 says it has empowered several smallholder Nigerian farmers who are implementing climate-smart agricultural practices.){kind=link}
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says it has empowered several smallholder Nigerian farmers who are implementing climate-smart agricultural practices.
The agency said it strengthened resilience to climate variability and change by ensuring that more than 354,000 hectares of farmland adopted improved management practices or technologies.
The efforts have enhanced the adaptive capacity of more than 61,000 people in Adamawa and Borno states through training on the bio-reclamation of degraded land, USAID said. The approach increases both food production and farmers’ incomes while lessening the effects of deforestation and erosion by utilizing degraded lands for agriculture production.
The agency has equally supported more than 339,000 people with climate-resilient water infrastructure to adapt to the effects of climate change.
“USAID have also trained more than 1,520 farmers in Bauchi and Cross River states on improved tree crop management practices, with approximately 124,300 improved bush mango and cocoa seedlings distributed to enhance productivity and bolster climate resilience on existing farmland while curtailing encroachment on forests,” it said in a publication.
Climate impacts
A wide range of livelihoods, agricultural practices, and commodities in Nigeria are increasingly threatened by climate change.
The rising sea levels and extreme rainfall increase vulnerability to flooding and waterborne and infectious diseases, while drought and rising air temperatures hinder agricultural production and fishing, reducing food security and negatively impacting health and nutrition.
The USAID said the empowered smallholder famers in Nigeria have made progress through the use of improved seed varieties, such as drought-tolerant and early-maturing seed varieties.
USAID also supports the Nigerian government’s development and climate priorities through Power Africa, Feed the Future, and water, sanitation, and hygiene programming. The agency also supports humanitarian assistance, health systems strengthening, transparent and accountable governance, basic education, and a more market-led, trade-friendly economy.
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Meanwhile, the U.S government through the agency, says it is providing more than $6.5 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address flood-related humanitarian needs across Nigeria.
This funding is part of USAID’s Fiscal Year 2024 support and will enable local partners to respond to flooding and other disasters. IOM is allocating $3 million to address flood-related humanitarian needs across the country.
The USAID provided nearly $100 million in previously announced funding to Nigeria to respond to the urgent needs of those impacted by disasters, including floods.
“The United States remains committed to supporting the people of Nigeria as they face the challenges posed by climate change and increasingly frequent natural disasters. Our enduring partnership is rooted in a long history of delivering humanitarian aid across the nation,” said USAID Mission Director Melissa Jones.
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