Kebbi farmers cautioned on climate change

Farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector in Kebbi State have been told to always take into consideration the adverse effects of climate change on agricultural production.

This was highlighted in Birnin Kebbi during a one-day sensitization workshop organised for small-scale farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector of the state by Oxfam, an international organisation working to eradicate poverty through agriculture, and West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP).

During the presentation of the report on a research carried out in some selected states in the northern part of the country, Kebbi inclusive, small-scale farmers - particularly women - have been identified to be most vulnerable to climate fluctuations and extreme weather conditions because of their dependence largely on rainfall and seasonal agriculture.

The implication of this, according the report, was increased hunger, poverty and even violent clashes.

Titilope Ayosai, the Executive Director of the Center for 24 Century Issues, while presenting the report at the workshop, recommended the development of irrigation system through sustainable watershed management to promote all season farming and effective early warning system with accurate and timely climate change information services to protect farmers among others.

She also pointed out that farmers in Kebbi State were faced with the challenges of access to credit and technology to help them boost their farming activities.

The Oxfam coordinator in Kebbi State, Olumide Ojo, while answering questions from journalists, his organisation was working in 93 countries with the sole aim of achieving a just world without poverty.

He said Oxfam and its partners in the state were piloting a programme in three local government areas of Birnin Kebbi, Jega and Danko Wasagu to support farmers with inputs and skills to improve agriculture in order to fight poverty.

“In Kebbi we are working on a project called Pro Silence Action for Food Security and Livelihood in Northern Nigeria. We are targeting 35,000 small-holder farmers across three local government areas,” he said.

He added that 25,000 bags of fertilizer have been distributed to farmers in the state. "We have also established 372 village savings and loan scheme which aims at helping the farmers to mobilise funds for themselves," he said. said