The Women Environmental Programme (WEP), a non-governmental organization, has announced plans to empower 100 people in Benue State through aquaponic farming and climate-smart mini ranches.
Ms. Damaris Uja, Head of Programmes at WEP, disclosed this on Thursday at a project inception meeting in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
She said the project is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the SPRiNG Programme and implemented in partnership with Tetra Tech International Development and ActionAid Nigeria.
Uja explained that the initiative was designed to address persistent farmer-herder conflicts caused by climate-induced resource pressures, declining agricultural productivity, and limited livelihood opportunities.
“Through this project, we will establish an aquaponic farm and provide technical training for farmers. We will also set up climate-smart mini ranches and deliver livestock management training for pastoralists,” she said.
According to Uja, the overall goal is to enhance food security, household income, and climate resilience for vulnerable farming and pastoralist communities. She noted that 10 percent of the 100 beneficiaries will be youth, while five percent will be persons living with disabilities.
The project runs from November 2025 to March 2026 and is being implemented in Benue (Katsina-Ala LGA) and Katsina State (Batagarawa LGA).
“These challenges disproportionately affect women, youth, and persons with disabilities, who are often the most vulnerable to insecurity and economic disruption. The project seeks to improve food security, household income, climate resilience, and peaceful coexistence between farmers and pastoralists through two inclusive, climate-smart livelihood models,” she said.
Uja described the models as follows:
- Aquaponic Farming Systems – a home-based, water-efficient method that combines fish and vegetable cultivation, suitable for women, youth, and persons with disabilities who face mobility or land-access constraints.
- Community-Managed Climate-Smart Mini Ranches – a structured alternative to open grazing that integrates fodder cultivation, improved livestock management, and community governance to reduce land-use conflicts and promote sustainable pastoralism.
The Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Mr. Justine Shaku, pledged support for the project, assuring that land would be provided. He was accompanied by the District Head of Michihe Council Ward and leaders of five kindreds in the ward.
Community members also expressed interest and committed to supporting the initiative.
