In the heart of Africa, a quiet revolution is taking root, one that promises to transform the continent’s agricultural landscape while simultaneously combating climate change. At the forefront of this movement is Orange, a telecommunications giant that has been working since 2014 to digitize the African agricultural sector. The company’s suite of services, ranging from consulting to marketplace and farm management, has been designed to bolster producers’ incomes, enhance productivity, and strengthen their position in the agricultural value chain.
Now, Orange is setting its sights on a new frontier: carbon farming. This innovative approach to agriculture is gaining traction as a response to the intertwined challenges of climate change and food security. Carbon farming is a departure from intensive agriculture, which often depletes soil and diminishes its capacity to sequester carbon. Instead, it embraces a set of conservation agriculture practices that reduce CO2 emissions and boost carbon sequestration in the soil.
The benefits of carbon farming are manifold. By restoring soil vitality, it enhances water quality and protects biodiversity. Moreover, it offers a significant economic opportunity for African producers. A recent publication, “Carbon farming in Africa: Opportunities and challenges for engaging smallholder farmers,” highlights the potential of a Payment for Environmental Services (PES) model, based on the carbon market. This model could enable small producers to reconcile the fight against global warming with rural development, providing them with additional income through the sale of carbon credits.
The principles of carbon compensation are well-established. Companies with high carbon emissions can offset their impact by investing in certified carbon sequestration projects. The carbon credit market, both regulated and voluntary, provides a platform for this exchange. However, the market has been marred by malpractice, leading to a loss of credibility.
To address this, a Supervisory Body was created at COP 26 in Glasgow, tasked with developing and supervising the requirements and processes to make the carbon credit mechanism operational and reliable. The ecosystem of players in the voluntary carbon offsetting market is complex, but key roles include the end customer, who buys carbon credits to offset their emissions, and the project holder, who addresses a community of stakeholders whose activities promote carbon sequestration and regeneration.
Despite the promise of carbon farming, several barriers hinder its implementation in Africa. These include the complexity of the processes, the lack of appropriate local regulations, and the need for training and early compensation for producers. Moreover, creating a reliable link between regeneration players and funders through the voluntary carbon credit market is a significant challenge.
To ensure the integrity and authenticity of carbon credits issued, a Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system is essential. However, a unified international methodological framework for MRV is yet to be established. The ORCaSa project and the Soil Carbon International Research Consortium are working towards this goal, aiming to propose a harmonized MRV framework.
As Africa stands on the precipice of this agricultural revolution, the potential benefits are immense. Carbon farming could not only mitigate the impacts of climate change but also unlock new economic opportunities for African producers. The journey is fraught with challenges, but with the right support and collaboration, a more sustainable and prosperous future for African agriculture is within reach.