The Borno State Agro-Climatic Residence in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, in collaboration with its focal NGO, organized FAO and Ngamdu Community stakeholders’ engagement in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The primary objective of the meeting was to gather insights and facilitate discussions regarding interventions by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The meeting brought together a diverse group of participants, including traditional leaders, women, and youth, who play crucial roles in community mobilization and decision-making processes. Their involvement was instrumental in identifying the needs and priorities of the local communities.
The project coordinator of Borno ACReSAL, Mr. Ayuba Peter, represented by Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Bukar Madu Goba, emphasized the importance of community leaders actively participating in the meeting. He encouraged them to leverage the occasion to enhance their livelihoods.
Mr. Goba assured participants that feedback from traditional leaders would be incorporated into project planning and implementation phases, ensuring interventions are tailored to address community needs.
The FAO team leader, Engineer Agbesor Precious, outlined FAO’s mission to restore degraded lands, improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and build resilience against climate change.
The Village Head of Ngamdu, Babagana Abba, and the Ward Head of Ngamdu, Ba Lawan Goroma, expressed their gratitude for the initiative. They highlighted pressing issues faced by farmers, including:
The need for financial support to boost agricultural activities.
Challenges related to soil degradation, which adversely affects productivity.
Community leader Aji Alhassan noted the value gained from the ACReSAL project and expressed hope for further benefits through FAO’s involvement.
Collaboration Opportunities
Discussions included potential partnerships between the ACReSAL project and local communities.
Topics such as:
– Sustainable agroforestry practices.
– Soil conservation measures.
– Effective water management strategies among others were discussed.
The engagement concluded with team visits to existing FAO intervention sites focusing on land restoration and identification of new areas for potential FAO interventions.
Conclusion:
The meeting served as a significant platform for dialogue between community leaders and project stakeholders, facilitating the identification and prioritization of community needs in relation to FAO’s interventions.
The collaborative approach fostered during this engagement is expected to lead to impactful strategies that enhance agricultural productivity, address environmental challenges, and promote sustainable practices within the communities of Ngamdu, Kaga LGA.
25th March, 2025
Timothy Butu Mwada
Communication officer.
PICTURES FROM THE EVENTS
