By George George Idowu
A professor at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Hyacinth Nwalieji, has urged the federal, state government, and other relevant stakeholders to tackle challenges of climate change and flooding in order to ensure sustainable agricultural productivity and food supply.
The Don made the call last Saturday as guest speaker at the Fifth Okanga Aguleri Lecture, on the theme “Climate Change and Flooding in Omabala Region: Adopting For Sustainable Agriculture Yields And Relevance in Global Food Availability Index”.
Nwalieji said, although agriculture depends highly on climate, climate change could also have a negative impact on crops, livestock, soil and water resources, rural communities, and agricultural workers.
He noted that, “more than 90 per cent of the population of the Omabala region in Anambra are engaged in agro-based activities, adding that adverse effects of climate change and annual flooding have continued to make these farmers and the people of Omabala region very vulnerable.
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“The attendant devastation and destruction of their farmlands and sources of livelihood resulted in poor food supply due to unpredictable yields and produce,” he added.
The don who called for the adoption of modernised agriculture in the face of climate change said it includes investment in irrigation, improved seed production system, upgrading crop storage facilities, improved low-cost processing machinery, and technology.
He added that investments in greenhouse, improved livestock, farm mechanisation, and development of rural infrastructure are also part of modernised agriculture.
Prof Nwalieji urged governments and stakeholders to make policies and investments to promote climate-smart agriculture.
In his remarks, the Anambra Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odumegwu called for collective efforts to protect the environment from further desolation caused by erosion and flooding.
