The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have launched a climate change adaptation project in the Majakura community, Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The project, titled Sustainable Farmers-led Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change, is being implemented by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) under the Small Grants Programme (SGP).

No fewer than 2,000 farmers are expected to benefit from the one-year programme.

The project officer for the NCF-Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands Conservation Project, Harry Hanson Junior, disclosed this during an exposure visit to the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Kano on Friday.

Mr Hanson explained that the beneficiaries, comprising crop farmers, livestock rearers, women, and youths, were drawn from 10 communities in Majakura Ward of Nguru.

According to him, changing climatic conditions continue to threaten food production in fragile ecosystems through water scarcity, recurrent droughts, floods, and pest infestations.

“The project is designed to promote sustainable agroforestry management strategies for semi-arid regions through integrated technologies and practices,” said Mr Hanson.

He added, “It aims to build resilience among farmers and pastoralists in the community.”

Earlier, Alpha Kamara, the head of the IITA Kano station, urged youths to take advantage of opportunities in the agricultural value chain to improve their livelihoods.

According to him, agriculture goes beyond crop production, noting that youths can serve as knowledge partners, service providers, and processors along the chain.

“Young people can be trained to provide services for farmers who lack the know-how in pest, disease, and weed control.

“They can also guide farmers on the right chemicals to buy and provide spraying services for crops,” Mr Kamara said.

He added that youths could also explore processing services by using machines for feed and crop processing after harvest.

“This way, farmers can pay for the services, and the processors earn income, thereby creating a win-win situation,” Mr Kamara added.

The agricultural officer from Nguru, alongside the village head of Majakura, Lawan Bamai, in their separate remarks, thanked the organisers for their intervention.

Some of the participants who spoke to journalists commended the development partners for the initiative and promised to share the knowledge with others.

(NAN)