African farmers urged to adopt ‘Climate-smart approach’

Nigeria was able to avert major food crisis aftermath of the 2012 flood in major parts of the country that affected many farms, but countries in the horn of Africa are not that lucky with the ravaging droughts with devastating effects on crops and livestock production.

These are effects of climate change that are already posing challenges to the production food and abilities of some countries in the continent to feed the growing population of the continent.

Speaking at the presentation of  the 2014 African Agriculture Status Report (AASR)  prepared by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), former President of Ghana and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kufuor, said one of the key sectors that is already and will increasingly be affected by climate change is agriculture.

“Rapid and uncertain changes in rainfall patterns and temperature regimes threaten food production, increase the

Nigeria has no business being net importer of food, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan said Nigeria has no business being a net importer of food.

The president, who spoke on Monday at the commissioning of Olam Rice Mill in Rukubi Local Government Area of Nassarawa State, said, “Nigeria’s position as the largest economy in Africa is not enough unless we attain food sufficiency target of 2015, and even within the next 5 years begin exportation of rice and other staple food.”

He lauded Olam Farms for growing the rural economy with investment worth over $72 million that has 1,000 workers mostly rural women and youths in Nassarawa State.

Jonathan, who expressed believe that