By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Yobe State Government and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have reviewed a climate-resilient livelihoods strategy and investment framework for 2026–2030 to strengthen food security and support vulnerable communities.
The Head of Office for North-East Operations, Mr Ali Galol, disclosed this at a validation workshop in Damaturu on Friday, where stakeholders assessed proposed interventions to align them with government priorities, community needs and available funding opportunities.
Galol, represented by Prof. Yakaka Maina, an FAO natural resources and energy expert, said the framework was designed to restore livelihoods and build community resilience to climate change, land degradation, displacement and economic hardship.
He said the review considered emerging challenges, including displacement, resettlement, malnutrition, gender inequality and social exclusion.
He stressed the need to translate the strategy into practical, cost-effective investments that would deliver lasting benefits to vulnerable communities.
According to him, stakeholders would assess the costs and expected benefits of proposed interventions to strengthen resource mobilisation and ensure effective implementation.
He added that consultations with affected communities, local groups and government institutions were essential to ensuring that the framework reflected beneficiaries’ actual needs and priorities.
In a presentation, an ICRISAT consultant, Dr Angarawai Ignatius, said the institute was collaborating with FAO Nigeria to develop climate-smart agricultural investment frameworks for Yobe, Borno, Adamawa and Benue states.
He said the frameworks incorporated the Durable Solutions approach into agricultural planning to help displaced persons, returnees and host communities rebuild their livelihoods and establish sustainable economic opportunities.
Ignatius identified climate-smart agriculture, livestock production, aquaculture, nutrition, natural resource management, land restoration, gender equality and social inclusion as priority investment areas.
He said evidence-based investments were needed to attract funding, strengthen local agricultural systems and sustain outcomes beyond the implementation period of development programmes.
He added that the initiative would create opportunities for women, youths and persons with disabilities.
Also speaking, Mr Shaibu Mohammad of the Climate Awareness Advocacy and Resilience Initiative commended FAO and ICRISAT for providing a platform to identify climate-smart agricultural investment opportunities in Yobe.
Mohammad said the initiative would promote climate-smart farming, improve knowledge of water management and attract investment to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture in the state.
Similarly, the Technical Focal Point at the Yobe State Durable Solutions Secretariat, Samira Shu’aibu, urged development partners to align their interventions with the state’s existing action plan to improve coordination and prevent duplication of efforts.
She said the workshop’s outcome was expected to guide resource mobilisation, coordinate development interventions and support sustainable agricultural and livelihood programmes across the state.
The workshop brought together representatives of state ministries, development partners, research institutions, civil society organisations and community stakeholders to identify priority investment areas.
