Sustainable agriculture boosts yields, generates carbon credits for Nigerian farmers

Transcript

00:00Across rural Nigeria, farmers like Ali Uharana are helping the country plant the seeds of

00:13a new kind of green economy, one where sustainable agriculture can generate carbon credits and

00:20new income.

00:22Through a partnership between the government and agritech firm ThriveAgric, smallholders

00:28are being supported to adopt climate smart practices to enhance their yields and engage

00:34in carbon sequestration and boost yields.

00:39I have recorded much progress.

00:43First, my yields increased, the fields are stronger and better, and the nutrients in the

00:48soil intact.

00:49Before, when we farmed, we used too much fertilizer, and the yield wasn't as favorable.

00:56ThriveAgric already works with close to 1 million farmers across 22 states, 40% of them women.

01:04Their yields are often three times higher than the national average, thanks to improved farming

01:10and soil management.

01:11Regenerative practices that have seen carbon sequester such that such soil being utilized

01:18can then be utilized even better for other planting seasons.

01:23So this has essentially increased soil efficiency.

01:26We've also taken engagements on agroforestry, practicing silviculture, where the traditional form of planting

01:34is involved with growing trees, and in this case economic trees, such as fruit, tea trees, neem,

01:42and trees that can fetch additional income for farmers.

01:44It is that by so doing, there is also carbon sequestration that helps soil health improve, as well as provide

01:52additional income for the farmers.

01:54Carbon credits help a farmer's yield grow by incentivizing and financing sustainable practices

02:01that improve soil health.

02:03These practices, such as using cover crops, capture carbon in the soil, which leads to increased fertility,

02:11better water retention, and reduced erosion.

02:14Farmers can then sell the resulting carbon credits to generate revenue, which can be reinvested in

02:21their farms and provide additional income beyond crop sales.

02:27Nigeria's carbon markets activation policy development under the African Carbon Markets Initiative is part of

02:34broader plans to finance its energy transition plan, which needs over $410 billion to reach net zero emissions,

02:44by 2060. Agriculture offers one of the fastest ways to generate verified carbon credits,

02:52while improving food security and livelihoods.

02:56With carbon credit generation, we find out that there is a lot of opportunity there,

03:02providing energy like cooking, cooking gas, and the stove converting so many things into use,

03:09and it has become a very good opportunity for agriculture, especially when we come to

03:15when we come to increasing the yield of agriculture.

03:18Because when you make use of the carbon, you make use of the carbon,

03:22you reduce the waste and every other thing, you'll find out that the environment,

03:26the environment where plants can grow can also be fresh, not just fresh, but also be green.

03:33If fully implemented, Nigeria's carbon markets could mobilize billions in green investments,

03:40support millions of rural jobs, and ensure farmers are part of Africa's growing climate economy,

03:47not just as participants, but as real beneficiaries.