In a bid to strengthen climate-resilient agricultural practices, IFAD has completed its second cohort training on Social, Environmental, and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP), aiming to integrate sustainability and climate resilience into agricultural projects across Nigeria.

The four-day training, held from December 2 to 5, 2024 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State which hosted 32 participants, including environment and climate change officers, policymakers, and technical experts from IFAD-supported projects like Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger-Delta (LIFE-ND), Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ).

The workshop focused on building participants’ capacity to apply SECAP principles, ensuring environmentally and socially responsible agricultural practices. Participants received training on topics such as stakeholder engagement, project monitoring, grievance redress mechanisms, and procurement integration.

Reflecting on the training’s impact, Environment and Climate Change Officer from VCDP, Nassarawa State, Joseph Monday said he can now integrate SECAP’s procedures in his projects.

“The first thing I learnt is how to integrate SECAP procedures into my company’s activities. This will help train beneficiaries and facilitate budgetary provisions for SECAP implementation.”

National Environment and Climate Change Officer for LIFE-ND, Gbemigo Watigere emphasized knowledge dissemination within her organization.

“Our commitment is to spread this concept to our beneficiaries, service providers, and support staff. The teaching was simplified, practical, and hands-on.”

Consultant to IFAD and SECAP Training Facilitator, Priscilla Achakpa highlighted the strategic inclusion of both policymakers and field implementers.

“We brought the two groups together to bridge the gap between implementation and policy. This ensures that environmental, social, and climate issues are integrated into every stage of the project lifecycle, from design to procurement and field implementation.”

The training featured a mix of expert-led presentations, case studies from ongoing IFAD projects, and practical exercises on stakeholder risk assessment and grievance resolution. Participants explored the role of community engagement in ensuring project success and sustainability.

Achakpa further stressed the significance of multi-level collaboration, involving federal and state ministries such as Finance and Agriculture, noting
“These ministries are key because the Ministry of Finance is the borrower of the funds, while the Ministry of Agriculture oversees implementation. Their involvement ensures that SECAP principles are embedded in all project phases.”

The workshop concluded with the creation of a SECAP Community of Practice to sustain learning and facilitate knowledge-sharing. Participants drafted action plans to implement SECAP guidelines, emphasizing the need for adequate budgetary support, continuous training, and grassroots-level engagement.

Expressing gratitude, participants commended IFAD, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the facilitators for organizing the impactful training while advocating for follow-up support and future advanced training sessions.