Background
In Northern Nigeria, including Kaduna State, aridity, drought, and desertification disproportionately affect communities reliant on rain-fed agriculture. These environmental crises have triggered inter-communal conflicts between traditional farmers and nomadic herders due to scarce land and water resources. This has heightened violence from armed groups, including Boko Haram, bandits, and herdsmen. Kaduna State is identified as a conflict-affected and high-risk area under EU regulation 2017/821.
Highlighting the severity of the food security crisis, a recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations indicates that 25.3 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity. Consequently, the National Council on Climate Change declared a state of emergency on July 14, 2023, regarding the nation's food security.
CTCN support
In response to the pressing challenges in Kaduna State, the technical assistance will pilot a small-scale hydroponics system as a strategic solution to address the intersection of climate change, insecurity, and food security issues in the region. Hydroponics is anticipated to lessen dependence on unpredictable weather patterns, particularly erratic rainfall caused by climate change. Operating in controlled environments, it offers a buffer against the disruptions of violent conflicts and insecurity that have affected traditional farming methods. The adaptability and scalability of hydroponics systems allow for community-level implementation, offering an immediate and practical response to food security challenges.
Expected outcome
Piloting a small-scale solar-powered hydroponics system is a strategic solution aimed at addressing the interrelated challenges of climate change, insecurity, and food security in the region through the specific objectives of this technical assistance initiative as follows:
- Pilot sustainable hydroponics systems powered by solar PV in the target community for demonstration and training.
- Provide farmers with secure livelihood options to mitigate risks like kidnappings and reduce conflicts.
- Train community members to construct, operate, and maintain hydroponics systems, reducing reliance on external agricultural services.
- Develop tailored solutions to address the community's specific challenges and needs.
- Increase crop yields through hydroponics adoption to enhance food security in project areas.
- Integrate hydroponics with traditional farming methods to foster resilience against climate change impacts.