Farmers in Nigeria have revealed massive losses suffered during this year’s farming season due to delayed rainfall and flooding, exacerbated by the devastating effects of climate change.
Speaking on the issue, the Chairman of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) in Osun State, Jayeoba Kamoru Alagbada, lamented that unpredictable weather patterns destroyed crops and plantations worth millions of naira.
He warned that if these challenges persist, Nigeria’s food shortage crisis could worsen significantly.
In response to the crisis, the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, National Resources, and Research Centre (ISANRRC), in collaboration with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Osun State Chapter, organised a free two-day training session for farmers in Osogbo.
The program focused on modern techniques for cultivating cassava, yam, maize, and sweet potatoes, as well as their value chains.
Farmers were encouraged to transition from subsistence farming to mechanized agriculture. Trainers provided technical knowledge aimed at improving productivity, achieving optimal yields, and aligning farming practices with global best standards.
Prof. Sheu Yahaya, President of ISANRRC and a professor in the Department of Agronomy at Bayero University, Kano, explained the importance of adapting to climate change.
He highlighted that the crops chosen for the training are not only significant for domestic consumption but also highly demanded in the export market due to their extensive value chains.
Yahaya expressed concern over the adverse effects of climate change, which have unleashed droughts, floods, and torrential rains, devastating crops, livestock, and livelihoods. These challenges, he said, have exacerbated poverty, malnutrition, and food insecurity, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
“This inability to produce optimally has also triggered rising food prices, worsening hardship for many Nigerians,” Yahaya added, emphasizing the importance of studying climate patterns to inform farming decisions.
Prof. Oluwatuyi Omotoso, a member of ISANRRC’s Governing Council, urged farmers to apply the knowledge gained from the training to prevent future losses and improve their productivity.
Dr. Abioye Olusegun, the institute’s Zonal Director for the South West, underscored the potential of Nigerian agriculture, stating that proper utilization of resources could ensure food sufficiency and affordable prices.
Alagbada described the training as timely and assured that farmers would implement the new practices to combat food shortages and enhance agricultural output.