The federal ministry of agriculture and food security (FMAFS), on Wednesday, began a two-day training programme for 20 extension workers on rice production.

The training, which is meant to enhance yield and mitigate the effects of climate change in Nigeria was held in Kano.

The “train the trainers’ programme” was organised in collaboration with the System of Rice Intensification (SRI-2030).

The frontline extension workers were drawn from five states – Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Bauchi, and Adamawa.

Speaking at the event, the minister of agriculture and food security, Abubakar Kyari, noted that the initiative aimed to increase farmers’ capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Represented by Iyabo Lawal-Mustapha, desk officer, environment and climate change management department at the ministry, the minister emphasised the critical role of rice production in addressing climate change.

“The issue of climate change is a global concern, many states in Nigeria are involved in rice production. It is believed that climate action can be achieved through rice production, thereby, achieving sustainable outcomes.

“We are now using Agricultural Transformation Programme phase one (ATAPS) under the ministry. We are extending innovative practices and technologies to smallholder farmers,” Mr Kyari said.

Abdulrahman Danbaba, the master trainer, representing James Dahlgreen, programme director at SRI-2030, said, the participants would be trained on the system of rice Intensification, which would help farmers reduce production costs.

He said: “We have trained over 45,000 farmers. By tomorrow, participants will embark on a field trip to Kura Local Government Area to practice the step-by-step implementation of SRI.

“Rice cultivation practices provide people around the world with delicious, secured and diverse sources of nutrition, while providing farmers with better livelihoods, conserving water, soil and land as well as helping in climate mitigation and adaptation.”

Mr Dahlgreen explained that SRI aimed to increase the current 6.7 million hectares under cultivation to 50 million hectares by 2030, which would reduce emissions by 8.5 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2050.

“SRI will help feed the world with less water, less climate impact, and without taking any more land from nature,” he maintained.

Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural development.

The governor, represented by Faruk Kurawa, managing director, Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), said: “We have improved irrigation facilities with over 22 dams and opened up more lands to boost agricultural production.

“We are always open to partnerships and committed to capacity building for our extension workers,” he assumed.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Yahuza Garba expressed appreciation for the opportunity to partake in the training.

He said the knowledge acquired would certainly improve rice production through sustainable methods, and he promised to expand the training to other farmers.

SRI-2030 is an initiative of The Downforce Trust, to rapidly expand the use of eco-friendly agricultural practices towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

(NAN)