Climate change-related challenges such as shifts in seasons and extreme weather events are challenges that local communities grapple with.
Events such as perennial flooding occasioned by an increase in rainfall could pose a threat to food security in flood-prone communities, mostly riverine areas in Rivers State, Nigeria. These communities are particularly vulnerable, as floods can destroy crops, livestock, and livelihoods, and displace people from their homes.
In a recent interview on Nigeria Info FM’s Hard Facts, Professor of Agriculture Olufemi Adesope of the University of Port Harcourt proposed a thought-provoking strategy for ensuring food security in these communities. He suggested that local governments should create emergency food reserves.
Professor Adesope argued that emergency food reserves are essential for flood preparedness and response as they can help to reduce the impact of floods on food security and protect the livelihoods of people in flood-prone areas.
Also, to beat the effect of flooding, he recommended that farmers start planting early in the planting season so they can harvest early. He further advised a diversification of crops as a climate-smart agricultural practice.
“There are flood-resistant crops, we can promote things like that,” he said.
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