An NGO, the Civil Organisations Research Advocacy and Funding Initiatives Development (CORAFID) has said Nigeria that loses over 350, 000 hectares of arable land annually to climate change.
Founder and chairman of the organisation, Nathaniel Awuapila made this known at a panel discussion on the theme: “Agriculture Conundrum in the Benue Valley and the Impact of Climate Change.
In his address, Awuapila said that climate change had brought dwindling crop production and poor yields.
“The negative impact of cimate change on the environment, especially on farming is enormous, he said. “It has also encouraged desertification and has drastically reduced productivity thereby discouraging most farmers to go into production.
He explained that the panel discussion provides an opportunity fir relevant stakeholders to discuss ways in which government at all levels can bring out policies that will help in mitigating the negative impact of climate change on the environment in Nigeria.
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He regretted that the government had been reluctant in setting up an office in charge of climate change issues, adding that the mass exodus of herdsmen across the continent to Nigeria in search of greener pastures was as a result of climate change.
Also speaking, one of the participants, Joseph Gbagyo lamented that at the moment, there was no serious policy direction in the country as regards the issue of climate change.
Story was adapted from Leadership.
