‘NAERLS must spearhead dissemination of climate-resilient farming solutions to Nigerian farmers’
The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) must collaborate with various stakeholders to spearhead the dissemination of climate-resilient farming solutions to Nigerian farmers, NAERLS Executive Director, Prof. Yusuf A. Sani, has said.
Prof. Yusuf, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2024 National Agricultural Extension Review and Planning Meeting in Zaria today (Monday, 2nd December, 2024), said NAERLS, which has a national mandate in agricultural extension, holds the critical responsibility to carry out such task.
The three-day meeting, which is taking place at the NAERLS Conference Hall in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, will discuss the various challenges associated with climate change, which is a matter of profound significance to Nigeria’s agricultural future.
This year’s meeting, themed ‘The Climate Change: Rethinking Agricultural Research, Extension and Cropping Patterns in Nigeria’, is also an opportunity to position Nigerian agriculture as a resilient, adaptive, and sustainable force for national development.
Prof. Yusuf said addressing climate change requires a rethink on how to conduct research focusing on climate resilient crops, data driven innovation, and collaboration with various stakeholders.
“Extension workers must be trained on climate-smart agriculture and modern technologies. They are the cultural link between scientific knowledge and grassroots action”, he said.
The NAERLS Executive Director also said addressing climate change necessitates a shift in how and what farmers grow.
“Cropping patterns must align with emerging climate realities such as diversification, agroecology and conservation agriculture.
“Techniques like intercropping, agroforestry and minimal tillage can enhance soil health investment in irrigation systems, water harvesting technologies, and efficient water use practice is non-negotiable as rainfall becomes less predictable”, Prof. Yusuf also said.
He stressed that the success of these initiatives depends on robust policies and partnerships as no institution can tackle the challenges alone.
Policymakers, according to him, must prioritise funding for climate-resilient agricultural initiatives and ensure that farmers have access to affordable inputs and insurance against climate risks.
Prof. Yusuf assured that NAERLS will remain committed to working with government agencies, donor organisations, and the private sector to ensure the resources and frameworks are in place for sustainable agricultural transformation.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
(NAM)
Monday, 2nd December, 2024
