As part of efforts to mitigate the effect of climate change in food production, farmers have been advised to incorporate climate-smart agricultural practices for better yield in their farm produce.

Climate-smart techniques are new innovations and techniques that insulate agricultural produce from the devastating effects of changes in weather conditions.

 The Director, Tree Crops and Rural Development who doubles as the Climate Change Desk Officer, Mr. James Oyesola made the call in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, during a sensitisation conference for core stakeholders across the cassava value chains, organised by Ogun State Government in collaboration with the Regional Centre for Excellence, Ogun (RCE) of Covenant University, Ota.

Mr. Oyesola said the meeting was borne out of the need to have a holistic view and approach regarding the consequences of climate change on farming and its impact on farmers, especially in the cassava value chain.

He added that the State government had been proactive in advocating for climate smart agricultural practices for farmers, varying from location, specific prediction of weather, land testing and free distribution of cassava stems that are location-specific, as well as training programmes on new technology and techniques of farming.

"We have been on this campaign for climate smart agricultural practices for some time now, and we’re not resting on our oars, because research is always constant. As new results are postulated, we bring this information to our farmers to incorporate in their activities and it has been beneficial to those that adhere to the guidelines. I urge everyone to play their part in mitigating the impact of climate change, because we don't want a situation that can lead to food crisis", he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the RCE, Ogun chapter, Dr. Patience Tunji-Olayeni said the planet is currently going through environmental crisis like flooding and drought which can affect food production negatively, maintaining that all hands should be on deck to prevent the looming food crisis, as government could not do it alone.

"We want to forestall food crisis, that's why we at Covenant University, being a research-intensive institution are joining other groups around the world to make climate demands from our leaders. In Nigeria, our government should invest in climate smart agriculture, research, renewable energy and green jobs for the sustenance of our people and the nation", she stated.

Dr. Tunji-Olayeni noted that further deliberations would be held with government on their resolutions, which would seek new ways to embrace green technology and adaptive measures to curtail hazardous impact of climate change.

Contributing, a member of RCE, Dr. Ngozi Adeleye, revealed that the fact-finding meeting aimed to devise ways to create climate change awareness in the grassroots, saying cassava being a staple food was made the focal point with a view to avert food crisis.

Speaking on behalf of other participants, Rasheed Babatunde and Edun Olanike applauded the organisers for the initiative, saying they are better informed on how to improve their yields.