By Stella Odueme
In an effort to accelerate food and nutrition security, promote climate change, generate employment as well as 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 strategized to mitigate Short – Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) effect on farmlands.
The project aims at reducing the short – lived carbon emission from agricultural waste that will assist to increase the adaptive capacity of Nigeria farmers.
Speaking 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, Agricultural lands, and Climate Management Services, Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun stated that the 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 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.
“Nigerian Agricultural sector contributes 24 per cent to the country’s GDP and employs over 70 per cent of the population with predominantly small holder 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,” he said.
He added 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 assured of ministry’s full support for the project to reduce open burning where it is predominant.
He noted that the project would target 500 farmers and 35 extension officers and that the training, demonstration and capacity building activities will take place in Gboko, Benue State.
He therefore urged participants to take this 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 stated that the organization has almost 50 years experience working with farmers in Africa and 25 years in Nigeria.
‘’The vision is to create sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate, ” she stated.
She said her 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 that the 18 months project would contribute to achieve the goals of Nigeria’s 2019 National Action Plan to mitigate SLCPs, which aimed at reducing black carbon emissions by 83 per cent and methane emissions by 61 per cent by 2030.
Participants for the workshop were drawn from State Ministries of Agriculture, Extension Service Workers and Developmental Partners.
