Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
Not fewer than 40,000 smallholder farmers from Sokoto State are set to benefit from the European Union’s (EU) €2 million Regreening Africa Project
The project, aimed to empower women and youth in Wamakko and Wurno Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, would be implemented by CARE Nigeria, Catholic Relief Services, and CIFOR between 2025 and 2029.
The project, according to the EU and partners will strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers, restore degraded lands to improve agricultural productivity, and promote practices that help farmers adapt to climate change.
The leader of the EU delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Massimo De Luca, while speaking at the launch of the project recently in Abuja, hinted that the impact of climate change and degradation threatens the peace, stability and prosperity of any nation.
He stressed that the essence of the project was to tackle the challenges which are urgent and undeniable, noting that the project will support livelihoods, reduce vulnerability and contribute to global climate goals by storing carbon and reducing emissions.
According to him, “Across Africa’s dry lands, and particularly in northern Nigeria, land degradation, climate stress and food insecurity are threatening livelihoods and futures.
“For millions of smallholder farmers and pastoralists, this means uncertainty. For communities, it means pressure on resources, displacement and vulnerability. For nations, it means risks to peace, stability and prosperity.”
Speaking further, he said: “We know that communities can adapt and thrive when given the right tools and support. We know that what begins in Sokoto can serve as a powerful example of resilience, innovation and hope for the rest of Nigeria and beyond.
“It is about people and ensuring that farmers in Sokoto can increase their yields and secure their families’ nutrition. It is about women because women often carry the heaviest burden of scarcity. It is also about young people whose energy and innovation are vital.”
This initiative will restore land, improve soil fertility, strengthen water management and enhance biodiversity.
On his part, the Country Director of CARE Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu, said the project would boost food security and quality of life.
Represented by the Interim Country Director of CARE Nigeria, Jennifer Orgle, he said: “We have seen land degradation through climate change and we know that this leads to reduction in the quality of livelihood, it leads to insecurity because we all end up fighting for the very few resources available when there’s land degradation.
“This project will bring restoration in terms of land and introduce best practices which would make the majority of the people improve their farming, improve livelihoods. It’s a five-year project and through it, we will see that communities will improve their livelihoods, we will see that women will be able to feed their children and their households better.
“We know that environmental restoration succeeds when communities lead the way. CARE has seen this across Nigeria and in other parts of Africa. When farmers, women’s groups, youth associations, and local leaders are empowered with knowledge and resources, change becomes both sustainable and transformative.”
He called for a collective approach and partnership with relevant stakeholders for the project to succeed.
“Regreening Africa Phase II offers us an opportunity to deepen this approach here in Nigeria, particularly in Sokoto, by ensuring that the voices of women, youth, and marginalised groups shape every step of the journey,” he stated.
Abdu further stated: “No single organisation can tackle land degradation, climate change, or food insecurity alone. Success will depend on how well we collaborate among government institutions, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and the communities.”
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