Flood: FG urged to educate farmers, communities early to mitigate impact

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has urged the Nigerian government and stakeholders to implement Early Warning Systems (EWS) to protect farmers and communities from climate-related disasters like floods. HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, emphasized the importance of timely climate warnings to prepare and reduce the impact of such events, highlighting the threat of climate change to food security.
Arigbabu called for stronger infrastructure and community empowerment to improve disaster response. Additionally, Benue State’s Agriculture Commissioner, Moses Ogbaji, encouraged the adoption of smart agriculture, including drought-resistant crops, to enhance food security across Nigeria.
Source: Vanguard

Our Review
HEDA’s call for implementing Early Warning Systems (EWS) and promoting smart agriculture is a strategic step towards safeguarding Nigeria’s agri-food value chain. EWS can significantly reduce losses by alerting farmers of impending climate-related disasters like floods, allowing for timely preparations. This initiative can enhance resilience and stability in the food supply, mitigating risks that disrupt the production, processing, and distribution stages of the value chain.
Furthermore, the adoption of smart agriculture, such as drought-resistant crops, will enhance food security by optimizing yields despite climate challenges. Strengthening infrastructure and community empowerment are critical in fostering a proactive response to environmental threats, supporting a more robust and adaptable agri-food sector.
These measures will inform stakeholders’ decisions by providing data-driven insights and fostering growth through improved disaster preparedness and sustainable agricultural practices. Ultimately, this approach ensures that the agri-food value chain remains resilient, efficient, and capable of supporting Nigeria’s growing population amidst climate uncertainties.