The federal government has urged financial institutions to develop tailored products that help farmers adopt low-emission, climate-smart practices to ensure cleaner air, healthier communities, resilient food systems and a more climate-secure Nigeria.

Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Marcus Ogunbiyi, made the call at the Close-Out Workshop of the Abatement of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (ASLCP) in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector on Thursday in Abuja.

The meeting also served as the final project dissemination of ASLCP.

The ASLCP in the Nigerian agricultural sector, focusing on reducing open-field burning, was convened under the theme “Local Action, National Impact: Building Resilience through Climate-Smart Agriculture.”

Mr Ogunbiyi urged extension agents and farmers to remain ambassadors of no-burn agriculture and resilient farming systems, calling on development partners to support scale-up initiatives, longer implementation horizons and results-based financing models.

“The event 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 systems.

“This project, implemented by Self Help Africa in collaboration with the FMAFS with funding support from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in translating global climate commitments into local action.

“As we conclude this project phase, our collective responsibility is to sustain, institutionalise and expand its gains,” he said.

Mr Ogunbiyi explained that the project covered six geopolitical zones of the federation, with a major demonstration site in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State.

Farmers successfully adopted improved and climate-smart agricultural practices across 20 demonstration plots in 15 communities, including water-efficient rice production methods that reduce methane emissions.

He identified climate-resilient cowpea cultivation techniques, sustainable residue management and mulching practices that replaced open-field burning, and locally fabricated briquette-making technologies that convert agricultural waste into clean, usable energy.

“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,” he said.

Mr Ogunbiyi highlighted black carbon from open-field burning and methane from rice cultivation and livestock systems as among the most potent contributors to near-term global warming.

“Though their lifespan in the atmosphere is short, their warming impact is significantly higher than carbon dioxide, with serious consequences for air quality, human health and agricultural sustainability.

“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, improve air quality and public health, and strengthen agricultural productivity and resilience.

“This project has convincingly demonstrated that climate mitigation, adaptation, and food security can be pursued simultaneously, not in isolation,” Mr Ogunbiyi said.

He added that the workshop provided an opportunity to reflect on lessons learnt, share experiences, and explore pathways for scaling up successes.

“The outcomes are highly relevant to national priorities, including Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions, long-term low-emission development strategies, and the broader agricultural transformation agenda,” he added.

He urged policymakers, development partners, financial institutions, researchers, extension agents and farmers to focus on institutionalising gains, strengthening partnerships, and mobilising the necessary support to sustain and expand SLCP mitigation efforts in agriculture.

He also appreciated the Climate and Clean Air Coalition for its timely intervention, noting that the project demonstrated that effective climate action was achievable at the community level and that farmers were active contributors in delivering climate solutions.

Director, Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Services (ALCCMS), Oshadiya Olanipekun, said the workshop marked an important milestone in translating climate commitments into practical, on-the-ground actions.

According to him, the ASLCP project, implemented by Self Help Africa in collaboration with the FMAFS and funded by CCAC, demonstrates that climate-smart agriculture is both achievable and impactful.

He stated, “Short-lived climate pollutants, which include methane and black carbon, pose serious risks to our climate, air quality, and public health.

“In Nigeria, where agriculture remains a major economic driver and a significant emissions source, addressing SLCPs offers a unique opportunity to reduce global warming, improve environmental health, and enhance agricultural productivity. Over the course of this project, particularly through its implementation in the 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.”

Country Director, Self Help Africa, Joy Aderele, said the 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.

Ms Aderele said the project 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 learnt, and field experiences, and to collectively reflect on strategies for sustaining and scaling no-burn practices beyond the life of this project,” she said.

She commended Mr Ogunbiyi, adding that his guidance and collaboration had been critical in advancing climate-smart agriculture and promoting sustainable land management practices across project communities.

(NAN)