Mitigating climate change impact on Nigeria's agricultural sector

The impact of climate change on Nigeria's agricultural sector has been a growing concern in recent years. The Deputy Director General for Partnerships for Delivery at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kenton Dashiell, highlighted the importance of adopting climate-smart technologies and disease control mechanisms to mitigate current threats to production. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa at the Cross River International Cooperation and Investment Summit, Dashiell emphasized the need for an integrated approach to address these challenges. He specifically urged farmers in flood-prone states in Nigeria to consider utilizing flood-resistant rice varieties. Dashiell noted that scientists working in research institutes like IITA have been actively addressing climate change for the past decade. One of the key strategies employed is the breeding of crop varieties resilient to climate change factors such as drought and shorter growing seasons. Crop varieties like cowpea, maize, soybean, and cassava have been developed to withstand these challenges. Cassava, in particular, has shown resilience to drought and climate change due to its longer growing season. In addition to breeding climate-resilient crops, researchers have also focused on developing methods to control diseases and pests that are influenced by changing climates. Dashiell reassured that while the threat of climate change is significant, there are solutions available. The key lies in scaling up these innovations to reach millions of farmers and provide them with the necessary tools and technologies for successful crop and animal production. The conversation then shifted to the importance of partnerships in scaling up these solutions. Dashiell highlighted a collaboration with the African Development Bank, where specialists work to integrate climate-smart technologies and best practices into agriculture programs funded by the bank. This partnership aims to ensure that farmers have access to cutting-edge technologies to navigate climate challenges effectively. As the discussion turned to the imminent release of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and its potential impact on states like Cross River in Nigeria, Dashiell emphasized the need for proactive measures to mitigate flooding's effect on agriculture. He recommended the use of flood-resistant rice varieties developed by the Africa Rice Institution to withstand prolonged periods of submersion. In conclusion, addressing climate change's impact on Nigeria's agricultural sector requires a multi-faceted approach that combines innovative technologies, research, partnerships, and proactive measures by both farmers and government entities. By harnessing these collective efforts, Nigeria can build a more resilient agricultural sector capable of withstanding the challenges posed by a changing climate.