The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMA&FS) in collaboration with the Self Help Africa (SHA) Group has strategized to mitigate Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) effect on farmlands.
This is done to accelerate food and nutrition security, promote climate change, generate employment and transform Nigeria into a leading global food producer.
The project aims to reduce the short-lived carbon emissions from agricultural waste that will assist in increasing the adaptive capacity of Nigerian farmers.
The Permanent Secretary FMA&FS Temitope Fashedemi, who was represented by the Director, of Agricultural Lands, and Climate Management Services, Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun made this known recently.
He was speaking during the Workshop on the implementation of Nigeria Abatement of SLCPs, in Abuja. He assured that the implementation of SLCP would replace the open field burning of agricultural waste with clean alternatives like conservation agriculture, briquette making, among others.
He said 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 address both food security and climate change.
Fashedemi said, “Nigerian Agricultural sector contributes 24% to the Country’s GDP and employs over 70% of the population with predominantly smallholder farmers, a very critical reason emphasis must be on climate resilience in the sector.
“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 FMA&FS that the project would target 500 farmers and 35 extension officers while urging stakeholders to embrace the development as climate change is a reality that negatively affects the sector and the opportunity the project presents in mitigating its effects.
In her remarks, the Country Director, SHA, Joy Aderele stated that the organization’s vision is to create sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate
She pledged that their Organization would collaborate with the Federal Government to strengthen existing structures, enhance resilience and improve crop yields among others.
Earlier the Project Manager (SHA), Julius Awu noted that the 18-month project would contribute to achieving the goals of Nigeria’s 2019 National Action Plan to mitigate SLCPs, which aimed at reducing black carbon emissions by 83% and methane emissions by 61% by 2030.