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From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
As part of efforts to to mitigate the devastations caused on food security by conflicts and climate change in Benue State, the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Diologue (KAICIID) and International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) has trained farmers, herders and IDPs in Benue State on Sustainable Agriculture, Nutrition Education and Climate-Resilient farming.
The project themed “Scale-Up: Strengthening Food Security Sensitization, Awareness and Policy Engagement in Nigeria,” is implemented by the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) in in conjunction with the Interfaith Dialogue Network (IDN), Benue State.
The co-secretary of IDFP, Imam Shefiu Abdulkareem who addressed participants at the 3-days training in Makurdi, said Benue state is threatened by several challenges ranging from farmer/herders conflicts, climate change, weak agricultural systems among others.
He noted that persistent conflicts and violence in Benue communities have displaced farming communities resulting to abandonment of farmlands, reduced agricultural production, food insecurity and malnutrition.
He said the organizations have taken a Faith based action towards achieving food securityand peace in communities because religious leaders are trusted persons in the community, they are deeply embeded local structures, influential in shipping attitudes and behaviours and have proven effective in mediating in conflict situations and in promoting peace and food security.
He explained further that the purpose of the training was to strengthen knowledge skill on climate smart agriculture, promote nutrition and food security though sustainable practices an to leverage on their influence for behaviour change and to strengthen community architecture in the state.
He noted that at the end of the training, the stakeholders would adopt enhanced climate smart agriculture, nutrition sensitive practices among farmers, herders an community stakeholders, improved collaboration collaboration and social cohesion between farmers, herders and other stakeholders contributing to peaceful coexistence and community resilience.
The Deputy Director Research and Collaboration, Center for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Prof. Sylvester Adejo noted that climate change and conflicts have impacted negatively on food security and nutrition security be following reduced food production.
Adejo who spoke on “Food Security, Nutrition and Climate Resilience Interconnectivity, The Benue Situation” harped on the need for adaptation to change to cushion the effects for bumper harvest.
Also, Mr Ezekiel Ode of CEFTER, who spoke on “Understanding Food Security and Nutrition” lamented the effect of malnutrition on human growth and development said Food security and nutrition are essential and influences productivity and economic growth, addresses hunger and malnutrition. He appreciated IDFP for the initiative and urged trainees the take advantage of the opportunity.
Earlier, the Co- Publicity Secretary of IDFP, Hajia Amina Kazaure welcomed the participants to the training said adequate and nutritious food was crucial to peace, happiness and unity in communities. She assured that. the training will equip the with the skills to improve on food production and nutrition for the overall good of their families and Benue citizens.
The trainees drawn from various IDPs camps and Benue communities, Mrs Awashima Ajinde who is the woman leader in International Market IDP camp, Emmanuel Atsea from Gwer West LGA, the chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Benue state, Enerst Atoji among others, all appreciated IDFP and their partners for the initiative urging them to collaborate with the federal and state government as well as other relevant agencies to ensure their return o their ancestral homes.
The event ended with a practical demonstration of food nutrition held at Ter Makurdi’s office in Makurdi.
