Tourba expands carbon farming initiative to Bauchi

Segun Babatunde Awofadeji, Bauchi

Tourba, a leading agri-tech and nature-based solutions developer has expanded its groundbreaking carbon farming initiative to Bauchi State State as part of its commitment to scale regenerative agriculture across the country.

The initiative particularly aims to boost agricultural yields while integrating farmers into the global carbon market.

The firm organised a one-day event that brought together smallholder farmers, local communities, and key agricultural stakeholders in Bauchi State yesterday, engaging them on  the benefits of regenerative agriculture and how Nigerian farmers can earn revenue through carbon credits.

The Country Manager of Tourba, Mr Opeoluwa Filani while highlighting the importance of Carbon Farming  during a stakeholders engagement held at Hazibal Hotel and Suites, Bauchi yesterday said the programme is designed to improve food production, increase farmers’ incomes, and contribute to climate change mitigation by promoting carbon sequestration.

and called on farmers to take advantage of the initiative.

While also highlighting how the firm’s approach is transforming agricultural practices in Nigeria,he explained that the mpact of the programme extends beyond sustainability,as  “It provides financial incentives, we provide support in the value chain for farmers while improving soil health and increasing crop productivity.”

According to him, Tourba is a nature-based solutions project developer and a subsidiary of Startup Studio, an incubator based in Morocco. Tourba launched in 2022, focusing on regenerative agriculture in Morocco and has since expanded to Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Brazil.

The company specializes in carbon sequestration through sustainable farming practices, enabling farmers to access carbon markets.

Our goal is to empower Nigerian farmers to transition into sustainable agriculture through carbon markets,” Filani stated during his presentation.

He added that  “Carbon farming doesn’t only help the planet, it directly improves soil health, enhances yields, and gives farmers an additional source of income through the sale of carbon credits.”

Filani noted that during the pilot phase, Tourba initially targeted 10,000 hectares but exceeded expectations, achieving 15,000 hectares of land under sustainable agricultural practices.

iHe also introduced the farmers to the revenue-sharing model, which ensures that larger percent of the proceeds from carbon credit sales go directly to them.

Also speaking, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr Iliyasu Aliyu Gital said that the state government  is committed to collaborating with any organisation that is out to improve sustainable agricultural practices, particularly the recently introduced Carbon farming.

Dr Gital who expressed concern over the impact of climate change on agriculture and the environment said the Tourba initiative would mitigate climate change,  improve agricultural productivity and enhance economic status of farmers through the sales of carbon.

While commending the organisation for selecting Bauchi among the states to benefit from the programme,he promised that the State government would mobilise farmers through Agric Extension Service to embrace the initiative. END