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.Urges FG on climate-smart agriculture, smallholder farmers’ empowerment
An international firm, Sydani Group, has said that over 17 million Nigerians are currently grappling with food insecurity, advising the Federal Government to invest in climate-smart agriculture and empower smallholder farmers by priorising access to finance, training and technology to enhance sustained productivity.
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According to the firm, Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices offer promising opportunities to address Nigeria’s agricultural challenges, while promoting economic growth and sustainability.
An agronomist and Sydani Group’s business development specialist, Godfrey Meyer Petgrave, who stated this at a media roundtable organised by the firm, at the weekend, in Abuja, said that Nigeria’s food crisis demands urgent attention and concerted actions from all stakeholders, adding that climate-smart agricultural practices will enhance food security, while simultaneously addressing adaptation and mitigation strategies for climate change.
He stressed the need for farmers to adopt improved seed varieties, which are resistant to extreme weather conditions and early maturing to adapt to changing climate patterns.
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He observed that integrated soil fertility management, combining chemical fertilizers with organic practices like animal manure and compost, improves soil health and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, contributing to lower costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Petgrave, who emphasised the need for policy reform and institutional strengthening, advocated for policy reforms, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and collaboration among stakeholders.
According to him, harnessing technology and innovation by embracing digital agriculture solutions, precision farming technologies and data-driven insights will help optimise resource management.
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