The Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Climate Change, Chris Nkwonta, has stated that conscious efforts must be made by relevant agencies to adequately respond to and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Workshop on Climate Smart soil practices for improved food security, Nkwonta stated that soil is one of the integral elements to the functions of all terrestrial ecosystems and to increase crop technologies for sustainable food production.
According to him, changes in weather condition are currently disrupting farming in every corner of the world, from droughts or floods that damage crops to rising seas, one environmental pollution or the other threaten rural and agricultural communities.
He said: “Agriculture faces complex and unique problems. Crop production is directly dependent on natural resources, weather and climatic conditions. As a result, we have raising temperatures, variable rainfalls, environmental pollutions, invasive and species of pest.”
The lawmaker, therefore, stated that unpredictable environmental factors have invariably exposed farmers and agricultural communities to several challenges that are inimical to increase food production and sustainable food security in the country.
“These environmental challenges are adversely affecting farmers, food producers tend to get worse as climate issues accelerate globally, making it critical to implement mitigation strategies and appropriate responses as soon as possible.”
While noting the long-term negative impacts of the menace on food production and food security, he argued that climate smart soil and agriculture is invariably an approach to appropriately transform farming with the aim of delivering positive outcomes on the basis of adaptations and mitigations.
He, however, said the workshop will be a catalyst towards achieving improved food security in the country in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, in view of the current environmental challenges occasioned by the global climate change.
