As flooding continues to threaten communities across Nigeria, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has ramped up efforts to support farming communities, particularly in Bauchi and Benue States.
In partnership with local organizations and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands through the African Activists for Climate Justice Project, HEDA has launched a flood sensitization and awareness campaign aimed at educating smallholder farmers on the impacts of climate change and flood preparedness.
In Bauchi State, communities such as Walia, Melandige, and Sakuwa in Itas Gadau LGA were engaged during sensitization sessions. Hajia Aminat Bala Jubril, Director of the Association of Small-Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN) and a HEDA partner, addressed farmers about strategies to mitigate flood risks.
She emphasized the importance of investing in flood-resistant rice seeds and advised farmers to include these improved seeds in their future budgets to safeguard their crops. Jubril also encouraged farmers to stay updated with weather forecasts from NiMET, which has warned of potential flooding in the region between April and October 2024.
Community leader Hajia Fatima shared local farmers’ experiences with flooding and urged the government and corporate organizations to assist by building long-lasting infrastructure to withstand floods and dredging rivers to reduce flood risks.
In Benue State, HEDA engaged with communities in Agasha, Adaka, Ajaha, and Abatse of Guma and Makurdi local government areas. The focus was on early warning systems and flood-resistant farming practices. Farmers like Racheal Uzor spoke about their struggles in flood-prone areas, often losing crops despite flood warnings. She also appealed for government support in providing clean water through boreholes, as flooding has severely impacted their water sources.
Victor Osimo, another farmer in Benue, highlighted poor drainage systems and their detrimental effects on farmlands. He called for government action to address agro-chemical contamination and infrastructure deficiencies that exacerbate their vulnerability to flooding.
Sulaimon Arigbabu, HEDA’s Executive Secretary, stressed the need for modern, climate-resilient farming techniques to minimize agricultural losses. He encouraged farmers to stay vigilant and utilize climate data for informed planting decisions. The campaign aims to equip climate frontline communities, particularly farmers, with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage climate-related risks effectively.
HEDA has also conducted campaigns in five other states (Adamawa, Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa), seeking to empower communities across Nigeria as the October-November flood period approaches. These interventions are crucial for enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities and ensuring the protection of lives, livelihoods, and food security.
