Farmers in Kano State have been advised to plant resilient crops in order to the overcome the challenges posed by climate change in the region.
The stakeholders gave the advice during a meeting of the Technical Working Group of Kano on Germplasm User Group, organised by National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) on Friday in Kano.
The acting-Director of NACGRAB, Dr Anthony Okere, said the centre was to collect and conserve valuable genetic resources for food and agriculture and ensure that they were used sustainably.
Okere, represented by Dr Abisoye Ojo, Deputy Director at NACGRAB, said the project was aimed at improving the use and management of germplasm collections through germplasm users engagement.
He said that the project’s target was to address climate change and encourage Nigerian farmers to adopt the centre’s climate resilient seeds under the ‘Crop for Resilience’ project.
Meanwhile, Dr Mayowa Olubiyi, from NACGRAB, noted that the centre was committed keeping the rich genetic resources of the nation, with a view to enhancing agricultural, economic and social development.
He said that the Technical Working Group and the center would continue to support and guide the farmers on selecting the right variety for cultivation.
Similarly, Prof. Sanusi Gaya of Center for Dry Land Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano, urged farmers to embrace climate-resilient crops and good agricultural practices in order to improve their yields and ensure food security in the country.
“It is important to educate and equip farmers with modern and climate-smart agricultural practices, considering the effects of climate change on agriculture,” he said.
