From 11–13 June 2025, the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP), in collaboration with AfricaRice, co-convened a “Strategic Knowledge Exchange Visit on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Sampling Methods”. The visit brought together researchers from the Institute for Agricultural Research – Ahmadu Bello University and Federal University Dutse (Nigeria), and the AfricaRice Center (Côte d’Ivoire), with the aim of fostering peer-to-peer learning and enhancing technical expertise in GHG emission measurement in rice cultivation.

This initiative supported the outcomes of a grant agreement between the SouthSouthNorth (SSN) and the Institute for Agricultural Research, focusing on building institutional capacity and strengthening collaboration between Nigerian institutions and AfricaRice. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in a combination of field visits, laboratory tours, and technical training.

The visit began with a warm welcome from the Deputy Director of Research and Innovation, followed by an overview of AfricaRice’s diverse programs and field visits to key experimental sites. Delegates explored cutting-edge research on biochar and nitrogen fertilizer trials, rice-fish culture systems, water and nutrient management, multiple-harvest rice varieties, cropping system diversification, and seed multiplication units.

The second day focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement techniques, featuring in-depth sessions on static chamber-based sampling methods and practical demonstrations for methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide collection, complemented by laboratory visits to observe gas chromatography analysis.

The exchange concluded with a shared commitment to continue collaboration, apply improved GHG measurement techniques in ongoing research, and contribute to the development of more accurate, climate-smart agricultural policies across West Africa.

Key Outcomes

1. Participants gained valuable experience in GHG data collection, handling, and analysis.
2. Strengthened research linkages/collaboration between Nigerian institutions and Africa Rice Center.
3. The training directly supports the effective rollout of the AfCAP-funded baseline GHG emissions project in Nigeria.
4. Insights from the workshop will guide future contributions to national climate reporting, including Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).