RAWDP work with farmers to improve hundreds of hectares of land in two drought affected rural communities of Nigeria through the strengthening of the links between Rainwater Harvesting and Soil and Water Conservation within an integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach that underscores gender and capacity building.

Target beneficiaries are mostly farmers (men and women) in many rural communities in parts of Nigeria, where the effects of worsening drought have continued to hamper farming activities. Water mismanagement, inappropriate land use, as well as poor knowledge of anti-drought measures by the farmers have led to land degradation such as soil erosion and loss of the soil’s productive capacity to produce food. Also the limited potential for dry season farming through soil and water conservation, the non-employment of rain water harvesting technology, as well as conflicts over limited water resources had not helped the situation. 

Consequently, local livelihoods are being jeopardized while increasing poverty for thousands of farmers expands. It is expected that the farmers will enrich their knowledge of rainwater harvesting practices and soil and water conservation from a pool of many on-the-farm experiences we promote; gain valuable experience in monitoring and evaluation through farm visits, formulate and agree upon a strategy on how to continue/advance in sharing and implementing rain water harvesting experiences as well as using the project to improve soil management and further options for land management and boost food harvests. 

Climate Change Adaptation

In many parts of the world, including Africa, climate change or extreme events is already occurring and future changes are inevitable. These changes, according to experts, could result in economic losses of about 5-20% of global GDP. It is estimated that, over the coming decades, Africa may lose between 1-2% of its GDP, with some sectors likely to face greater challenges.