GCA Supports Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Northern Nigeria through Innovative Partnership with IFAD
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otterdam, the Netherlands, 21st September 2024 – The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) has partnered with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to implement climate-smart, resilient agriculture in Northern Nigeria. This collaboration is part of IFAD’s Value Chain Programme in the North (VCN), which aims to transform agricultural practices in one of Nigeria’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
With agriculture forming the backbone of livelihoods for more than 84% of households in Northern Nigeria, the region faces pressing challenges from low productivity, poverty, conflict, and the increasing threat of climate change. According to projections, Northern Nigeria is expected to experience temperature rises exceeding the global average, further threatening food security in a region already impacted by natural disasters and environmental stressors.
The VCN project will foster climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, improving food security for over 30,000 households. Through the introduction of sustainable agricultural systems, advanced technologies, and climate-resilient practices, this initiative will also promote gender and nutrition awareness, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are supported.
GCA will work closely with local partners and communities, focusing on scaling climate-smart digital technologies, advancing food security, and promoting gender equality and youth empowerment in agriculture. Key Elements of the GCA’s contribution to the project include:
- Conducting climate risk and vulnerability assessments to guide investment decisions for the VCN project, ensuring that climate adaptation and resilience are embedded in every phase.
- Identifying adaptation solutions for prioritized value chains, including crops most suited to the region’s changing climate, and enhancing digital access to climate data for farmers.
- Supporting financial capacity building, improving post-harvest management, and creating market linkages to help smallholder farmers adapt to climate change while expanding their economic opportunities.
This partnership underscores the critical need for climate adaptation strategies in a region where over 72% of the population lives in extreme poverty, and the impacts of climate change exacerbate food insecurity.
Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, emphasized the importance of the initiative:
“Our partnership with IFAD in Northern Nigeria is a vital step toward securing a climate-resilient future for some of the most vulnerable communities in Africa. Through innovative adaptation solutions, we are not only addressing today’s food security challenges but also building resilience against tomorrow’s climate risks. This project demonstrates how climate-smart agriculture can create sustainable livelihoods while protecting the planet.”
The partnership between GCA and IFAD through the VCN project is expected to yield significant results in Northern Nigeria. The project will directly benefit 30,000 households by promoting the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural technologies and practices. It aims to cultivate over 218,000 hectares of land using sustainable methods, train more than 54,000 farmers in climate-smart and water-efficient agriculture, and improve access to digital financial services for smallholder farmers. By enhancing food security, increasing productivity, and strengthening value chains, the initiative will boost economic opportunities for rural communities, particularly for women and youth. This project exemplifies GCA’s commitment to driving climate adaptation solutions in Africa, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and secure resilient food systems. It is undertaken as part of the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), a flagship initiative led by GCA in partnership with the African Development Bank to scale up climate adaptation across the continent.
Notes to Editors
About the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP)
The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) is a joint initiative by the African Development Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation, aimed at mobilizing $25 billion over five years to scale up climate adaptation in Africa. Since its launch, the AAAP has integrated climate adaptation measures into over $10 billion in investments, helping to build climate resilience for millions across the continent.
About the Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It works to climate-proof development by instigating policy reforms and influencing investments made by international financial institutions and the private sector. The goal is to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and ensure that it remains prominent.
Founded in 2018, GCA embodies innovation in its approach to climate adaptation as well as in its physical presence. It operates from the largest floating office in the world, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. GCA has a worldwide network of regional offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Beijing, China. The Center will open a new office in Nairobi, Kenya in 2025.
