THE 7 TH LAGOS STATE SUMMIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE A LEAD PAPER PRESENTED BY PRINCE GBOLAHAN LAWAL THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES (MAC) ON WEDNESDAY, 22 nd APRIL, 2015 AT EKO HOTEL AND SUITES, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS. 1

-Topic- AGRICULTURE: A STRATEGY FOR MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROVIDING FOOD SECURITY 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1)PROLOGUE 2)INTRODUCTION 3)OBJECTIVES 4)CHALLENGIES FACING AGRICULTURE IN THE STATE 5)NOTICCEABLE IMPACTS ATTRIBUTALE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN AGRICULTURE 6)MINISTRY’S PRAGMATIC APPROACH AND SUCCESS STORIES ON CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION 7)CONCLUSION 3

PROLOGUE. Richard Munang has observed that “current systems of production will only be able to meet 13% of the continent`s food needs by 2050, while three out of four people added to the planet between now and 2100 will be born in the region. In the coming half century, the land we grow our food on will change. This will make feeding the World’s growing population a complicated task. Higher temperatures could cause total farm yields to drop by 15-20% across all African regions. All at once, the 65% of the African workforce who directly depend on agriculture as their life blood will become the most threatened by climate change and affected food patterns. 4

Introduction Agriculture is considered to be the most potentially viable sector players of the Nigerian economy. In addition to providing us with much of our food, the crops, livestock, and seafood that are grown, raised, and caught in Nigeria, it provides employment for 70% of the population and contributes to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and export revenue earnings. 5

Objectives The objectives of this presentation are: To showcase the Ministry’s success stories on agriculture as a key sector for mitigating climate change. To use agriculture as a catalyst for providing food security in the global economic downturn. 6

Challenges facing Agriculture in the State.  High population density.  High industrialized status.  High pressure on land for non- agricultural purposes.  Uncertain climatic conditions. 7

Noticeable Impacts Attributable to Climate Change on Agriculture 1. Increase in temperature (soil and water). 2. Change in rainfall pattern. 3.Heavy rainfall resulting into floods on farmland. 4.Shifts in agricultural season. 5. Shifts in patterns of agriculture. 6.Coastal erosion 7.Vulnerability of riverine and coastal to the impact of climate change and such include; i.Sea level rise ii.Flooding iii.Loss of biodiversity iv.Depletion of water bodies and desertification v.Temperature change that will affect fish phyisology 8.And volatility in Global food prices, which ultimately affects 8

The Ministry’s Pragmatic Approach and Success Stories on Climate Change Mitigation and Food Security. 9

Establishment of Functional Climate Change Desk Office (CCDO). The oversight functions of CCDO are:  Dissemination of weekly weather information to assist farmers in planning.  Production of monthly weather report for careful and proper planning of State agricultural activities.  Training of Agroprenuers on modern agricultural techniques and skills on mitigating the challenges of climate change.  Sensitization, education and creation of awareness on the impact of climate change and mitigation strategy for farmers. 10