From Despair to Hope: Alhaji Taminu’s Journey of Resilience with UNDP’s Climate Support in Northwest Nigeria

Small-scale farmers often need just a bit of support to enhance their knowledge and boost productivity. However, many local farmers in rural areas of Northwest Nigeria lack this assistance, leaving them vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change on their soil and farmland.

August 20, 2024

a man standing on top of a grass covered field — Taminu showcasing his harvested carrots

UNDP Nigeria/Taibat Ajiboye

Climate change significantly impacts farmers' productivity in Northwest Nigeria by altering rainfall patterns, increasing temperatures, degrading soil, promoting pests and diseases, and causing water scarcity. These changes disrupt farming schedules, reduce crop yields, and increase operational costs, leading to lower incomes and heightened food insecurity.

Alhaji Taminu, a 76-year-old farmer in Illela LGA of Sokoto State, described how he and his community have been struggling to adapt to the changing climate and its profound impact on their productivity and livelihoods. He emphasized that unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and soil degradation have severely affected their crop yields and farming practices, leaving many farmers in his community struggling to sustain their families and maintain their traditional way of life.

a man wearing a hat — Taminu on his farmland

UNDP Nigeria/Taibat Ajiboye

“This farming business has been in my family for generations. I inherited it from my father, who also inherited it from my grandfather. I started farming in 1975, and for the most part, I've had average crop yields. However, things have deteriorated over the past five to six years due to soil degradation and the climatic conditions we've been experiencing. We local farmers have been improvising with some traditional practices to try to overcome these challenges, but we've had no success," Taminu explains.

Through the Climate Security Project, funded by the Norwegian government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is addressing climate-related issues in Northwest Nigeria by helping farmers adopt strategies such as improved irrigation, drought-resistant crops, soil conservation, diversification, and early warning systems.

In Sokoto and Katsina States, the UNDP, through various implementing partners, has provided training on improved farming practices and distributed improved seedlings and fertilizers to over 500 local farmers in Illela LGA and Jibia LGA. This initiative has enabled farmers to gain sound knowledge of modern agricultural techniques, boosting their productivity and resilience against climate change.

“Upon hearing that there was a project called Climate Security in Illela LGA, we farmers were excited and eager to learn and improve on our existing knowledge. Luckily for us, this project has exceeded our expectations. We were trained on improved farming mechanisms and provided with improved seeds and fertilizers to help boost our crop production. More importantly, we have gained knowledge about climatic stressors and how we can mitigate the effects of climate change in our locality,” Taminu joyfully narrates.

a man cutting a cake — Taminu and his workers harvesting carrots

UNDP Nigeria/Taibat Ajiboye

"Since gaining that knowledge and receiving the support provided to us, I have already seen great changes on my farm. The outcome is amazing—not just for me, but for other farmers in Illela who are all witnessing this as well. I had a bountiful harvest, and my crops are so fresh that they sell quickly once they reach the market. Thank you very much, UNDP, for this wonderful program. This is a timely intervention, especially for us farmers. With more sensitization and support like this, we can overcome the negative effects of climate change and become self-reliant again," Taminu further explains.

a man that is standing in the grass — Taminu with fresh carrot harvest

UNDP Nigeria/Taibat Ajiboye

With support from the Norwegian government, the United Nations Development Programme will continue to mitigate the impact of climate change by helping high-risk communities in Northwest Nigeria adapt to changing climatic conditions.