By Faridat Salifu
HEDA Resource Centre, in partnership with local organisations has embarked on spearheading a flood awareness initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience of small-holder farmers across the country.
The campaign, which focuses on preparing farmers for climate change impacts, has been rolled out in Bauchi and Benue states, the two areas regarded as being vulnerable to seasonal flooding.
The sensitisation efforts, part of the African Activists for Climate Justice Project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, aim to educate farmers on how to safeguard their crops against the worsening effects of climate change.
In Bauchi State, farmers in the communities of Walia, Melandige, and Sakuwa in Itas Gadau Local Government Area were urged to prioritise flood preparedness in their farming practices.
Hajia Aminat Bala Jubril, Director of the Association of Small-Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN) and a key partner in the HEDA initiative, stressed the importance of investing in flood-resistant rice seeds.
“Incorporating flood-resistant seeds into your future budgets will go a long way in protecting your crops from the rising flood risks,” she told farmers during a sensitisation session.
Related Posts
Her advice came as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) continues to forecast potential flooding in Bauchi between April and October 2024, underscoring the need for early preparedness among farmers.
Local leaders like Hajia Fatima echoed these concerns, calling for greater government involvement in building flood-resilient infrastructure, including the dredging of rivers to reduce the intensity of floods.
Similarly, in Benue State, HEDA’s campaign reached communities in Agasha, Adaka, Ajaha, and Abatse in Guma and Makurdi local government areas. Farmers there shared their struggles with recurrent flooding, with many, like Racheal Uzor, describing how they have been forced to repeatedly replant crops after flood waters destroyed their fields. Uzor appealed for better access to clean water, as boreholes in many areas have been compromised by flooding.
Victor Osimo, another farmer, highlighted the poor drainage systems that exacerbate the flood damage, while also pointing to agro-chemical contamination as an additional concern. “We need urgent government intervention to address these infrastructure and environmental issues that increase our vulnerability,” he said.
HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, emphasised the importance of equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge to better navigate the risks posed by climate change. “Our goal is to empower these climate frontline communities with the information they need to mitigate their agricultural losses and reduce their climate-related risks,” Arigbabu explained.
Beyond Bauchi and Benue, HEDA’s flood preparedness campaign has extended to five other states Adamawa, Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa focusing on early warning systems, climate-resilient farming techniques, and disaster mitigation strategies.
As the peak flooding period in October and November approaches, the initiative is seen as crucial in bolstering the resilience of Nigeria’s farming communities, protecting not only livelihoods but also ensuring greater food security across the nation.
