, are pushing herders to migrate from the North to the South, leading to frequent conflicts with farmers across the country.
He encouraged farmers to take their agricultural enterprises seriously and strive to increase productivity.
Some VCDP beneficiaries from Kontagora, Bida, and Shiroro areas of the state commended the agency for the support provided, which they said has enhanced their production capacity and financial stability.
They requested regular updates on weather forecasts to guide their planting schedules and called for continued advocacy on the importance of acquiring quality seeds to improve yields.
Furthermore, the state coordinator of VCDP, Hajiya Hadizat Isah, explained that the meeting was convened to foster collaboration with the Ministry for Environment on climate change-related issues.
She also emphasised the importance of sustainability and post-project support for farmers after VCDP’s exit, including the provision of updates on climate-resilient crops, access to alternative energy sources, and the conversion of agricultural waste into wealth, among other measures.
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