The South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) and ActionAid Nigeria have joined forces to empower farmers in three Enugu communities with agro-ecology training and improved palm-fruit seedlings.
The initiative aims to combat the impact of climate change on agriculture while promoting sustainable and resilient farming practices.
The three communities benefitting from the program are Oduma Achara community in Aninri council area, Ihenyi community in Isi-Uzo council area, and Umuogili community in Igbo Eze council area.
Over the course of three days, the farmers underwent agro-ecology training in established model farms, equipping them with knowledge and skills to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Mr. Udochukwu Egwim, Head of Programmes and Strategic Partnership Agreement II Project Lead at SSDO, highlighted the pressing challenges posed by climate change in Nigeria, including erratic rainfall, flooding, rising temperatures, and soil degradation.
To address these issues, agro-ecology has been recognized as a crucial solution for the nation’s food security and sustainability challenges.
Through the Strategic Partnership Agreement Programme, SSDO and ActionAid Nigeria have organized this agro-ecology training, made possible by funding from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
The initiative focuses on promoting basic human rights, democratic values, and sustainable livelihoods, particularly for marginalized young women in disaster-prone areas of Nigeria.
The communities actively participated in the project by donating four plots of farmland for demonstration (model) farms during the training. In return, they received 207 improved palm-fruit seedlings to enhance their own farms and contribute to the community’s socioeconomic development.
Dr. Celestine Agah, an Agro-ecologist from the Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of preserving soil health, reducing erosion, and minimizing reliance on synthetic inputs to ensure food security.
The agro-ecology holistic approach adopted in the training promotes sustainable agriculture, increases productivity and profitability, and reduces the dependence on costly external resources.
Mr. Theophilus Ivoh, another facilitator from the state Ministry of Agriculture, revealed that the farmers learned valuable techniques such as soil conservation, sustainable water management, and the reduction of agro-chemicals and fertilizers.
They were also introduced to practices like compost manure, pest control, multiple cropping, rotation, and inter-cropping.
Farmers who participated in the training expressed their gratitude to SSDO and ActionAid Nigeria for their efforts in transforming agriculture in their communities.
Mazi Obinna Madu appreciated the knowledge gained and the improved palm-fruit seedlings, while Mrs. Mary Agu expressed confidence in the positive impact the training would have on their farms and livelihoods.
The success of the agro-ecology workshops and training in Enugu communities signifies a significant step forward in achieving the goals outlined in the Strategic Partnership Agreement II.
As ActionAid Nigeria and SSDO continue their collaborative efforts, it is expected that their commitment to sustainable agriculture and livelihood improvement will bring lasting positive change to Nigeria’s farming sector and its resilient farmers.