Community-Centered Adaptation in Abatete Town, Anambra State, Nigeria
Local farmers in Abatete Town, Anambra State, Nigeria, experienced recurrent flooding and severe gully erosion that destroyed farmlands, damaged access roads, and threatened agricultural livelihoods. In response, the community developed a community-centered adaptation plan informed by shared experiences of changing rainfall patterns and repeated flood impacts. Through local observations and collective discussions, farmers identified their most vulnerable areas, low-lying farms, sloping terraces, and active gully sites which guided the design of targeted adaptation actions
To address these challenges, farmers adopted Nature Based Solutions (NBSs) and Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) approaches rooted in indigenous knowledge and local values. Measures included planting erosion-resistant trees along gully sites, using sandbags to slow runoff, constructing high ridges and mounds to control floodwater, and stabilizing soils with periwinkle shells, palm kernel shells, and carpet grass.
Implementation relied on collective decision-making and cooperation among farmers, supported by informal leadership and mutual agreements that helped manage land-use responsibilities and prevent conflicts. Despite limited external support and low awareness of formal climate policies, the adaptation measures met community expectations by reducing erosion, protecting farmlands, and improving livelihood security.
Source:
Okeke C.U. 2024. Community Resilience: Integrating Local Approaches into Nigeria's Climate Change Adaptation Agenda.