Green Gold: Climate-Smart Agriculture, Carbon Markets & Sustainable Business Strategies

During the Green Gold interactive training workshop in Paris, the leadership of the Women Farmers Advancement Network of Nigeria (WOFAN) and key partners from Academia and the Public and Private Sector set out to develop the strategy for the future of WOFAN, building on 30+ years of success in supporting women farmers towards sustainable agriculture practice, and incorporating the challenges and opportunities of climate change.
I had the pleasure to participate as International Water and Climate Change Advisor in this dynamic and forward looking exercise lead by Prospects Development Services, UK.

WOFAN has developed a unique and effective structure for making local farming cooperative, sustainable and profitable in a pro-poor and gender-sensitive way. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Salamatu Garba, 675.000 women farmers united in 22.500 self-help groups and guided by the tools, trainings and support network of the WOFAN Women Empowerment Foundation, cover their family needs and obtain additional income from their jointly processed and marketed products. The network is the backbone of a transformative agricultural practice in Northern Nigeria, where traditional methods are paired with scientific innovation and tailored to the local sociocultural setting.

In addition to ensuring that current agricultural practices are climate-smart, there was agreement to complement the current range of products with carbon sequestering crops that are nutritious and marketable. These tree plantations in strategic locations not only will compensate the carbon emissions produced by rice, but also are envisioned to bring additional carbon credits for the network and its members. Furthermore, they will provide shade for their farms and settlements and improve health and wellbeing.
A summary video can be accessed here.