Carbon Sequestration Implementation through Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (SALM) Methodology in Nigeria

Abstract

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) as an adaptation strategy that helps rural farmers adapt to climate change by making them resilient to its effects. SALM methodology is a CSA practice that promotes carbon sequestration, which in the long run increase farmers’ productivity. This study assessed SALM methodology using RothC model to calculate the effi- cacy of CSA on Umar Lere farm. Activity Baseline and Monitoring Survey was used to acquire data for a period of 3 years of practicing SALM methodology. Results showed that after 3 years of SALM adoption, the farm produced maize (2.6), soybeans (0.7), guinea corn (1.1), and tomatoes (1.7) tons/hectare/year respectively in 2015 compared to maize (1.2), soybeans (0.3), guinea corn (1.6), and tomatoes (0.7) tons/hectare/year respectively produced in 2012. The farm also recorded 56 trees sequestrating 10.2 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare in 2015 compared to 15 trees sequestrating 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide per year in 2012. In 3 years, Umar Lere farm significantly increased its crop yields from the project; RothC model shows that the modelled soil carbon stock changes increased significantly as a result of the adoption of SALM practices from around 0:5 tCO2 ha-1yr-1 in 2012 to 3:5 ha-1 yr-1 in 2015.