CARBON CREDITS: A PANACEA FOR MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AMONG ROOT AND TUBER CROPS FARMERS IN NIGERIA

Climate change poses significant challenges to agricultural sustainability, particularly in regions
like Nigeria where rural communities depend heavily on root and tuber crops for livelihoods
and food security. This paper explores the potential of carbon credits as a solution to mitigate
the adverse effects of climate change while fostering sustainable agricultural development
among root and tuber crops farmers in Nigeria. The study examines the current climate change
scenario in Nigeria, highlighting its impacts on agriculture, especially on root and tuber crops
which constitute a significant portion of the country's agricultural output. It discusses the
vulnerability of rural farmers to climate variability and the need for adaptive strategies to ensure
food security and livelihood sustainability. Furthermore, the paper delves into the concept of
carbon credits and their role in incentivizing climate-friendly agricultural practices among rural
farmers. It explores the mechanisms through which farmers can participate in carbon credit
programs, such as adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques, implementing agroforestry
practices, and reducing deforestation and land degradation. Drawing upon existing literature and
case studies, the abstract evaluates the potential benefits and challenges of integrating carbon
credit schemes into rural agricultural systems in Nigeria. It discusses the economic,
environmental, and social implications of such initiatives, including income generation for
farmers, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and community resilience to climate
change impacts. This paper highlights the importance of policy support and institutional
frameworks in facilitating the adoption of carbon credit mechanisms by rural farmers. It
emphasizes the need for capacity building, access to finance, and technical assistance to enhance
the participation of smallholder farmers in carbon market initiatives.