Experts Proffers Solution To Climatic Change Agriculture To Enhance Productivity 

The South West Coordinator Of the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science Professor James Adediran has called on famers most especially in the south west to consider climatic change before planting their crops to enhance maximum production.

The prof. of soil science disclosed this during a training programme tagged “train the trainers” which took place at the home science building , Institute of Agricultural Research and technology, Ibadan recently.

While welcoming the participants who came from all the south western states of Nigeria, Prof. Adediran said the effects of climate change otherwise termed as global warming has posted a threat to agricultural system including crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries which according to him can reduce food productions and supply.

He corroborated this by informing the participants that climatic change varies from one region to the other hence the need for them to have its knowledge so as to know what and when to plant some specific crops.

He added that the effects of climate change vary from region, country and location, advising farmers to adopt new methods of agriculture such as irrigation to reduce the effects of climate change in the country.

He said, “The effects of Climate Change has therefore posed a serious challenge to agricultural systems including crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.

“Soil is part of our environment and it is a vital factor for agricultural production. Climate change has been found to adversely affect the productivity of the soil.

“Some areas are expected to become drier and more drought-prone, while others will witness more intense rains or altered rainfall patterns. Increasing temperatures will change the length of the growing seasons and affect yield in some areas, while at the same time modify the distribution of fish populations in rivers and oceans.

“Therefore, the approach to mitigate or adapt to Climate Change requires site-specific strategies and responses. Also, for agricultural systems to sustainably contend with climate change, their contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must also be addressed.

“This can be done by involving all agricultural activities that will sustain productivity and reduce GHG emissions usually released in the atmosphere.

“It is, therefore, necessary to find ways to meet these challenges, increase agricultural production and sustain food systems for affected regions, countries, locations and communities.

In his remarks, the director of agricultural extension services, Oyo State ministry of of agric, Mr. Razak Moruf Alaba urged the farmers to always plan ahead and prepare for climatic change anytime while sitting the his example of this year that rain started very late which is currently making some areas to be experiencing a spell period.

Prof. Akin Oluwatosin in his own remarks disclosed that the training was put together to intimate the farmers that there is a way out to produce more crops whenever there is climate change.

Some of the participants who spoke with first weekly magazine lauded the institute for the programme while pledging to put into use all they have aquired during the training.

-Kunle Bakare