By Ify Onyekwere
Climate change poses an increasingly serious challenge in Nigeria, where agriculture is one of the backbone of the economy and supports about 70% of the people. This is important for Nigeria’s smallholder farmers, who mostly depend on rain-fed agriculture. As rainfall patterns become more variable, farmers confront increased challenges in planning and carrying out their farming activities. The Nigerian Reviewed Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 2021 had also cautioned that if urgent action is not taken, agricultural productivity might fall by 10 to 25 percent and GDP by 4.5 percent by 2080.

Going further to address this challenge of food insecurity amidst these climatic shifts thereby necessitates targeted interventions, especially for women smallholder farmers since women produce 80% of the food consumed in Nigeria but often lack access to the education, information, and agricultural services needed to adapt to climate change effectively.
In response to these climate challenges, the Development Impact Pathfinders Initiative (Devimpath) , an organization addressing climate change and food insecurity challenges by empowering marginalized groups launched a transformative program titled, “Empowering Rural Women Smallholder Farmers with Skills for a Climate-Resilient Future.” This initiative is set to sensitize women farmers on the impacts of climate change, as well as equip the women with the necessary knowledge they need and build their capacity to make informed adaptation decisions.
The first phase of this initiative took place on September 20th and 21st, 2024, with a climate change awareness seminar and sustainable vegetable gardening instruction for 40 women from the Mothers Union of the Anglican Church in Ezinihitte, Imo State. Hosted at St. John’s Anglican Church, Eziala-Amumara, and Church of Pentecost, Adakam-Amumara, this event was made possible through the collaboration of the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) and Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) International, which provided a seed grant for implementation.

The seminar enhanced participants’ understanding of how climate change affects local agricultural practices and highlighted their specific vulnerabilities. It underscored the urgency of adaptation efforts and offered solutions to empower women as pivotal agents of climate action. Participants learned about accessing climate funds and adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques such as crop diversification, water conservation, and organic farming practices. These strategies aim to bolster yields and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
The women were taught how to plant seeds, prepare nurseries, and make organic fertiliser during hands-on training sessions. Two model farms were also built to serve as demonstration sites for growing crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and cabbages. These farms will be maintained by women, encouraging long-term learning and the implementation of climate-resilient techniques. Participants also got hybrid seeds to use the strategies they learnt on their own farms, providing an alternative source of income to offset the economic risks associated with climatic variability.

This program has a large potential impact. By implementing climate-smart methods, these women may be able to increase crop yields despite adverse weather conditions, resulting in increased household food security and farm resilience. This, in turn, could lead to increased food security in Nigeria. Furthermore, the program has motivated participants to become community advocates for climate adaptation, supporting climate-smart activities and disseminating knowledge within their communities.
Devimpath’s initiatives as this, paves the way for a more resilient agricultural future in Nigeria and Africa, ensuring that women farmers remain at the forefront of this transformational journey.
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Great story on agriculture.