Don Tasks Agric Players On Global Warming For Food Security

Key players in the Agriculture sector play their part in mitigating the effects of climate change which is becoming a major threat to agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria.

Professor Saminu Abdulrahman Ibrahim, the northeast zonal coordinator of the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science made the call at a one day workshop organised by the institute, in the state capital.

According to a report, Nigeria is particularly vulnerable to climate change as 70% of the country’s population relies on rain-fed agriculture.

The workshop with the theme “Climate Smart Agricultural practices ” brings together farmers and extension agents from Bauchi and Gombe state.

The coordinator noted that stakeholders such as policymakers, non-governmental organisations, farmers associations, the media, as well as traditional and religious leaders have a vital role to play in speeding up communication and raising awareness towards subduing the effects of climate change.

The Soil scientist called on policymakers to develop an overall plan that will integrate the contents of climate change in the educational curriculum of secondary schools up to the tertiary level.

In his presentation on Climate-Smart Agriculture: Nutrients and Water Management to enhance agriculture, Professor Hassan A Muhammad highlights the effect of improper fertilizer application which according to him is contributing to climate change.

Professor Hassan Muhammad, therefore, advocated for the proper organic manure to save the climate and increase productivity.

On the role of mixed farming in climate-smart agriculture, Professor Garba Aliyu Babaji emphasized the need for mixed farming as the only way to reduce the loss incurred by farmers due to climate change.

On his part, the program manager Bauchi state agricultural development program Alhaji Abubakar Ja’afaru Ilelah appreciated the participants for honouring the invitation and called on them to step down the knowledge to others.

One of the participants Hon. Mohammad Aminu Tukur who is a farmer blamed the government for not doing enough in fighting climate change where he said the Bauchi state government lack extension agents that will educate people of the rural areas on ways to fight climate change.

The participants were also presented with certificates at the end of the workshop.