The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have kicked off a new climate adaptation project in Majakura, a farming community in northeastern Nigeria’s Yobe State.
This initiative, called the Sustainable Farmers-led Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change, is run by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) with support from the Small Grants Programme (SGP).
The goal? To help around 2,000 farmers build resilience in one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable areas to climate change. This one-year project will provide farmers with tools, knowledge, and sustainable practices to better manage the effects of climate change.
Mr. Harry Hanson Junior, a Project Officer with NCF, shared insights during a visit to the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Kano. He noted that the project targets a diverse group of beneficiaries, including crop farmers, livestock keepers, women, and youth from ten communities within Majakura Ward of Nguru.
“Climatic changes are challenging food production,” Hanson pointed out. He highlighted issues such as water scarcity, recurrent droughts, and pest infestations as significant threats to agriculture.
He emphasized the importance of sustainable agroforestry management strategies, which combine various technologies and methods to adapt to semi-arid climates. The aim is to strengthen both farmers and pastoralists in the region.
Dr. Alpha Kamara, Head of Station at IITA Kano, encouraged young people to explore opportunities in agriculture. “Youth can provide vital services to farmers, especially in pest and weed management,” he said. He added that younger generations could assist in selecting the right agricultural chemicals and offer spraying services to optimize crop yield.
There’s a growing trend on social media highlighting similar adaptation efforts across Africa, showing a strong community response to climate change challenges. According to a recent survey, around 70% of farmers in vulnerable regions express the need for innovative agricultural techniques to combat climate change impacts.
These responses show that initiatives like the one in Majakura are not just necessary—they’re part of a larger conversation on how communities can adapt and thrive despite increasingly difficult conditions.
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Climate Change,Global Environmental Facility,Nigerian Conservation Foundation,United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
