Nigerian govt trains women farmers on climate change mitigation
By Bisola Adeyemo
Nigerian Government has begun to train South-West women farmers on policies to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The program was declared opened on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo state by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, who was represented by the Zonal Director of the ministry in the zone, Mrs. Omolara Oguntuyi.
In an address, Abubakar said the training was to enhance and expose participants to climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
He said it would also help the women to build and enhance their resilience to the threat and impact of climate in agricultural production, pmnews Nigeria reports.
“The available statistics indicate that women smallholder farmers constitute about 80 per cent of the labour force involved in agricultural production and grow the bulk of the food for domestic consumption in Nigeria.
“Overall, they constitute about 43 per cent of the agricultural labour force in the developing countries.
“Yet, they face various challenges and needs, especially in the area of climate change, access to inputs and credit as well as information and technology, which should not be overlooked,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the participants to transfer the knowledge gained at the workshop to their various locations and translate them into their agricultural practices.
Speaking also at the event, Director of Special Duties in the ministry, Mrs. Fausat Lawal, who was represented by the Head of Gender Unit, Mrs. Ifeoma Anyanwu, said the program would enable smallholder women farmers to address the impact of climate change in line with Sustainable Development Goal No. 13.
“And because of dependence on natural resources, their products are disproportionately affected by adverse weather conditions caused by climate change.
“From this workshop, women will learn how not to cut trees, use cellophane bags or untreated charcoal to cook and ensure clean environment.
“The minister is gender sensitive and knows that women are the gatekeepers of food security and with their participation the challenges will be addressed,” Lawal said.
The event had in attendance leaders and representatives of women farmers in Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, and Lagos states.
