Borno gov calls for global climate response to safeguard African agriculture

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno State, has called for urgent, coordinated efforts to tackle the growing impact of climate change on agriculture across Africa.

Zulum made the appeal on Monday at the ongoing 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage, taking place in Abuja. He stressed the need for inclusive irrigation systems and resilient food production strategies to combat the escalating climate crisis.

The governor warned that Africa stands at a crossroads between vulnerability and resilience.

“Across sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 65 per cent of farmland is rain-fed. But the rain no longer comes as it once did. Seasons are shrinking, droughts are intensifying, and floods are becoming more severe,” he said.

Citing the World Bank’s 2023 Climate Smart Agriculture Report, the governor noted a significant shift in rainfall patterns in the Sahel region by as much as 20 to 30 percent over the past decade.

“The consequences are dire, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) projects a 50 per cent reduction in crop yields by 2030 if current climate trends continue,” he said.

“That is not just a statistic, it’s a direct threat to food security, public health, and the future of millions.

“In spite of contributing less than 4 per cent of global emissions, Africa continues to bear some of the worst effects of climate change.

“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports a 30 per cent rise in extreme weather events in the region since the 1990s.

“One of the starkest examples is Lake Chad, which has lost more than 90 per cent of its volume since the 1960s. Irrigation is no longer optional, it is indispensable.”

Zulum called for a shift from rain-dependent farming to climate-smart agriculture, urging investment in efficient and inclusive irrigation systems.

He highlighted Borno’s efforts in laying the foundation for agricultural renewal through sustainable irrigation projects. But he insisted that such efforts must be continent-wide.

Zulum urged development partners to align with Africa’s home-grown solutions.

“Innovation must not be a privilege of the few. Our approach must empower smallholder farmers, especially women and youth who are the backbone of rural agriculture,” he said.

“Today is about a shared African journey, a unified strategy for irrigation and water governance that requires bold policy reform, investment, and community inclusion.

“We seek not dependency, but strategic partnership. Let us build systems that withstand climate shocks and restore dignity to our people.”