Anthony Nyong University of Jos, Nigeria UNFCCC In-Session Workshop on Impacts of, and vulnerability and Adaptation to, Climate Change. Hotel Maritim, Bonn, Germany 18 June 2004 Adapting to Droughts Among Poor Rural Households in Semi-arid Nigeria: Influencing Factors and Enhancing Opportunities

Acknowledgement This report outlines some of the experiences drawn from an AIACC supported project on Assessing the Vulnerability and Adaptation of Households to droughts in the West African Sahel. Funding for AIACC (Assessment of Impacts and Adaptations to Climate Change in Multiple Regions) was provided by GEF, USAID, CIDA and USEPA. AIACC is jointly administered by START (Global SysTems for Analysis, Research and Training) and TWAS (Third World Academy of Science)

“ Africa is Highly Vulnerable to Climate Change.” IPCC 2001

Introduction Climate is changing with far reaching impacts Recurrent drought is a major climatic problem affecting the livelihoods of the people in semi-arid northern Nigeria. Not everyone is equally vulnerable. Some have already adapted to the phenomenon, while others have not. So: Who has adapted? How have they adapted? What factors influence their capacity to adapt?, and What enhancement opportunities exist to further increase their adaptive capacity?

Project Context From the beginning of the 20 th Century, the following drought events have been recorded in Northern Nigeria: – – – –

Adaptation Strategies Use of shallow wells Small-scale irrigation initiatives Planting of drought-resistant crop varieties Nomadism (transhumance) Crop and animal diversification Income diversification Reliance on neglected local food resources Relocation and migration

Influencing Factors (1) Availability of Resources Financial Resources Human and Natural capital Socio-cultural capital Appropriate Technology Water Extraction and storage Climate forecast Improved cropping systems and varieties

Influencing Factors 2 Government Policy National Drought Action Plan Nomadic Education Program Strategic Grains Reserve Program Fadama Agriculture Program National Emergency Management Agency National Agency for Poverty Eradication NEEDS

Influencing Factors (3) Capacity Building through Establishment of Regional and National Institutions. Presidential Implementation Committee on CDM Attitudes and Perception of Stakeholders The “victim” syndrome Common Resource

Enhancing Opportunities for Adaptation (1) Government Policy Setting of long term national goals Mainstreaming adaptation into national economic policies Elimination of edge problems in managing drought and climate change issues Institutional change (credit facilities, pricing & market policies) Pursue beneficial impacts of climate change Provide for the security of Lives

Enhancing Opportunities for Adaptation (2) Agricultural systems Develop new varieties in line with local norms (indigenous research) Introduce appropriate technology Evolve a system of attitudinal change in unsustainable agricultural practices Extension services on information dissemination Capacity Building Build on Indigenous Knowledge to develop good practice guidance for the design of adaptation strategies Establishment of a data bank to collate researches and information on vulnerabilities and adaptation

So? What do the people want?

Listen to the stakeholders As proposed by project sponsor As specified in project request As designed by senior analyst As produced by the programmers As installed at the user’s site What the user wanted