WORKSHOP ON FOOD SECURITY SENSITIZATION, AWARENESS AND POLICY ENGAGEMENT IN NIGERIA
The One-day Workshop on food security took place in Benue State and Rivers State. The resource person for the workshop in Benue State was Prof. Bernard Tarza Tyubee from Benue State University, Makurdi. He discussed at length the theme of the workshop “FOOD SECURITY SENSITIZATION, AWARENESS AND POLICY ENGAGEMENT IN NIGERIA” under the following subtopics:
Environmental Impact of Climate Change
- The Earth as a planet
- The Earth’s climate system
- Global warming and climate change
- Climate change impact and mitigation
- Role of UNFCCC and IPCC in climate change discourse
Food Insecurity and Violent Conflicts in a changing climate
- Food Insecurity (Meaning, causes, indicators, impact)
- Violent Conflicts (Phases of conflicts, causes/triggers of conflicts, impact of violent conflicts)
The Interconnectivity between Climate Change, Food Insecurity and Violent Conflicts in Benue State
- Benue State: Location and Geography
- Climate change variables that affect food security
- Climate change variables that cause/trigger violent conflicts
- The relationship between food insecurity and violent conflicts
- Building and promoting interfaith and inter-communal relations in Benue State
A Group Session was held with the participants divided into 3 to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the existing challenges faced in the state.
Group 1: Identify the connection between climate change conflict and food insecurity in Benue State
- What is Climate?
The climate is referred to as a long-term shift in temperature and weather patterns. It also includes natural and man-made activities.
2. What is Climate Change Conflict?
- Global warming
- Raising sea level
- Disruption of human activities
- Taking over farmlands
- Throwing people out of job
3. How does Climate Change Conflict connect to Food Insecurity?
- Shortage of food commodities
- Hunger in families
- Poor Economy
- Lack of a balance diet
- Increase in crime activities
Group 2: What are possible ways that can reduce the risks of climate change on conflict and food insecurity in Nigeria?
- Agriculture
- Improved technology e.g tractor
- Improved varieties of crops
- Crops that can produce for a short period
- Application of fertilizers
2. Irrigation System Settlement
- Change in style of building
- Location of building on high land areas to avoid flooding affecting them
- Building of dams
3. Transportation
- Construction of drainages for water to flow
- Dredge of River Benue
Group 3: What roles can peace Workers (Interfaith) and religious leaders can play in tackling the challenges of climate change?
- Sensitization by bringing all stakeholders to the track of climate change
- Early warning about flooding and their response
- Giving the affected people psychoemotional counselling (giving them hope) and subsequently providing them with their necessities
- Food Security Issues
- Sensitize stakeholders about all seasoned families (by making dams, and water reservoirs)
- Teaching about proper process, preservation and storage of food to avoid wastage
- A hungry man is an angry man, who is likely to have crisis/violence. Therefore:
- More awareness and satisfaction on tolerance concerning issues
- When all the above are observed, and considered, idleness, unemployment together with conflicts and violence will be maximise
