From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government and the Self Help Africa (SHA) Group have unveiled strategies to mitigate short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) effect on farmlands, to boost food production and generate employment.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,
Temitope Fashedemi, who spoke at a workshop on implementation of Nigeria abatement of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) in Abuja on Thursday, said implementation of the pollutant would replace open field burning of agricultural waste with clean alternatives like conservation agriculture and briquette making.
Represented by the Director, Agricultural Lands, and Climate Management Services, Oshadiya Olanipekun, he said the project aimed at reducing the short – lived carbon emission from agricultural waste that will assist to increase the adaptive capacity of Nigeria farmers.
In a statement yesterday by the Ministry’s Principal Information Officer Obe Mabel, he said: “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 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).”
The Permanent Secretary frowned upon open burning, saying “it is an intentional setting fire to agricultural residues or fields for various purposes such as land clearing, managing crop residues, controlling pest or preparing fields for planting which consequently lead to air pollution, soil degradation and Climate Change.”
He pledged his support for the reduction of open burning where it is predominant saying the project would target 500 farmers and 35 extension officers.
In her remarks, Country Director, Self Help Africa (SHA), Joy Aderele, stated that the Organization had almost 50 years of experience working with farmers in Africa and 25 years in Nigeria.
She pledged that the organization would collaborate with the Federal Government to strengthen existing structure, enhance resilience and improve crop yields among others.
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.