In a bid to address climate change and enhance agricultural productivity, the Kano State Government has partnered with Tourba, a leading organization specializing in carbon agriculture.
Speaking at a recent stakeholder consultation on carbon farming, the state’s commissioner for environment and climate change, Dr. Tahir Muhammad, pointed out that the state’s partnership with Tourba provides an opportunity to introduce more sustainable farming practices while also mitigating the impacts of climate change.
“Climate change affects us all, and its consequences are felt deeply in both urban and rural areas. This initiative provides a unique solution that can contribute to climate resilience while enhancing agricultural output,” he remarked.
Dr. Muhammad further stressed the role of stakeholder involvement in ensuring the success of the project. According to him, by engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, government bodies, and agricultural experts, the state aims to ensure the correct information reaches those who need it the most. This will empower local farmers to transition to more sustainable and profitable agricultural practices.
He explained that the partnership with Tourba will focus on the implementation of carbon farming techniques that capture and store carbon in the soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In return, farmers will be rewarded with carbon credits, offering them a long-term financial benefit while promoting sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Muhammad confirmed that the state government is committed to providing the necessary support and creating an enabling environment to ensure the success of the project.
Country Manager for the Tourba project, Okpe Filani, also highlighted the importance of educating farmers about the practical benefits of carbon farming.
Speaking about the stakeholder engagement process, Filani explained that Tourba does not initially introduce carbon credits to farmers but instead focuses on how adopting the new practices will increase their crop yields and, by extension, their profits.
“Our goal is to show farmers the immediate benefits of improved farming practices. Carbon credits will follow as a long-term reward for adopting sustainable practices,” Filani said.
Tourba has committed to supporting farmers in the state by providing continuous training through agricultural extension workers.
These workers will ensure that farmers are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to maintain these sustainable practices for years to come.
According to Filani, the success of the program depends on the continued engagement of the farmers over the years.