By Gabriel Agbeja
E LAFI SOU Foundation, People Planet and Peace Foundation (PPPF) have trained 100 indigene of Djebonoua community on agroforestry to tackle climate change.
The training, which held on Sunday in Djebonoua, central Côte d’Ivoire, was aimed at equipping participants with practical knowledge and skills on strengthening climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The training also equipped them with sustainable agricultural practices that promote environmental conservation and improved productivity.
Speaking at the event, President of E LAFI SOU Foundation, Mr Koffi Matieu, said the programme was designed to help participants understand the fundamentals of agroforestry and effectively apply the concepts in their communities.
According to him, the initiative seeks to enhance participants’ capacity to design and implement agroforestry systems that are adapted to local realities and environmental challenges.
A forest expert and guest speaker at the event, Mr Kotne Arthur, described agroecology as an integrated approach that applies ecological principles to the design and sustainable management of agricultural systems.
He said agroecology optimises interactions among plants, animals, humans and the environment, thereby improving productivity, resilience, biodiversity and sustainability.
Arthur noted that mitigation and adaptation remained two complementary strategies in addressing climate change.
“Mitigation focuses on addressing the causes of climate change, while adaptation focuses on responding to its consequences,” he said.
He urged participants to put the knowledge acquired from the training into practice in their farming activities.
“The certificates you are receiving today belong to you, but applying what you have learnt will benefit both you and your community in the fight against climate change,” he said.
In a related development, the Sub-Prefect of Djebonoua, Mrs Karamoko Sinia, pledged to intensify advocacy against indiscriminate tree felling in the community during a visit by members of the Climate Beyond Borders Caravan (CBBC).
Sinia said Djebonoua remained the leading producer of tomatoes in Côte d’Ivoire but faced major challenges, including post-harvest losses and inadequate water supply for farming.
“Although we produce more tomatoes than other communities, our farmers earn little due to wastage. Water scarcity is also a major challenge affecting agricultural production,” she said.
Responding, CBBC Secretary in Nigeria, Miss Kumuyi Olabisi, assured the community of PPPF’s support in addressing some of the identified challenges.
She said the organisation would assist in providing water reservoirs for irrigation and also support initiatives in maternal and child healthcare.
Olabisi added that the foundation would explore ways of assisting farmers with tomato preservation facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and improve incomes.
According to her, CBBC is a Pan-African, youth-led initiative committed to promoting climate justice, cross-border cooperation and green economic transformation across the continent.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
