Stakeholders Review Drought, Desertification Policy To Boost Food Security

Stakeholders in the environment and agriculture sectors on Wednesday pledged to review Nigeria’s National Policy on Drought, Desertification and Land Degradation to address emerging challenges and strengthen food security.

The commitment was made at an inception workshop on the policy review in Abuja and attended by representatives from the federal government, development partners, and relevant stakeholders.
In his keynote address, the minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said desertification, land degradation and drought were major global threats that worsen economic, social and environmental challenges.
Lawal, represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mahmud Kambari, said the policy, initially formulated in 2007, required urgent review to reflect current realities and bridge existing gaps.

He identified poverty, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and forced migration as some of the negative impacts of unchecked land degradation and desertification in Nigeria.

“The reviewed policy must consider core principles such as precautionary and proactive measures, sustainable development, intergenerational equity and gender inclusiveness,” he said.
Lawal noted that desertification remains the most pressing environmental challenge in Nigeria’s dryland regions in Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states.

He said between 50 and 75 per cent of land in these states is affected by desert-like conditions, impoverishing over 27 million residents and threatening the livelihoods of millions.

“These states cover about 38 per cent of the country’s total land area.

“The dryland region is home to more than a quarter of Nigeria’s population and supports about 90 per cent of the country’s cattle, two-thirds of goats and sheep, and nearly all donkeys, camels and horses,” he said.

According to him, the region also contributes to the nation’s agricultural economy, producing key food crops such as rice and wheat, and export crops like cotton, groundnuts and gum Arabic.
He said combating desertification and related challenges would require a holistic approach backed by sound policies and integrated programmes that address root causes.
They include unsustainable land use, deforestation, and climate change.

“The revised policy must also take into account related policies in agriculture, mining, urban development and climate change in order to identify and bridge existing policy gaps,” he said.
Speaking at the event, representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dominique Kouacou, said the policy review reaffirmed the collective resolve to tackle one of Nigeria’s most urgent environmental threats.

Kouacou stressed that healthy land was central to sustainable food production and national well-being, noting that 95 per cent of the food consumed originates from soil.
He said the FAO’s global strategy towards achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was built on transforming agrifood systems through four principles.

They include; better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.
“The national policy has provided a critical framework for protecting ecosystems, improving agricultural productivity and building climate resilience. However, 17 years later, the landscape has changed,” he said.
Kouacou called for a revised policy that reflects today’s climate realities, incorporates new knowledge, and aligns with international best practices.

“This is an opportunity to bridge gaps, enhance multi-sectoral collaboration and take bold action toward durable solutions.

“FAO remains committed to supporting Nigeria through sustainable land and water management, ecosystem restoration, and community resilience,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr Abdulhamid Umar, National Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, said the review was necessary to update the policy to meet current climate-related challenges affecting vulnerable populations. (NAN)