By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE The Ministry of Agriculture has commended the Abatement of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, ASLCP, Project for its positive influence on farmers’ attitudes and practices, particularly abandoning bush burning practices.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, made the commendation in a keynote address delivered at the ‘Close-Out Workshop of the Abatement of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants’ in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector with the theme: ‘Local Action, National Impact: Building Resilience through Climate-Smart Agriculture’, held on Thursday in Abuja.

Ogunbiyi noted that the project though coming to a close marks an important milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural sector as farmers behaviour had really changed in their farming practices.

He disclosed that the project was implemented by Self Help Africa in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with funding support from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, saying it “exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in translating global climate commitments into local action.”

He also explained that the Short-lived climate pollutants—especially black carbon from open field burning, and methane from rice cultivation and livestock systems—are among the most potent contributors to near-term global warming.

He added that their lifespan in the atmosphere is relatively short, their warming impact is significantly higher than that of carbon dioxide, with serious consequences for air quality, human health, and agricultural sustainability.

The project officially commenced with an inception workshop on 26th March 2024. Though initially designed for an 18-month duration, its extension allowed for deeper community engagement and consolidation of results.

He said: “For Nigeria—where agriculture remains central to livelihoods, employment, and food security—addressing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants presents a unique triple-win opportunity: to slow near-term climate warming,to improve air quality and public health, and to strengthen agricultural productivity and resilience.

“Today’s event is not merely the conclusion of a project cycle; it marks an important milestone in Nigeria’s collective effort to confront climate change through practical, farmer-centred, and scalable agricultural solutions—particularly in reducing short-lived climate pollutants that pose immediate risks to our environment, health, and food

“Most importantly, the project achieved measurable behavioural change. Farmers moved away from traditional burning practices and embraced conservation agriculture techniques that protect soil health, improve yields, and reduce emissions.

“These demonstration plots have since evolved into community learning centres, strengthening peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and ensuring local ownership of climate-smart innovations.”

The Permanent Secretary also highlighted that the project’s implementation led to key achievements.

“Implementation covered all six geopolitical zones of the Federation, with a major demonstration site located in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State—a location that provided clear evidence of the impact of well-designed, community-driven interventions.

“Across over 20 demonstration plots in 15 communities, farmers successfully adopted improved and climate-smart agricultural practices, including: water-efficient rice production methods that reduce methane emissions;climate-resilient cowpea cultivation techniques; sustainable residue management and mulching practices that replaced open field burning; and the introduction of locally fabricated briquette-making technologies, converting agricultural waste into clean and usable energy sources.

“Most importantly, the project achieved measurable behavioural change. Farmers moved away from traditional burning practices and embraced conservation agriculture techniques that protect soil health, improve yields, and reduce emissions.

“These demonstration plots have since evolved into community learning centres, strengthening peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and ensuring local ownership of climate-smart innovations.”

However, he pointed out some salient challenges during project implementation, including; poor rural access roads affecting logistics and market connectivity; limited infrastructure for manure and crop residue management; inadequate access to farm equipment and affordable financing; and gaps in awareness regarding no-burn practices and agricultural credit opportunities.

Earlier, in an address of welcome, the Director, Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, ALCCMS, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Oshadiya Olanipekun said, “Over the course of this project, particularly through its implementation in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State and across the six geopolitical zones, we have witnessed encouraging results. Farmers adopted improved practices in rice and cowpea production, sustainable crop residue management, and alternatives to open-field burning, including the use of locally fabricated briquette technologies.

“These interventions not only reduced emissions but also strengthened resilience and livelihoods at the community level”, .

In a remark, the Country Director, Self Help Africa, Joy Aderele, commended the support by the Federal Government during the implementation of the project while highlighting it’s impact and importance.

“Implemented with the generous support of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, this project has demonstrated practical and scalable no-burn alternatives that reduce black carbon and other short-lived climate pollutants, while improving soil health, farm productivity, and farmer livelihoods. The project has also strengthened extension systems, built farmer capacity, and generated evidence to inform policy and national action.

“Today’s meeting provides an important platform to share results, lessons learned, and field experiences, and to collectively reflect on strategies for sustaining and scaling no-burn practices beyond the life of this project”, Aderele added.