Cultivating a Greener Future: How the CORE Nigeria Project is Transforming Rice Farming

Here at AyosifamHub, our mission is to empower farmers with the tools and knowledge to build a more sustainable and profitable future. That’s why we’re so excited to share an inspiring initiative that aligns perfectly with our vision: the Carbon Offsetting Rice Emissions (CORE) Nigeria project.

Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in partnership with OLAM Agri, this innovative project, operating in Benue, Nasarawa, and Kano states, is transforming rice cultivation into a climate-resilient and more sustainable enterprise for smallholder farmers.

 

A New Way to Farm: Smart and Sustainable Practices

The CORE project introduces several climate-smart practices that not only reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also cut costs and boost yields. These are not just scientific ideas; they are practical techniques that can make a real difference on the farm.

1. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD): This technique optimizes water use in rice paddies, saving this precious resource while significantly cutting methane emissions, a powerful climate-warming gas.

2. Biochar Production: Farmers are being trained to create and apply biochar, a charcoal-like substance, to their soil. Biochar improves soil health, retains nutrients, and helps store carbon long-term, making the land more fertile.

3. Azolla Integration: Azolla, a fast-growing aquatic fern, naturally fixes nitrogen in rice fields. By using it, farmers can reduce their reliance on expensive synthetic fertilizers, which lowers production costs and boosts crop productivity.

4. Reducing Post-Harvest Losses (PHL): The project introduces improved methods for harvesting, drying, and storage. These simple changes minimize waste, ensuring that more of the hard-earned harvest makes it to the market.

Beyond these agricultural techniques, the project is also actively exploring the feasibility of women’s empowerment by increasing their participation and strengthening their entrepreneurial skills within the value chain.

 

The Game-Changing Innovation: Rewarding Climate Action

The most innovative aspect of the CORE project is its effort to connect these sustainable farming practices to the global carbon market. The project is developing and submitting new carbon certification methodologies to international bodies.

The goal is to create a system where smallholder farmers are directly rewarded for their efforts in reducing emissions. Through an equitable benefit-sharing system, farmers who adopt these climate-smart practices will be able to earn from the carbon credits generated, providing them with a new stream of income. This is a powerful step towards making environmental sustainability a profitable venture for rural communities.

 

Project Objectives and Key Figures

With a total financial volume of 2.5 million Euro, the main objective of the CORE project is to create the conditions and mechanisms for smallholder farmers to get paid for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that they achieve in the rice value chain.

The project aims to achieve the following:

1. 12,000 smallholder farmers trained in new technologies and practices to reduce GHG emissions.

2. 3,000 female smallholders strengthened as leaders and entrepreneurs.

3. 1 Project Design Document submitted to an international standard setter.

4. 2 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed with relevant stakeholders to scale project outcomes and learnings.

 

Building a Broad-Based Partnership for a Sustainable Impact

The CORE Nigeria project is a testament to the power of collaboration. By working closely with Nigerian ministries, research institutions, farmer groups, and private sector leaders like OLAM Agri, the project ensures a broad-based and sustainable impact. This approach aligns with Nigeria’s national agricultural agenda and promotes long-term resilience by building on existing initiatives and drawing from past experiences in the rice sector. It’s a clear roadmap for how we can modernize agriculture to be more resilient, resource-efficient, and profitable for everyone involved.