North is more insecure as a result of climate change, says FG

The federal government has expressed apprehension regarding the adverse implications of climate change, asserting that it constitutes the primary factor contributing to instability within the agriculture industry.

The government has identified that the prevailing insecurity in the North-East and other places in the North can be attributed to the adverse impacts of climate change. However, it acknowledges that it is actively addressing these concerns in a manner that promotes long-term sustainability.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, expressed his concern during the Sahel Food Systems Change-makers’ Conference in Abuja. The conference, titled ‘Rethinking Food and Nutrition Security in the Face of Climate Change: Scaling Innovations and Driving Urgent Public-Private Partnership Actions,’ took place in Abuja.

According to the minister, climate change has had significant impacts on food systems and has emerged as the primary driver of agricultural insecurity over the course of several decades.

The issue that is gaining growing recognition as a Sahelian concern, spanning from Mauritania to Mali, Guinea, Niger Republic, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and extending to the other side of the Atlantic, is mostly attributed to the influence of climate change.

The author observed that the scarcity of agricultural land was leading to conflicts, since farmers from other sectors, such as fisheries and pastoralism, were facing difficulties in securing adequate land for their traditional farming practices.

Bagudu also emphasized the potential risks associated with neglecting the consequences of climate change, particularly in relation to both the physical and mental aspects of health, as well as the overall nutritional status.

Bagudu emphasized the reality of climate change and the imperative to take action, highlighting the potential impact on society. He specifically noted that the adverse effects of climate change on food production and nutrition were evident in Southern areas.

It is imperative to develop sustainable and climate-resilient means of supporting livelihoods in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Luckily there are methods that are being created constantly to help us deal with these challenges,” the minister stated.

The conference, as stated by Abubakar Abba Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, focused on innovations that seek to promote collaboration between the public and private sectors. Its objective was to encourage reflection on the significant difficulties that are now being encountered.

Kyari, represented by Shukrah Mahmoud, asserted that Nigeria, akin to other nations, confronts the stark actuality of climate change, encompassing alterations in weather patterns and occurrences of severe weather events. These phenomena exert a substantial influence on the country’s agricultural sector, thereby posing a threat to both food security and production.

The minister emphasized the imperative of scaling innovation, highlighting its indispensability rather than being just optional. The minister further emphasized the importance of stakeholders in promoting research pertaining to climate development, sustainable agriculture methods, and effective resource management.

He emphasized the significance of fostering a collaborative environment among scientists, farmers, and entrepreneurs in order to facilitate advancements in the sector. This collaboration is essential for creating an ecosystem that supports innovation and enables the evolution of agricultural techniques.

The involvement of public-private partnerships is of equal importance, as it is recognized that the government alone cannot effectively address the intricate challenges posed by climate change and food security. It is imperative to consolidate our endeavors, effectively leveraging the capabilities of both the public and commercial sectors.

The user stated that the administration led by President Tinubu has made a commitment to actively participate and exert significant efforts in establishing a conducive atmosphere for both innovation and investment.

The administration has undertaken the initiative to rebrand the ministry, transitioning it from the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development to the federal ministry of agriculture and food security.

Moreover, the president has officially proclaimed a state of emergency with regards to the food situation in Nigeria. Additionally, the president has taken the initiative to implement a contingency plan aimed at improving food security, sustainability, and resilience, as stated by the minister.

According to Temitope Adegoroye, the Managing Partner of Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Limited, the primary aim of the conference was to facilitate the progression of dialogue pertaining to sustainable food systems within the context of Nigeria.

The conference serves as a platform for important industry stakeholders to convene, fostering the advancement of the food and agriculture sector in the country. It facilitates meaningful discussions among various parties regarding the pressing necessity to advocate for comprehensive climate-responsive policies and interventions that can lead to a systematic transformation.

Adegoroye stated that the aforementioned statement emphasizes the identification of nascent solutions and inventive strategies led by the private sector within the agricultural and food sector, with the aim of establishing a sustainable approach for a resilient food system. Furthermore, it aims to formulate a comprehensive plan for collaborative efforts across multiple sectors to expand the implementation of successful agricultural models, thereby fostering a sustainable food ecosystem.