Empowering Nigeria's Coastal Communities Through Inclusive Climate-Resilience Solutions
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In the coastal communities of Cross River State, Nigeria, the fragile mangrove ecosystem provides essential resources but faces relentless pressure. For generations, the women who represent the backbone of the fisheries value chain depended on traditional methods for smoking their fish, a process that demanded vast quantities of wood, contributing to deforestation.
This was the reality of the women in Mbarakom, Creek Town, known locally as Obio Oko, a riverine town in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Among them are Emilia Nta Cobham, Ako Asuquo Ita, and Edim Edim Itu, diligent traders and members of Like Minds Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, who make their living selling smoked catfish and crayfish caught from the mangroves and running rivers. Their livelihood was shaped by demanding physical work and the environmental challenges associated with their occupation.
With funding from the United Kingdom through its Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) programme, FAO supported efforts to strengthen mangrove conservation and improve the resilience of fisheries-dependent communities in Cross River State. The project enhanced national and state capacities for sustainable mangrove management, promoted alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on forests, and encouraged community-led conservation, reaching more than 4 800 community members (including over 3 000 women) across 50 communities.
Before the project introduced energy-efficient technology, the work was physically rigorous and inefficient. Ako, a mother, farmer, and trader, vividly recalled the struggle for fuel and space: “Formerly, when those fishermen came back from fishing, we bought from them and went to the bush to fetch firewood to use for smoking the fish.” The tools they used were also inadequate, severely limiting their production. “We normally suffer because the tiny wire we have to use to smoke will not contain the number of fish we are supposed to smoke,” she added. This situation limited their income, restricted production, and perpetuated environmental harm through continuous tree felling for fuel.
The solution came in the form of the FTT energy-efficient fish processing oven. This innovation drastically reduces wood consumption, directly protecting the mangrove forests, while simultaneously transforming productivity. Ako is proud to state, “But now we cannot suffer like that because we have our oven here.” The difference in capacity is enhanced. The new facility now can process “more than 500 fish at one usage”, according to Edim Itu, Coordinator, Mbarakom Community, Creek Town Cluster. For an individual woman, this means scaling up productivity and boosting earnings.
The economic impact of improved quality and faster processing is immediate and sustainable. Edim explained that the fish dried in the modern oven, particularly catfish, fetch a higher market price. “When we dry it, we calculate more than what we sell,” she said, noting that the women can now sell the finished product of about 0.7 kg-1 kg for “₦4 000 (USD 2.78) to ₦5 000 (USD 3.47), depending on the size.” This increased profitability has strengthened women’s financial independence. Emilia shared how the change has improved her life: “Now my income enables me to buy provisions for my family, save and do other things.”
The project supported equipping and setting up 50 Village Saving Association groups/cooperatives. One of the benefiting cooperatives, Like Minds Cooperative, offers free drying services for people in the community, ensuring inclusive access to climate-smart technology. Furthermore, they believe that they have transitioned into a local extension network. “Like now we are training people in the community also,” Edim noted, confirming that they are transferring their knowledge to other women and youth. By sharing skills, communities extend the benefits of cleaner processing, reduced fuelwood use, and mangrove conservation – supporting a broader shift toward sustainable livelihoods.
Today, this transformation stands as a model of FAO’s climate-smart approach to fisheries and aquaculture, demonstrating how local innovation can advance gender equality, environmental protection, and livelihood diversification in coastal Nigeria.