YAHYA SARKI, leadership.ng
Small-scale farmers and other stakeholders of the agriculture sector in Kebbi have been warned on the dangers of climate change as it affects agricultural production which is the mainstay of the state.
This indication was highlighted in Birnin Kebbi during a 1- day sensitization workshop organised for small scale farmers and stakeholders in agriculture by Oxfam, an international charity organisation working to eradicate poverty through agriculture and West Africa Network for Peace (WANEP), a regional organization working towards building relationships for peace in West Africa.
During the presentation of a report carried out in some northern states of the country, Kebbi inclusive, small-scale farmers especially women have been identified to be most vulnerable to climate fluctuations and extreme weather conditions because of their dependence largely on rainfall and seasonal agriculture. The implication the result said were increased hunger, poverty and even violent clashes.
Titilope Ayosai, the executive director center for 24 century issues who presented the report during the workshop, recommended the development of irrigation system through sustainable water shed management to promote all season farming and effective early warning system with accurate and timely climate change information services to protect farmers among others. She also pointed out that farmers in Kebbi were faced with the challenges of access to credit and technology to help them boost their production.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the event, the Oxfam coordinator in Kebbi State, Olumide Ojo said that his organization was working in 93 countries with the sole aim of achieving a just world without poverty. According to him, Oxfam and its partners in Kebbi were piloting a program in 3 local government areas of Birnin Kebbi, Jega and Danko Wasagu to support farmers with inputs and skills to improve agriculture to fight poverty.