The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) concluded its landmark training workshop under the IFAD/Sustain International Programme in Port Harcourt, Rivers State emphasizing grassroots application of social, environmental, and climate standards in agricultural projects.

The workshop, held from November 25 to 28, 2024 brought together 28 participants from key IFAD projects, federal and state government agencies, and international experts.

The training focused on the integration of IFAD’s Social, Environmental, and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP) into project planning and execution. Through a hybrid learning approach, participants engaged in pre-workshop activities via Moodle, followed by in-person sessions that included expert presentations, case studies, and practical exercises.

Driven to empower stakeholders for sustainability, the training showcased real-world applications of SECAP principles, addressing critical issues such as flooding, climate adaptation, and social equity.

National Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Sani Abiodun highlighted the next steps of the program.

“One critical step is to scale this down to the grassroots because ultimately the beneficiaries are the target. We are expected to cascade what we have learned to ensure social, environmental, and climate sustainability in all our projects.”

The Participants echoed they are imbued with actionable steps to integrate these principles into their respective projects, bolstering sustainability and resilience.

Amongst the participants, State Program Coordinator for Anambra State’s Value Chain Development, Deborah Onyefulu described the training as transformative.

“Before this, I didn’t know how environmental officers’ roles span across project phases. I’ve learned so much, and I’m committed to stepping this down to my officers and stakeholders.”

State Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND in Cross River State, Innocent Ogbin reflected on the workshop’s value
“SECAP has taught me how to run an inclusive agricultural program and mitigate environmental challenges. This knowledge will help bring development to rural communities.”

Participants pledged to implement SECAP standards by scaling down learning to grassroots decision-makers, extending training to farmer organizations, and advancing policy dialogue with federal and state governments.

Facilitator and representative of the Centre for Learning, Evaluation, and Results, Jeanean Pretorus expressed her admiration for the participants.

“The level of engagement and application of knowledge has been impressive. The mix of theory and practical exercises ensured that the training will translate into real-world impact”.

The workshop concluded with gratitude to the federal government of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and international experts, with a heartfelt appeal for more such capacity-building initiatives. As Sani summarized, “This is not just a training; it’s a foundation for sustainable rural development.”