Managing the menace of drought for food security in Nigeria

1. Managing the menace of drought for food security in Nigeria Joachim Ibeziako Ezeji Rural Africa Water Development Project (RAWDP)

2. Introduction Throughout Nigeria, people are becoming increasingly affected by extreme climate and environmental change events. Worsening droughts and erosion in particular is ruining the lives and livelihood of many households and has continued to hamper farming activities.

3. Scenes of Activity

4. Description of Problem and Activity • Problems: • Water mismanagement, • Inappropriate land use, • Poor knowledge of anti-drought measures by farmers • Land degradation such as soil erosion • Limited potential for dry season farming through soil and water conservation, • Lack of rain water harvesting technology • Conflicts over limited water resources etc Activities: Promotion of activities that conserves water, control soil degradation and enhances productivity in the field e.g. Agronomic, Vegetative, Structural Management measures The training of 600 local farmers and 21 focal persons

5. Scenes of devastation

6. Mitigation: • Involving he communities n all parts of the project cycle • Nominating a youth member of participating communities for training as ‘’Project Focal Person’’. • Some activities made to run concurrently • Adroit management of the sensitivities • Prioritization of the objectives of the project Divides that were bridged Challenges: Logistic costs e.g. the high cost of connecting various communities via road transportation and other logistics etc Meeting fund raising target of US$500,000 Communal strife and conflicts over local streams Poverty

7. Impact of implemented activity • The facilitation of pro-poor governance mechanisms • The unleashing of the creative ability of local farmers • The adoption of conservation agriculture • Reducing conflicts over water • A comprehensive understanding the natural environment • Supporting 600 poor farmers in 21 communities • Enhanced income from growing crops e.g. maize, cassava, groundnut, cabbages, carrots, onions and tomatoes, as well as agro-forestry etc.

8. Stakeholder Participation and Consultation Major stakeholders Rural Africa Water Development Project (RAWDP) The 21 local communities especially, farmers themselves, the women groups and land owners etc Volunteering staffs of local universities Officials of government departments at the local government etc

10. Sustainability • Project an outcome of 2005 field training in Nanyuki Kenya • Promotes adaptation to Climate Change • Easy and high potential to up-scale and replicate • Need for goodwill in communities • Fund raising activities through sales of our video documentaries and promotional stickers as well as the “Dedicate a tree initiative” • Facilitator skills

12. Commitment: • Documentation of these practices • Documentation of indigenous knowledge • Adoption of Agro-forestry, minimum tillage, terraces, water pond, roof catchment and others etc • Farmers –to- farmer peer review activities • 1000 trees have successfully been planted • Evaluating and disseminating of knowledge • Food security guaranteed

14. Lessons Learnt: • Diffusion of knowledge or knowledge sharing in drought management • Application of simple land management options • An understanding of the benefits accruable by farmers • Ease of adaptation