A Call for Collaborative Action to Combat Desertification

In a recent assessment tour of Kebbi and Yobe states of Nigeria, we witnessed firsthand the profound impact of desertification, drought, and arid land degradation on rural communities' social and economic well-being. These regions, identified as hotspots in Nigeria's Land Degradation report by the Federal Ministry of Environment, are grappling with a crisis that transcends mere statistics — it's a human predicament.

The plight of the people in these areas, situated on the frontlines of ecological upheaval, extends beyond documented rhetoric. Residents feel helpless in the face of land degradation, exacerbated by climatic variations and anthropogenic factors such as extensive cultivation, deforestation, bush burning, overgrazing, and urbanization. The Sahara Desert, expanding daily, erodes and dries the land, contributing to food insecurity, migration, and conflicts between cattle herders and farmers.

Yusufari village in Yobe state epitomizes the dire circumstances faced by communities affected by land arid degradation and climate crisis. Lack of clean water, adequate food, and educational facilities pose existential threats. The growing insecurity in the region, mainly due to economic and environmental crises, further impedes efforts to bring relief. Humanitarian organizations, particularly smaller ones, struggle to access affected villages due to financial constraints in mobilizing security operatives for protection during service delivery.

My team and I took a calculated risk, spending 48 hours on the road to reach these areas, aiming to understand the challenges intimately. The consequences of desertification, arid land degradation, and climate crisis are far-reaching — unemployment, poverty, hunger, malnutrition, disease, criminality, depletion of buffer zones, and death. Urgent intervention is imperative.

To address these challenges, RUWAI advocates for a multi-faceted approach. Education, awareness, and advocacy must be intensified. Promoting Climate-resilient agricultural skills, especially for vulnerable groups like women and youth, is critical for sustainable resource management. Teaching alternative income-earning skills like crafts and entrepreneurship can help diversify the income streams of the affected local people, thereby improving the rural economy, reducing pressure on natural resources and allowing regeneration.

Specifically, RUWAI advocates aggressive tree planting, agroforestry, water retention or harvesting, improved well and borehole infrastructure, school tree planting and establishing school food gardens, ?intercropping skills, farming incentives, and access to renewable energy adoption. Nigeria loses 351,000 hectares of arable land annually, with the Sahara Desert encroaching at an alarming rate of 0.6 KM annually. A comprehensive investment in climate change adaptation is required to enhance climate transition.

The Rural Watch Africa Initiative-RUWAI programs are designed to alleviate environmental degradation and foster nature conservation for sustainable farming and food production by smallholder farmers. The initiative aims to empower marginalized rural communities through agroforestry, skills development, and new business ventures, simultaneously reducing poverty and ecological damage.

To achieve this ambitious goal, RUWAI continues to seek strategic collaboration and partnership. I call upon all stakeholders to join hands in this crucial endeavour. Together, we can make a tangible impact, nurturing hope and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

In the spirit of shared responsibility, let us invest in climate change adaptation, reduce vulnerability, and increase resilience. The time for action is now. Join RUWAI in Nurturing Hope and Transforming Lives!

To learn more about the Rural Watch Africa Initiative for partnership email [email protected] or visit the website .

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