BUK HOSTS 5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRYLANDS 05-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) Bayero University Kano (BUK) has concluded arrangements to host the fifth International Conference on Drylands from May 6th to May 8th in Kano.
The Director CDA, Professor Jibrin Mohammed-Jibrin, states this while briefing newsmen in Kano.
He stated that the conference would provide a continental platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration focused on the sustainable management of rangelands and vast ecosystems that support millions of livelihoods across Africa and other dryland regions worldwide.
“The conference will bring together prominent voices from academia, government, civil society, development partners, the private sector, and pastoralist communities,” he explained.
Professor Jibrin stated that, the goal is to explore innovative solutions to the challenges faced in these areas for building resilient, productive, and sustainable rangeland systems.
“In the face of climate change, land degradation, conflict, and socio-economic transformation”
The director pointed out that, the conference responds to the urgent need to reimagine the governance, utilization and restoration of rangelands.
He stressed that, rangelands cover over 40 per cent of the Earth’s terrestrial surface and are home to more than 500 million people,
“many of whom depend on livestock rearing and mixed farming systems”
The director said in sub- Saharan Africa, particularly the Sahel and dry savannah regions, rangelands provide essential ecosystem services such as forage, water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration.
“However, these landscapes are increasingly threatened by climate variability, unsustainable land-use practices, desertification, and violent conflicts linked to natural resource competition,”
Professor Jibrin highlighted that the conference is designed to share state-of-the-art scientific evidence and practical experiences on rangeland health, management, productivity.
“ And to identify strategies for building climate resilience, food and livelihood security, and peace in dryland communities, among other goals”
He noted that, this year’s event will feature keynote addresses by globally renowned experts in dryland science, policy, and practice, as well as paper presentations on climate-smart livestock production, rangeland degradation and restoration, land tenure, and conflict management.
“A high level panel will also discuss “Reimagining Nigeria’s rangelands for resilience and food security among other issues.
The Director said that at the end of the event, contributions will be made to continental and global platforms including the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the African Union Agenda 2063”.
“The CDA is a World Bank and AFD-supported Africa Centre of Excellence. The Centre has provided leadership in dryland research, capacity development, and policy engagement across West and Central Africa.
Africa 247 reports that, the conference is themed: “Promoting Sustainability and Resilience of Rangelands: Present and Future Outlooks.”