The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) on Friday, said it is advancing climate-smart agriculture and forest restoration in communities across Bayelsa State.
The Climate Change Lead at the NCF, Mr. Shittu Usman, said this in Yenagoa, at a stakeholders meeting with the theme: “Catalysing Local Action for Climate Justice in Nigeria”.
Key highlights:
- NCF is promoting climate-smart agriculture and forest restoration in Bayelsa.
- The project targets communities around the proposed Edumanon National Park.
- Residents were trained in climate-smart farming and tree nursery management.
- Women and youths received support to boost livelihoods and conservation.
- The initiative aims to strengthen climate resilience and biodiversity.
According to Usman, communities in the state were increasingly experiencing the realities of climate change, from shifting rainfall patterns to declining soil productivity and pressure on forest ecosystems.
He said that in response, the NCF with support from the Ford Foundation, is implementing a targeted intervention to strengthen resilience, improve livelihoods, and promote biodiversity conservation in the support zone of the proposed Edumanon National Park.
He explained that the project was designed to build a strong foundation for community-led climate resilience by combining livelihood support, environmental conservation, and local governance.
“Through continuous engagement and capacity building, we hope to encourage long-term sustainable practices across the communities.
“The communities include Idema, Obeduma, and Eboh communities.,” he said.
He added that aside from integrating climate-smart agriculture, it wouls also integrate women-led economic empowerment, youth engagement in forest restoration, and strengthened community governance systems, thereby creating a holistic model for climate action at the grassroots level.
The NCF climate change lead said that at the heart of the intervention was sustainable agriculture.
According to him, a total of 100 community members, including men, women, and youths have already been trained on climate smart agriculture practices.
“The training focused on sustainable land preparation, crop diversification, soil fertility management, and climate-resilient farming techniques.
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“To ensure practical application, 1,000 improved plantain suckers were distributed across the three communities.
“Demonstration farms were also established, serving as local learning hubs where farmers can observe and replicate best practices to improve yields and adapt to climate variability,” he stated.
Usman further said that recognising the central role of women in food systems and family nutrition, 40 women were trained in vegetable gardening techniques.
He said that the training emphasised small-scale, high-yield production methods, organic manure use, and efficient water management practices.
He added that participants received improved vegetable seeds such as okra, tomato, and pumpkin.
“The intervention is expected to strengthen household nutrition, enhance food security, and provide an additional source of income for women and their families.
“Young people in the communities were also engaged as key drivers of environmental restoration, with 40 youths trained in forest tree nursery development and management, including seed selection, germination, and transplanting techniques.
“Following the training, the youths successfully raised 40,000 tree seedlings within a few weeks. These seedlings are intended for future planting in degraded forest areas, contributing to reforestation, carbon sequestration, and long-term ecosystem restoration,” he said.
Speaking at the event, a Community Development Chairman, Mr. Leslie Odu, said that the programme was helping to deepen awareness within communities about the importance of conservation and sustainable resource management.
Odu also said that the engagement with local leaders was encouraging stronger community participation in protecting forests and mangroves in the state for future generations.
