The Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has launched the Social, Environmental, and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP) Training Workshop yesterday, in Port Harcourt.
The event, organized under the SUSTAIN International Programme, brought together experts, stakeholders, and representatives from key agricultural development initiatives to strengthen compliance with climate and environmental standards across Nigeria’s agricultural projects.
Dr. Abiodun Sanni, National Project Coordinator of the LIFE-ND Project, who highlighted the progress achieved by the FGN/NDDC/IFAD-assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) said “Sustainable livelihoods are intrinsically tied to a healthy environment and communities’ ability to adapt to climate challenges.”
Dr. Sanni outlined key accomplishments of the LIFE-ND project in key areas including:
“Weather Intelligence: Installation of automated weather stations in collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to aid farmers in real-time weather monitoring and planning.
Environmental Management: Creation of over 24 Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) addressing key agricultural value chains, including cassava and rice.
Capacity Building: Sensitizing over 27,000 participants on climate change mitigation and farming adaptation strategies.
Biogas and Agroforestry: Implementation of clean energy projects, such as biogas digesters, and planting over 22,000 agroforestry trees to combat deforestation.
He further commended IFAD and other stakeholders for their support, emphasizing the importance of fostering sustainability and resilience for communities in the Niger Delta.
Earlier in her opening remark, IFAD Country Director Mrs. Dede Ekoue highlighted the global relevance of the SUSTAIN initiative.
“This training workshop is critical for aligning IFAD’s agricultural projects with climate resilience and socio-economic goals. Through digital tools like AI-enabled farmer chats and innovations such as solar boreholes and biogas digesters, we are transforming smallholder farming across Nigeria,” she said.
Mrs. Ekoue praised the partnership between IFAD and the Federal Government of Nigeria, which spans projects like LIFE-ND, Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ). She urged participants to actively engage in the workshop and disseminate lessons to decision-makers and farmers’ groups for greater impact.
Bukar Musa, Director, Project Coordinating Unit, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security also underscored the government’s commitment to climate resilience in agriculture.
According to him, the government expects this training to enhance environmental sustainability and mitigate the risks of climate change, particularly for vulnerable farming communities.
The SECAP Training Workshop was part of Nigeria’s strategic response to the climate crisis, including devastating floods that have affected multiple states.
With support from IFAD, Nigeria’s agricultural projects are being tailored to integrate environmental and social safeguards while promoting inclusive economic growth.
The event marked a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural systems to ensure resilience and sustainability in the face of climate challenges.
The workshop would continue over the coming days, featuring technical sessions and capacity-building exercises aimed at embedding climate-smart practices across all levels of agricultural development.