Food Security: KAICIID, PaRD Train Benue Farmers, Herders, IDPs on Sustainable Agriculture, Nutrition Education, Climate-Resilient Farming

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

As part of efforts to mitigate the devastation caused to food security by conflicts and climate change in Benue State, the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) and the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD), has trained farmers, herders and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State on sustainable agriculture, nutrition education and climate-resilient farming.

The project, themed “Scale-Up: Strengthening Food Security Sensitization, Awareness and Policy Engagement in Nigeria,” is being implemented by IDFP in conjunction with the Interfaith Dialogue Network (IDN), Benue State.
The Co-Secretary of IDFP, Imam Shefiu Abdulkareem, who addressed participants at the three-day training in Makurdi, said Benue State is confronted with several challenges, including farmer-herder conflicts, climate change and weak agricultural systems.
He noted that persistent conflicts and violence in communities across the state have displaced farming populations, leading to the abandonment of farmlands, reduced agricultural production, food insecurity and malnutrition.
He explained that the organisations adopted a faith-based approach to achieving food security and peace because religious leaders are trusted figures within communities. According to him, they are deeply embedded in local structures, influential in shaping attitudes and behaviours, and have proven effective in mediating conflicts and promoting peace and food security.
Imam Abdulkareem further stated that the training was designed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in climate-smart agriculture, promote nutrition and food security through sustainable practices, leverage their influence for behavioural change and reinforce community structures in the state.
He added that at the end of the training, stakeholders are expected to adopt improved climate-smart agricultural and nutrition-sensitive practices among farmers, herders and community actors, as well as enhance collaboration and social cohesion to foster peaceful coexistence and community resilience.
The Deputy Director of Research and Collaboration at the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Prof. Sylvester Adejo, observed that climate change and conflicts have negatively impacted food and nutrition security due to declining food production.
Speaking on the topic, “Food Security, Nutrition and Climate Resilience Interconnectivity: The Benue Situation,” Prof. Adejo emphasised the need for adaptation strategies to cushion the effects of climate change and ensure bumper harvests.
Also speaking, Mr. Ezekiel Ode of CEFTER, who delivered a presentation on “Understanding Food Security and Nutrition,” decried the effects of malnutrition on human growth and development. He stressed that food security and proper nutrition are essential for productivity and economic growth, and for addressing hunger and malnutrition. He commended IDFP for the initiative and urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Earlier, the Co-Publicity Secretary of IDFP, Hajia Amina Kazaure, welcomed participants and noted that access to adequate and nutritious food is vital for peace, happiness and unity in communities. She assured them that the training would equip them with the necessary skills to improve food production and nutrition for the benefit of their families and the people of Benue State.
Participants drawn from various IDP camps and communities in Benue State, including Mrs. Awashima Ajinde, the Women Leader at the International Market IDP Camp; Emmanuel Atsea from Gwer West Local Government Area; and the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Benue State, Ernest Atoji, among others, expressed appreciation to IDFP and its partners for the initiative. They called for collaboration with federal and state governments, as well as relevant agencies, to facilitate their return to their ancestral homes.
The event concluded with a practical food and nutrition demonstration held at the Ter Makurdi’s office in Makurdi.