By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

Stakeholders in agriculture and environmental sectors yesterday urged urgent, coordinated action to combat rising deforestation and food insecurity in Cross River State.

The call came at the second multi-stakeholder workshop on Participatory Integrated Landscape Approach under the GEF7 FOLUR-NG project, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with the Federal Government and Cross River State Government.

Held at Danic Hotel in Calabar, the event drew policymakers, development partners, researchers, and community representatives to review progress from the project’s first phase and bolster collaboration for sustainable land use and food systems.

Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, who described himself as a farmer and academic, stressed agriculture and sustainable land management’s role in tackling food challenges.

He warned that environmental degradation threatens livelihoods, particularly for rural women and smallholder farmers.

“As our land gets depleted, we must deliberately restore it. Our farmers, especially those in rural areas, depend heavily on the land, and without conscious efforts to sustain it, food production will continue to decline,” Enoh said.

Chief Technical Adviser, Prof. Adebayo Shittu, explained Cross River’s selection as a pilot state due to its vast forests and Nigeria’s biodiversity hotspot status.

“Most of the remaining forests in Nigeria are found in Cross River State, but they are being lost at an alarming rate.

“This project is designed to promote sustainable food systems, land use, and restoration of degraded landscapes,” he said.

he project, also covering Ondo State, targets food security, job creation, and sustainable resource use in the Niger Delta.

Technical Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Dr. Obun Dan, representing the Commissioner, highlighted pressures from agricultural expansion and deforestation.

“The challenges of land degradation require deliberate, coordinated, and inclusive actions.

This project creates an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders while promoting climate-smart agricultural practices,” Dan said.

He affirmed the state’s commitment to modernising farming, improving data, and attracting investments.

PILLAR Coordinator, Saren Miller, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of International Donor Coordination, Dr. Balinwo Ofegobi, emphasised participatory approaches and partnerships for lasting impact.