Experts Advocate “Smart Farming Practices” to Combat Climate Change, Improve Productivity, and Enhance Food Security
By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: Agriculture experts have emphasized the urgent need for “smart farming practices” as a crucial strategy to combat climate change, enhance productivity, and improve food security in Nigeria. They warned that without proactive measures, more than 52 percent of the country’s agricultural production could be at risk by 2050.
The experts, convened under the auspices of The Society of Action in Nigeria (SCAN) in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt, made these observations during a recent workshop for women and youth leaders in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
Dr. Clara Ifeanyiobi, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Development Studies at the University of Port Harcourt and the project lead, highlighted the workshop’s aim to equip farmers with adaptive skills to mitigate the impacts of climate change. She noted that the project, funded by a micro grant from the Adaptation Research Alliance to SCAN, in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was pivotal in empowering farmers with skills necessary for sustainable agribusiness practices.
Dr. Ifeanyiobi underscored the importance of integrating these skills into agribusiness, emphasizing that it could avert significant losses associated with climate change and lead to positive livelihood changes for farmers. She stated, “Today’s training is tailored to the identified areas of need, which is majorly in the area of crop and soil management practices for cassava, maize, and vegetable farming.”
Moreover, she expressed optimism about a significant improvement in this year’s harvest, citing the program’s track record of equipping farmers with climate-smart agricultural practices over the past decade. Dr. Ifeanyiobi highlighted the collaborative efforts with key agencies such as the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IIT) as critical to the program’s success.
As part of the workshop, improved crop varieties, including cassava stems and maize (SC-526), were distributed to participants, mainly farmers, from the 23 local government areas of the state. Dr. Doris Akachukwu, a Senior Lecturer at the Michael Opara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, emphasized the need for the Federal Government to leverage the country’s agricultural resources to address the current food crises. She urged a shift towards more substantial commitment and funding for agriculture to ensure food sufficiency and create employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.
Dr. Bassey Udom, an Associate Professor and soil scientist at the University of Port Harcourt, highlighted the importance of the training in innovative soil practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change. He also called on the Federal Government to prioritize security, which he identified as crucial to agricultural prosperity in the country.
The workshop featured various resource persons, including soil scientists and crop scientists, who provided solutions to challenges faced by participants, ranging from poor commitment to agriculture to lack of basic techniques, seedlings, and environmental pollution. The experts’ consensus underscored the critical role of “smart farming practices” in ensuring sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.
