In an effort to accelerate food and nutrition security, promote climate change resilience, generate employment and transform Nigeria into a leading global food producer, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with the Self Help Africa (SHA) Group, has initiated strategies to mitigate the effects of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) on farmlands.
The project aims to reduce short-lived carbon emissions from agricultural waste and increase the adaptive capacity of Nigerian farmers.
During the inception workshop on the implementation of Nigeria Abatement of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) in Abuja, the permanent secretary of the ministry,Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, represented by the director of agricultural lands and climate management services, Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun highlighted the importance of implementing SLCP mitigation measures. These measures include replacing open-field burning of agricultural waste with clean alternatives such as conservation agriculture and briquette making.
Fashedemi emphasised the close link between food security and climate change, noting key opportunities in the agricultural sector to transition towards climate-smart systems that address both issues. He highlighted the significant contribution of the Nigerian agricultural sector to the country’s GDP and employment, underscoring the need for climate resilience in the sector, particularly among smallholder farmers.
He further revealed that Nigeria is committed to reducing SLCPs as part of its climate change mitigation efforts and has received approval from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) for the project abatement of SLCPs in the Nigerian agricultural sector. The project targets 500 farmers and 35 extension officers, with training and capacity-building activities planned in Gboko, Benue State.
Open burning in agriculture, Fashedemi explained, leads to air pollution, soil degradation and climate change, emphasising the urgency of adopting alternative practices. He urged participants to spread awareness about the project’s goals and opportunities to mitigate the negative effects of climate change in their respective communities.
The country director of Self Help Africa (SHA),Joy Aderele highlighted the organisation’s vision of creating sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives in Africa. She pledged SHA’s collaboration with the Federal Government to strengthen existing structures, enhance resilience and improve crop yields.
The project manager at SHA,Julius Awu outlined the objectives of the 18-month project, which align with Nigeria’s National Action Plan to mitigate SLCPs. The project aims to significantly reduce black carbon and methane emissions by 2030, contributing to Nigeria’s climate change mitigation goals.
Participants at the workshop included representatives from state ministries of agriculture, extension service workers and developmental partners, demonstrating a collaborative effort to address the challenges posed by SLCPs in agriculture.
