Abuja, Nigeria–A UK-funded initiative, Propcom+, has concluded a three-day training and field tour aimed at equipping journalists with the tools and expertise to report more effectively on climate-smart agriculture in Nigeria.
The programme, which brought together media professionals from northern Nigeria, Lagos, and Abuja, focused on improving understanding of innovative agricultural practices that promote environmental sustainability, build resilience, and strengthen food systems.
Funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Propcom+ is an eight-year programme (2023–2030) dedicated to transforming Nigeria’s agriculture and land-use systems into climate-resilient and sustainable drivers of inclusive economic growth.
In her opening remarks, the Country Representative of Propcom+, Dr. Adiya Ode, said the initiative aims to support over four million rural farmers—at least half of whom are women—to adapt to climate change, increase productivity, and protect vital ecosystems.
“The programme is already delivering practical innovations that are transforming the livelihoods of farmers and entrepreneurs across the country,” Dr. Ode noted.
Among the highlighted innovations were the distribution of climate-resilient, biofortified seeds through local outgrowers, and the deployment of solar-powered cold storage units for livestock vaccines, administered by trained Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs). These solutions, she added, are boosting productivity, creating jobs, and safeguarding livelihoods in underserved areas.
In a presentation titled The Role of Media in Climate-Smart Agriculture Reporting and Advocacy, training facilitator and media development expert Adam Alqali urged journalists to serve as catalysts for resilience through informed, inclusive, and solutions-driven reporting.
Alqali encouraged participants to employ human-interest storytelling techniques, including narrative structure, direct quotes, visual elements, and hopeful conclusions to enhance public engagement and influence policy.
“Journalists are vital partners in shaping Nigeria’s climate-smart agriculture future. Through compelling reporting, they can drive national conversations and inspire action,” he stated.
The training also featured virtual sessions from the Propcom+ technical team and a field tour, offering participants firsthand exposure to rural communities benefitting from climate-smart agricultural interventions.
The capacity-building initiative is part of Propcom+’s broader strategy to bridge the knowledge gap between climate policy and public awareness, ensuring the media plays a central role in advocating for sustainable agricultural reforms in Nigeria.
By Enoch odesola/ August 28,2025
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