A Technical Session on the Presentation and Finalisation of the First Phase of the developed Strategic Catchment Management Plans (SCMP) for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) States commenced on Monday in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, where stakeholders met to authenticate data collected during consultations.
This is in collaboration with the 19 northern states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and marks a huge milestone in the country’s efforts to address climate challenges.
The technical session is a follow up to an earlier stakeholders engagement in Kano and a similar one was held in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State to deliberate on the strategic management plan.
At the session, the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar emphasised on the importance of catchment-based planning, revealing that it is guided by natural hydrological flows than political boundaries.
Strategic Catchment Management Plan he says ensures that investments are streamlined to specific needs and natural resources of each catchment area, “so that investments will not be scattered without coordination or cohesion”.
“It requires a delineation, division of given communities, based on the availability of water force”.
He said water does not recognise political boundaries and to prevent conflicts between states, the catchment plans are scientifically developed, ensuring environmental sustainability.
“So, in order to beat any political discussion into it, we designed the Hadeja – Jame’are”, he said.
Hadeja is located in Jigawa state, while Jame’are is in Bauchi state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Temitope Fashedemi said with the country’s experience of climate risks that have resulted in disasters like flooding, rainfall, variability and deforestation, amongst others, has seen agricultural activities diminish in the northern part of the country.
He said ACReSAL has since inception, worked to reverse the adverse effects of land degradation and other problems resulted from climate change, and is closely in alignment with the vision and mission of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Represented by Mr. Lawal Faya, he said the ACReSAL project has supported the ministry’s capacity to respond to the dual challenges of agricultural land degradation and climate change, through strategic partnerships and initiatives.
“ACReSAL has supported the integration of climate-resilient agricultural practices into national programs like the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Card Scheme, and Climate Smart Agriculture Manual Development. “Upgrade of National Soil Testing Laboratories and Conduct of Soil Fertility Evaluation are equally in the pipeline. This will enhance the ministry’s ability to sustainably improve food security, and safeguard rural livelihoods”, he stated.
He said the ministry, through the Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, has received support in Information Communication and Technology (ICT). The technological resources he said, provided through the ACReSAL project, will enhance efficiency, improve data management and capacity to achieve the ministry’s goals.
“We will continue to leverage on this support to advance our mission and further improve our services. The impact of ACReSAL is also evident in the 19 northern states and FCT, where it has directly addressed the vulnerabilities of semi-arid landscapes. Through its interventions, degraded lands have been restored to agricultural productivity, providing critical support and livelihoods.
“The establishment of community-based strategic catchment management systems will empower local populations to sustainably manage their natural resources. Moreover, the project has improved water resource management, ensuring that farmers and communities have access to this essential resource even in times of drought.
“These achievements have not only enhanced food production but have also mitigated the effects of desertification and climate change. The project has fostered a cohesive approach to addressing agro-climatic drawbacks. Training workshops, knowledge-sharing platforms, and capacity-building initiatives have strengthened institutional frameworks across all levels.
“This collaborative spirit ensures that the project’s gains are sustained and all stakeholders are actively engaged in driving its objectives forward”, he enumerated.
Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari, FCNA, FICA, FOSHA, said while reports of the other catchments (six in number) and wetland zones of the country’s northern part are being developed in this first phase, the Hadejia Jama’are strategic catchment management plan was selected to be finalized, based on the government’s development priority and the promise to restore the Nguru wetland.
He disclosed that considering the coverage of the catchments being developed is massive, and also government focused, it became imperative that the catchment management plans are developed in fewer numbers hence, the structure and framework will be adopted for the rest of the remaining catchments.
Mr. Kambari also stated that the ACReSAL project is not only about developing the 20 Strategic Catchment Plans, but that the Federal level and the ACReSAL State Governors have commenced the development of 200 micro catchment management plans which will fit together the Strategic Catchment Management Plans at the state levels.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, R.P Pheelangwa said the Hedeija-Jama’are Catchment is not just a geographical area but, a shared resource that sustains the country.
“Our diverse perspectives, expertise, and experiences enrich our discussions and strengthen our commitment to crafting a holistic and inclusive plan that addresses the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders.
“It is essential that we harness the power of collaboration to address the complex challenges facing the catchment area, from environmental degradation to socioeconomic disparities. Through meaningful dialogue and cooperation, we can identify innovative solutions that promote resilience and sustainability for the communities involved”, the PS, represented by Segun Mukaila Babarinde, the Director, Department of Water Support Services, said.
ACReSAL’s Task Team Lead (TTL), Dr. Joy Iganya Agene said the ACReSAL Project is not limited to the northern part of the country, and looking at Component C of the Project, it talks about institution strengthening.
“When we strengthen institutions at the federal level, everyone will feel the benefits. Meeting on the strategic catchment management planning, which is a trans-boundary discussion shows a holistic approach”, she said.
Dr. Agene said the strategic catchment management plan is not a state activity but, is controlled by water bodies and is trans-boundary.
“That is the reason we brought together states that are sharing the water and land resources in this boundary and watershed”, she said.
“One institution that is not state specific, is the federal government, which accounts for why this strategic catchment management plan is led by the government, and the states are expected to come up with the technical requirements for the finalisation of the plan”, Dr. Agene stated.
The strategic management plan is co-supported by Ministries of Water Resources, and Agriculture and Food Security, under the auspices of the facility given by the World Bank for the 19 northern states and the FCT to access.