As flooding continues to threaten communities and farms across the country, the Director, Association of Small-Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), Bauchi State, Hajia Aminat Bala Jubril, has underscored the importance of investing in flood-resistant rice seeds.

According to her, the flood-resistant rice seed is one of the strategies for farmers to invest to mitigate flood risks.

Jubril who spoke at a flood sensitisation and awareness campaign in Bauchi and Benue states, advised farmers to incorporate these improved seeds into their future budgets to protect their crops.

She also urged farmers to stay informed through weather updates from NiMET, which has predicted potential flooding in the area between April and October 2024.

The awareness campaign, which was organised by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resources Centre), in partnership with local organisations and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands under the African Activists for Climate Justice Project, was aimed at educating and empowering smallholder farmers on climate change impacts and flood preparedness.

A community leader and farmer, Hajia Fatima, who spoke on behalf of the local farmers, shared her experiences on the flood, and called on government and corporate organisations to come to their aid by building long-term infrastructure that can withstand the flood, as well as dredging of the river, which had previously reduced the impact flood risks in the region.

In Benue State, HEDA engaged the communities of Agasha, Adaka, Ajaha and Abatse of the Guma and Makurdi local councils. The campaign focused on early warning systems and flood-resistant farming techniques.

Farmers like Rachael Uzor shared her struggles on flooding, explaining how they navigated farming in flood-prone areas, often losing their crops despite flood warnings. She also appealed to the government for access to clean water through boreholes, as their water sources have been severely affected by flooding.

HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, emphasised the importance of adopting modern, climate-resilient farming techniques to mitigate agricultural losses.

While encouraging farmers to remain vigilant and use climate data to inform their planting decisions, he said the objective behind the campaign is to equip climate frontline communities, especially farmers with the right information and knowledge that will empower them to help themselves and reduce their climate related risks.