Agriculture and environment professionals in Nigeria have pledged to combat the growing challenges of climate change with innovative solutions after completing a four-day training organized by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the ‘SUSTAIN International’ scheme. The training, held in Port Harcourt, focused on equipping participants with cutting-edge skills to enhance agricultural resilience and sustainability.
Participants emphasized the importance of developing and deploying climate-resilient seeds to mitigate the adverse effects of harsh weather conditions and extended dry seasons. They committed to applying their newly acquired expertise to agricultural projects across Nigeria, ensuring grassroots farmers benefit directly from these advancements.
The training, rooted in IFAD’s Social, Environmental, and Climate Assessment Programme (SECAP), drew experts from various sectors, including IFAD initiatives like LIFE-ND, VCDP, and SAPZ, as well as state and federal ministries. Facilitators included global experts like Jenean Pretorius from Clear AA, South Africa, who provided insights on adapting agricultural practices to climate realities.
Key outcomes of the training included:
- The formation of a SECAP community of practice to foster continuous learning and knowledge exchange.
- Integration of SECAP standards into agricultural projects to ensure compliance with social, environmental, and climate safeguards.
- Stakeholder engagement strategies emphasizing updated data and practical implementation.
Participants resolved to extend these solutions to state-level policymakers and farmer organizations to amplify their impact. They also highlighted the importance of early problem identification and rapid response to issues like flooding, off-season rains, and prolonged dry spells.
Gbemigo Watigere, National Environment and Climate Change Officer for LIFE-ND, praised the program’s practical approach, noting its potential to drive widespread adoption of climate-smart practices. Joseph Monday from VCDP, Nasarawa State, shared plans to incorporate SECAP procedures into his training activities, while Priscilla Achakpa, a consultant and facilitator, emphasized the significance of monitoring and evaluation aligned with SECAP standards.
The training, part of a global IFAD initiative spanning 59 countries, states Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging innovative strategies to address the climate crisis and safeguard food security.
