News in Brief:
– Niger State is launching a program to help 2,500 farmers access federal carbon credit funds to improve food production and promote sustainable agriculture.
– This plan, alongside mobilising over 1 million farmers for the wet season, aims to boost food security in the state.
In a bid to enhance food security, Niger State in Nigeria has unveiled a plan to assist 2,500 farmers in acquiring carbon credit funds from the federal government. The move is aimed at incentivising sustainable agricultural practices and increase food production.
Dr. Mathew Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, announced the program during the inauguration of the 2024 wet season farming activities.
The scheme leverages carbon credits, a market-based tool where companies can offset their emissions by investing in projects that absorb carbon dioxide, such as improved soil management practices.
Specifically, farmers in the state will receive financial assistance from the federal government’s carbon credit program, to support their agricultural activities. Also, the programme stresses improved soil management techniques that enhance carbon sequestration, potentially benefiting both crop yields and the environment.
Furthermore, the initiative targets a significant boost in food production, with plans to mobilise over 1 million farmers across the state to cultivate a variety of food and cash crops.
This collaboration between the state government and federal carbon credit scheme represents a novel approach to tackling food security challenges in Nigeria. Analyst are of the opinion that by incentivising sustainable practices and empowering farmers, the program has the potential to create a win-win situation for both agricultural production and environmental well-being.
