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Climate Change Program – Prepared by the Office of Economic Growth and Environment

Climate Change Issues

•In Nigeria about 70% - 80% of the population depends on Agriculture, which accounts for 41% of GDP.

•Millions of people in Northern and Southern Nigeria will face greater shortages of and uncertain access to water and food and greater risks to health because of climate change.

•Different issues in the North and South. North - drought, South – flooding.

•Average temperatures will rise by 3°C – 5°C by 2100 and average rainfall may decrease in the Sahel region of Northern Nigeria.

•Southern Nigeria will face different problems, flooding from heavier and more concentrated rainfall events and, at sea level, storm surges and salt water intrusion from rising sea levels.

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The Effects

• The uncertainty of rainfall makes it more risky for farmers, especially poor farmers, to invest in new higher yield technologies – improved seeds, fertilizer, crop protection chemicals, cover cropping, etc.

• Incomes are reduced by drought, the poor respond by cutting back on food consumption, increasing risk of diseases.

• Intensified conflicts over resource use

• Absence of accurate/timely weather predictions exposes businesses and farmers to losses

• Loss of energy and water infrastructures

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USAID projects with indirect and direct climate change benefits are in the Economic Growth and Environment Portfolio. Made up of activities in:

•Agriculture

•Water

•Energy

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The Agriculture projects are designed to assist the GON

strengthen food security. • Nigeria’s agricultural production is subject to the impact of periodic

drought, fragile and depleted soils and seasonal outbreak of pest and diseases.

• Due to Nigeria’s proximity to the Sahara Desert, the country is vulnerable to desertification, drought, soil erosion, and global climate change.  

• Climate Change issues have directly impacted on USAID food security programs

• In addressing food security issues, agriculture projects have indirect climate change co-benefits, which have assisted stakeholders to adapt to climate change.

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The Agriculture projects.

• The Strategic Seed Project

To enhance household food security, income generation and poverty alleviation in Northern Nigeria

• FEWS NET

To help prevent food insecurity and famine through early identification and warning to decision-makers.

• The MARKETS Project

To strengthen agricultural competiveness and food security in Nigeria

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Achievements….• The Strategic Seed Project

– Multiplication of breeder and foundation seeds of selected varieties (cowpea, cassava, sorghum, millet)

– Trained farmers in seed production techniques, safe handling of insecticides, and safe storage of seeds

• FEWS NET– Hazard predictions– Price predictions– Food supply assessments (excess, shortages etc)– Nutrition Assessments

• The MARKETS Project– Increased agricultural productivity using improved variety of cowpea,

cassava, maize– Increased income/earnings (more disposable income during dry months)

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The water project is designed to assist the GON improve health and sanitation

ObjectiveTo increase low income Nigerians access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. In order to mitigate incidence of waterborne diseases that affect the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, and low levels of school enrollment, especially for girls

Achievement.

Five communities in the North ceased drinking from a dirty pond with their livestock.  With clean water now at their convenience,

water-related diseases have reduced.

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The energy project is designed to assist the GON mitigate Climate Change

Objective

•reduce GHG emissions by improving policies and measures aimed at stopping gas flares and expanding the use of gas to produce electricity,

•improve the policy and regulatory environments for renewable energy and energy efficiency (EE) projects

•Identify and implement commercially viable renewable energy projects.

•Assist the GON to create policies to deploy efficient cook wood stoves

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Thanks for your attention.

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