News in Brief:
– The Nigerian government is working with Self Help Africa to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) from agriculture by introducing sustainable practices like conservation agriculture and briquette production.
– This initiative targets improved food security, climate change mitigation, and job creation in the agricultural sector.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) is collaborating with Self Help Africa (SHA) to address a critical issue in Nigerian agriculture, short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).
This initiative aims to improve food security, mitigate climate change, and create jobs while promoting Nigeria as a leading global food producer, according to a statement by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, during a recent Inception Workshop on the implementation of Nigeria Abatement of the pollutant.
Specifically, the project focuses on reducing short-lived climate pollutants generated by agricultural waste burning. These pollutants harm farmlands and contribute to climate change. The initiative will introduce sustainable alternatives to open burning, such as conservation agriculture and the production of briquettes from agricultural waste.
Fashedemi also noted the crucial link between food security and climate change. He highlighted the need for a shift towards climate-smart agricultural practices that address both challenges.
Additionally, he explianed how Nigeria’s government is addressing climate change through its commitment to reducing SLCPs. The ministry received approval from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) for a project titled Abatement of SLCPs in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector by Reducing Open Field Burning (No Burn Alternatives).
This project aims to reduce open burning practices in high-prevalence areas. The initiative will target 500 farmers and 35 extension officers in Gboko, Benue State. Training, demonstrations, and capacity-building activities are planned to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement sustainable agricultural practices.
Furthermore, the 18-month initiative contributes to achieving the goals outlined in Nigeria’s 2019 National Action Plan for mitigating SLCPs. This plan targets significant reductions in black carbon (83%) and methane (61%) emissions by 2030.
The workshop brought together participants from various stakeholders, including State Ministries of Agriculture, extension service workers, and development partners.
