Nigeria Set For Food Security Through CSA-TIMPs… NIFAAS Reveals

By Famous Reporters

The Nigerian Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (NIFAAS) says food security can only be achieved through the Uptake of Climate Smart Agriculture- Technology, Innovation and Management Practices (CSA-TIMPs).

it is poised to ensure food security through the establishment of policies geared towards adapting to the challenges associated with Climate change.

NIFAAS South East Zone disclosed this last Thursday, in a policy discourse on Climate Smart Agriculture Technology, Innovation and Management practices, held at Micheal Opara University of Agriculture Umuahia Abia State (MOUAU).

According to the Forum, CSA-TIMPs has the capacity to make food systems and farm livelihoods more resilient thus leading to food sufficiency in the country.

Speaking at the event, the President of the Forum, Prof. E.B. Tologbonse, represented by Prof. Ike Nwachukwu of MOUAU, Abia State said: “we have converged to talk about Climate Smart Agriculture and practical application to it.”

He noted that the discussion was timely as it would, according to him, enable the nation overcome the challenges ahead.

Prof. Tologbonse maintained that there will be not less than 40% global loss in agriculture
consequent upon climate change, adding, “so we must do everything possible to learn and deploy different technologies to help the farmers so that we can achieve the optimum.”

He further encouraged participants to fully participate in the workshop which he stressing that “it will be highly interactive and personal experiences and ideas will be shared to ensure a fruitful discourse. ”

The Coordinator South-East Zone Policy Discourse on CSA TIMPs, Dr. Ogechi Umeh explained that the overall goal of NIFAAS was to develop and promote a coordinated, inclusive and demand-driven agricultural advisory support and service network in Nigeria.

Dr. Umeh advised participants to convene key stakeholders dialogue at the six geographical zones of the country to ascertain, collate local situation of CSA uptake, identify barriers to uptake, as well as map out strategies for increased uptake.

Meanwhile, at the discourse on the state of CSA TIMPs it was identified among other things that: farmers within S/E are aware of climate change although they do not have documented evidence of climate change.

This according to report is because their adaptation methods are based on their local knowledge and experiences..

FamousReporters also gathered that Uptake of CSA-TIMPs entails certain initial cost, hence the absence of access to credit facilities and Agro input subsidy had not augured well for both the promotion and uptake of CSA nor have they consciously facilitated promotion and rapid uptake of CSA TIMPs .

Resource persons in attendance were; Professor Nkiru Meludu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr Kenneth C. Ekwe of MOUAU, Mrs Ify Uzoka, the Permanent secretary, office of the Deputy Governor of Anambra state.

Others were; Mr. Ibe Maduakolam, Abia state project coordinator, FADAMA, Mr. Kenneth Enyinnia, Director Extension, Abia State and ADP, Pastor Anayochi Jonathan, Former program manager, Imo state ADP, among others.