ICEHD Empowers Rural Women Farmers with Climate-Smart Agriculture Training in Lagos
Concerns over the escalating impact of climate change on agriculture have spurred stakeholders in Lagos to conduct a specialized training program for rural women farmers. The initiative focuses on climate-smart agriculture and agroecology practices, aiming to bolster food production and build resilience against environmental challenges.
Workshop Details and Objectives
The two-day Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agroecology Training Workshop for Rural Women Farmers was organized by the International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD). This event is part of the "Grassroots-Driven Climate Action by Rural Women Farmers in Nigeria" project, which brought together over 100 women farmers from various communities. Participants learned adaptive farming techniques, soil management practices, and sustainable food production strategies to combat climate-related disruptions.
Government Perspectives on Climate Challenges
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Omobolaji Gaji, represented by ministry official Johnson Olusola, highlighted the state's increasing environmental pressures. These include flooding, heavy rainfall, rising temperatures, and coastal erosion, all of which threaten agricultural production and food systems. Gaji emphasized that floods destroy homes and infrastructure, wash away crops, contaminate water sources, and erode topsoil, while coastal erosion endangers livelihoods in coastal communities.
Gaji added that the Lagos State government has prioritized climate resilience in its development strategy by promoting climate-change mainstreaming across sectors and supporting community-led interventions. He stressed that climate-smart agriculture and agroecology are essential approaches for farmers to increase productivity, manage land sustainably, and reduce losses from climate shocks.
Empowering Women for Food Security
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Rianat Onigbanjo, represented by Head of Disbursement Link Indicator Oluwatoyin Salami, underscored the critical role of empowering rural women farmers. She noted that women constitute a significant proportion of smallholder farmers and are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts on agricultural productivity and household livelihoods. Providing them with climate-responsive agricultural knowledge is vital for strengthening food security and community resilience.
Expert Insights on Climate-Smart Practices
Agronomist and principal consultant at Greenfield Agro-Allied and Farming Systems Limited, Durojaiye Olusegun, explained that climate-smart agriculture integrates adaptation, productivity, and mitigation measures. This approach helps farmers respond to changing weather conditions while maintaining food production. He stated that the training exposed farmers to agroecological practices, soil and crop management techniques, irrigation systems, and farm business strategies designed to improve productivity and income.
"We cannot attain food security without discussing climate-smart agriculture and agroecology. With changing climate conditions and delayed planting seasons, farmers must adopt practices that help them adapt and still achieve sustainable food production," Olusegun said.
Soil Management and Government Support
Soil expert Olayiwole Onasanya urged farmers to adopt climate-smart and sustainable agricultural practices to improve productivity and adapt to climate change. He pointed out that tropical soils often contain less organic matter than those in temperate regions, necessitating the combination of organic inputs with inorganic fertilizers to maintain soil fertility and protect farm yields.
Onasanya called on the government to strengthen agricultural extension services, invest in small-scale irrigation, and provide targeted subsidies to support farmers facing climate-related challenges. He also emphasized the importance of empowering rural women farmers, who account for a significant share of agricultural activities.
ICEHD's Focus on Rural Women
Consulting partner at ICEHD, Dr. Ndudi Bowei, explained that the intervention targeted rural women because they form a large part of the agricultural workforce and are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts. The program trained over 100 women farmers on soil improvement, organic farming, and pest management using locally available materials.
"Climate change is drying up the soil and the nutrients. Through this training, women are learning how to use local materials to improve the quality of their soil so they can have better yields and make more money," Bowei said.
She added that the program provides farm tools such as solar-powered irrigation pumps, sprinklers, and organic inputs to rural women farmers. Practical sessions included training on compost production and organic pesticide preparation, aiming to strengthen women's networks, improve farm productivity, and support household food security as farmers adapt to changing rainfall patterns and extreme heat.
Practical Training Sessions
Day two of the training featured a technical session led by Durojaiye Olusegun on best techniques for growing vegetables, pest and disease management. This session offered practical insights into improving vegetable production, identifying common crop pests and diseases, and adopting effective management techniques to enhance yield and reduce crop losses.
Participants also engaged in practical demonstrations facilitated by Dr. Bukola Toyin Sadiku, head of crop development at the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA). Her session focused on the production of compost and organic pesticides, equipping women farmers with knowledge on using locally available materials to improve soil fertility and manage pests sustainably.
Equipment Deployment and Distribution
In preparation for deploying irrigation equipment, three representatives from each of the four participating communities—Iju, Epe, Ikorodu, and Rose of Sharon Widows—received practical training on assembling and operating solar-powered irrigation pumping machines to support their farming activities.
The training concluded with a post-training evaluation, followed by the distribution of agricultural tools and equipment. Items distributed included solar-powered irrigation pumping machines, garri processing machines, fish kilns, knapsack sprayers, handheld pressure irrigation canes, sprinklers, organic pesticides, bags of compost, and organic seeds.
Farmer Feedback and Future Impact
The farmers expressed appreciation for the training and the support materials provided, noting that the tools and equipment will significantly improve their farming practices, increase productivity, and strengthen their economic capacity. This initiative marks a crucial step toward enhancing climate resilience and food security among rural women farmers in Lagos.
