KADUNA/Nigeria: Dr Adamu Aliyu, a lecturer at the Kaduna State University, says agriculture is a significant contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The university don has also described agriculture as the most important sector in Nigeria.
He spoke in a presentation at a conference on science Journalism, organized by African Climate Change Reporters, in conjunction with Womanhood Foundation of Nigeria, on Saturday in Kaduna.
At the Conference which has as its theme: “Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Produce,” Aliyu said:
“Agriculture has been a source of employment for about 80 per cent of the rural population.
“It has a positive impact as a source of food and raw materials, just as climate change has both positive and negative impacts on agricultural produce.”
“On the positive impact, it reduces heating cost for agricultural crops grown in the protected cultivation facility.
“On the negative aspect, it reduces cultivation areas due to flood, increases sea level, diversification and erosion, among others.”
In his presentation on the tool on herbal plants, a Pharmacist, Mr Bryan Ekoja, of Womanhood foundation of Nigeria, advised that data of medical plant should be collected
While calling for an improved funding of agriculture, Ekoja averred that clean energy policies have to be encouraged in the country.
Ekoja also explained “climate change has effects on medicinal plants, elevates the level of carbon dioxide, drought and cold conditions are some of the major abiotic factors responsible for the changing climate condition.
“And it is this factor that directly influences growth, production and synthesis of plants, as well as their secondary metabolism.
“There is an evidence that climate change is causing noticeable effects on the life cycle and distribution of the medicinal plants.”
Also speaking, Alhaji Sanusi Maikudi, General Manager, Kaduna state water board, called on the general public to steer clear of habits damaging the environment.
He said, “the greatest gift to mankind is environment, the atmosphere, biosphere, while damaging the environment can cause serious disasters.
“There is therefore the need to manage the environment, even as the environment survives by cleaning itself.”
Maikudi thanked the organizers of the event, saying, “it came at the right time by reminding the people on the need to adequately protect their environment.
