No Burn Alternatives Gaining Popularity in Nigeria's Benue State

In many parts of the world, burning takes place in specific seasons after crop harvests, creating annual mass burning seasons. Not only do the black carbon emissions from these seasons significantly damage human and ecosystem health, they also damage soil quality and exacerbate wildfires.  

In Nigeria’s Benue State – often referred to as the Food Basket of Nigeria – nearly 80% of the population practice some form of agriculture, usually as smallholders, and agricultural burning is an entrenched practice. However, the state faces several challenges from climate change and is already experiencing the effects of climate change such as sparse rainfall and increased pests. Three-quarters of farmers in the State reported that sparse rainfall had worsened in the past five years. As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria faces significant agricultural challenges, including soil degradation, deforestation, and food insecurity. 

In an effort to improve agricultural sustainability and mitigate black carbon emissions, the Government of Nigeria has begun work with 500 farmers in 100 communities to equip farmers with best practice approaches to reduce and provide alternatives to open field burning while promoting climate-smart agriculture. 

Implemented by Self Help Africa with CCAC support, the project has begun by studying agricultural waste burning to assess current farming practices and the government’s capacity to teach climate smart agriculture practices. Farmers in Benue State mostly farm crops such as cow pea, rice, soybeans, maize, yam, and cassava alongside livestock on farms of an average of three hectares.  

The project’s baseline survey found that farmers perceived burning to be beneficial for adding nutrients to the soil, being cheaper, and being a method of rodent control, among other reasons. Nearly 70% of farmers disposed of agricultural residues by burning.

Burning actually decreases soil quality by compacting and destroying topsoil and organic matter that make agricultural lands productive. The exposure of the soil to the open air also increases surface run-off and erosion, worsening soil quality and natural disasters such as landslides and flooding, as well as necessitating more intense artificial fertilizer usage. 

Not only does open burning damage agricultural soils it also threatens the crops of valuable fruit trees, causes the loss of homes, and damages the health of people exposed to the heavy fumes during burning season.  

While only 10% of the farmers surveyed in Benue state were aware that burning crop residues had negative consequences, 82% did believe it was possible to prepare land for crops without burning. The baseline survey also showed that with over 90% of farmers practicing crop rotation and mixed farming, Benue State demonstrates high potential for expanding sustainable farming practices with more climate-smart techniques.  

Climate-smart alternatives to open burning of crops include using residues for mulching (which reduces herbicide use), animal feed, roofing, and even creating fuel briquettes. The project addressed time, capital, and labor investment concerns about these alternatives by supporting their implementation in a trial farm where other engaged farmers can see the higher yields and improved ecosystem results through soil tests. Some of the alternative uses such as creating fuel briquettes have the potential to generate further income, if farmers can afford the investment in the required machinery. 

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