Agriculture is an essential part of existence in the world. Food is necessary to sustain animals and humans. It also contributes to economic growth, accounting for 24% of the GDP in Nigeria. Agricultural development and advancement are catalysts to end extreme poverty, improve health and well-being, promote inclusion, etc. However, according to “Emissions in agricultural-based developing economies: A case of Nigeria” by Davis Iheke, Nigeria has about 6.5 million hectares of arable land and 34 million hectares for agricultural purposes, and the agricultural sector constitutes 51.2% of Nigeria’s greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions. You may wonder, as critical as the sectors are for sustained livelihood, how is the agricultural sector a pivotal contributor to greenhouse gas emissions?
Emissions in the agricultural sector are primarily from livestock such as cows, soil management practices and energy generation. First, these emissions are from livestock like cattle that produce methane (CH4) during food digestion (enteric fermentation). Secondly, managing manure from livestock, including storage and treatment, results in the release of Nitrous oxide (N2O) or CH4 emissions into the atmosphere. Also, Nitrous Oxide (N2O) emissions from synthetic fertilisers and crop residues. In addition, farming certain crops like rice contributes to agricultural activities like bush burning and greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, using fossil fuels and inefficient appliances for farm operations contributes to GHG emissions.
The awareness of how human activities in the agricultural sector contribute to carbon emissions is essential in aiding us to take the proper steps to mitigate and take adaptive measures to decarbonise this crucial sector. Implementing this involves;
- Practising regenerative agriculture by reducing soil disturbances like tilling and integrating cover crops into the farmland. Also, applying organic fertilisers like farmyard manure and compost can improve soil quality better than inorganic options.
- Enhancing soil quality by managing and planning nutrient applications; A typical example is cutting down on urea application to cut down nitrous oxide emissions on farmlands.
- Managing livestock to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation by planning livestock farming and selecting improved breeds that finish quickly (mature early for consumption) will significantly reduce the farm’s carbon footprint.
- Introducing feed additives and selecting high-quality feeds to reduce emissions from enteric fermentation will improve clean livestock production. Cultivating forage with high quality, planting legumes and utilising enzymes to inhibit methane production by introducing compound 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) are steps to improve feed quality.
- Improving manure management from farm waste will reduce nitrous oxide. The application of slurry to compost, capturing and combusting methane from manure storage and covering facilities where manure is stored are essential steps to cut emissions.
- Adapting energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation on the farms will significantly decarbonise farms.
- Introducing renewable energy on the farm to power farm appliances, motors, pumps, etc., instead of fossil-based fuels.
Taking the proper steps to cut down on GHG emissions in the agricultural sector will not only help to decarbonisation globally but will set us on track to attaining global goals of net-zero by 2050