Seeds of Change: Empowering Farmers for Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in Abia State

03 Nov Seeds of Change: Empowering Farmers for Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in Abia State

 
 
 
 
On 25th of october, 2025, the Environmental and Social Change Foundation (ESCF) embarked on a transformative mission in Abia State, Nigeria. The visit marked the The launch of a 4-month capacity building project “Empowering Smallholder Women and Youth Farmers on Forest Conservation and Resilient Agricultural Livelihood Through Capacity Building” funded by the Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF). 

This initiative seeks to build the capacity of rural women and youth farmers to adopt sustainable farming methods while protecting forest ecosystems, especially those surrounding the Eme-River Forest Reserve, one of Abia State’s largest forest reserves. 
 
 
 

Climate in Action: Building Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in Eluama-Lodu Community 

The ESCF team, led by  Emma Nzegbule (Project Coordinator), visited the first community, Eluama-Lodu community and was received with joy and traditional rituals of ima-nzu (kaolin blessing) and kola-nut presentation, a symbolic act of peace and hospitality. The community turnout was impressive, comprising mostly women and youth eager to learn and participate in the project. 

 Introducing the Project 
 

Mr. Nzegbule began the session by appreciating the Eluama-Lodu community for their enthusiasm and commitment to local development. He explained that the goal of the project is to “strengthen the capacity of women and youth smallholder farmers in their community to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and engage in forest conservation.” 

He further emphasized that the project would: 

• Provide knowledge and skills for environment-friendly farming. 

• Equip youths and women to protect their forest resources. 

• Make agriculture and forest protection economically rewarding and climate resilient. 

• Run for four months, featuring a series of trainings on sustainable agriculture, forest conservation, and livelihood diversification. 

Following this, the community expressed their full consent and gratitude to ESCF and CJRF for bringing this impactful program to their doorstep. 

 
Participatory Evaluation 
 

To establish a baseline, ESCF conducted a Participatory Evaluation to assess existing knowledge on: 

• Climate-smart agriculture 

• Sustainable forest management 

• Forest food harvesting practices

This participatory approach ensured that the training content was adapted to the community’s current knowledge and needs. 

Training Session: Dry Season Farming 

After the participatory evaluation the team recognized that Eluama farmers rely solely on rain-fed agriculture, the first training session focused on Dry Season Farming as an essential strategy to improve food security and resilience against climate change. 

The session was facilitated by resource persons, each addressing a critical component of dry season farming: 

🌾 Understanding Dry Season Farming 

Mr. Ikpegbu, Director of Forestry (Abia State Ministry of Environment), highlighted that dry season farming allows farmers to grow crops beyond the rainy season using irrigation and water conservation methods. 

He encouraged participants to start small, emphasizing that: 

• Vegetables like okra, cucumber, ugu (fluted pumpkin), pepper, tomato, carrot, and watermelon can thrive during the dry season. 

• Reliable water sources such as rivers, streams, or boreholes are essential. 

• The practice ensures continuous food supply, improved nutrition, higher income, and job creation — all of which contribute to community resilience. 
  

🌾 Land Preparation 

Ms. Ngwuli explained eco-friendly land preparation techniques, discouraging bush burning and promoting organic mulching. 
Key points included: 

• Clearing weeds without burning residues. 

• Enriching soil with compost or poultry manure. 

• Practicing shallow tillage and raised bed farming to improve water retention. 

• Using mulch to reduce evaporation and control weeds. 

• Favoring transplanting over direct seeding for better crop establishment.
   

🌱 Composting for Sustainable Fertility 

Dr. Udoka Obiajunwa introduced composting as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. Participants learned how to convert animal waste and crop residues into organic manure. 

He highlighted that compost: 

• Improves soil fertility and moisture retention. 

• Reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers. 

• Enhances soil structure, productivity, and long-term sustainability. 

 
Community Interaction and Feedback 
 

Participants enthusiastically asked questions, shared experiences, and expressed optimism about trying dry season farming for the first time. The ESCF team provided clarifications, encouragement, and practical tips for success. 

Distribution of Improved Seeds 
 

To kickstart the process, ESCF distributed improved seeds of okra, cucumber, and pepper to women and youth farmers in attendance. This symbolic gesture reinforced the Foundation’s commitment to helping the community implement their new skills immediately. 

To crown the workshop One youth participant summed it up beautifully: 

“We now understand that protecting our forest also protects our farms, our food, and our future.” 

📅 Next Steps 

Upcoming activities for this project include: 

• November 2025: Conclude dry season farming training; begin sustainable forest management module. 

• December 2025 – January 2026: Training on forest food harvesting and apiary (beekeeping). 

• February 2026: Training on forest and crop nursery development plus excursions to reputable farms. 

Join us on this journey toward climate resilience — follow our story on social media and discover more on www.escfoundation.africa.