The Federal Government in collaboration with the Self Help Africa (SHA) Group has concluded an arrangement to roll out mitigating strategies to arrest the effect of Short – Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) on farmlands.
The plan is to also increase the adaptive capacity of Nigeria farmers, accelerate food and nutrition security, promote climate change, generate employment as well as transform Nigeria into a leading global food producer.
Speaking at the workshop on the implementation of Nigeria’s abatement of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs), which took place at Debbie’s Suites, Orozo, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, said implementation of SLCP would replace the open field burning of agricultural waste with clean alternatives like conservation agriculture, briquette making among others.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director, Agricultural Lands, and Climate Management Services, Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun, stated that food security and climate change are closely linked and there are key opportunities that exist in the sector to transform towards climate-smart systems that addresses both food security and climate change.
Mr. Fashedemi revealed that “Nigerian Agricultural sector contributes 24% to the Country’s GDP and employs over 70% of the population with predominantly small holder farmers, a very critical reason emphasis must be on climate resilience in the sector”.
He added that “Nigeria is one of the few countries to highlight its commitment to reduce SLCPs as part of its effort to mitigate the effect of climate change adding that the ministry had submitted an application and approval was given by Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) for the project abatement of SLCPs in the Nigerian agricultural sector by Reducing Open Field Burning (No Burn Alternatives)”.
He further revealed that the ministry is in full support of the project to reduce open burning where it is predominant and that the project is targeting 500 farmers and 35 extension officers.
He also added that the training, demonstration and capacity building activities will take place in Gboko, Benue State.
He described open burning in agriculture as the practice of intentionally setting fire to agricultural residues or fields for various purposes such as land clearing, managing crop residues, controlling pests or preparing fields for planting which consequently lead to air pollution, soil degradation and Climate Change.
He therefore urged participants to take the good news to their respective locations as climate change is a reality that affects the sector in a negative way and the opportunity the project presents in mitigating its effects.
In her remarks, the Country Director, Self Help Africa (SHA), Joy Aderele said SHA has almost 50 years of experience working with farmers in Africa and 25 years in Nigeria adding that its “vision is to create sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate,” the Country Director added.
She pledged that their Organization would collaborate with the Federal Government to strengthen existing structure, enhance resilience and improve crop yields among others.
Earlier In his presentation, the Project Manager (SHA), Julius Awu, said the 18-month project would contribute to achieving the goals of Nigeria’s 2019 National Action Plan.
According to the document, the plan will help mitigate SLCPs, which aims to reduce black carbon emissions by 83 per cent and methane emissions by 61 per cent by 2030.
