One Acre Fund Nigeria has launched its 2024 Agroforestry tree distribution initiative, aiming to provide 6 million free tree seedlings to 220,000 farmers in Kwara, Nasarawa, and Niger states.
The launch event took place in Pyata Gari village, Bosso Local Government Area, and was hailed as a significant step towards sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event in Minna, Zainab Haruna, the Trees Lead of One Acre Fund Nigeria, explained that the initiative aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change. “Climate change has negatively affected our lands by depleting soil nutrients and altering rainfall patterns. This program offers farmers a means to mitigate these effects and ensure continued harvests while providing alternative income sources,” she said.
Haruna highlighted the environmental benefits of the trees, such as protecting land from erosion. Farmers can also harvest and sell the trees for furniture once they mature. She urged farmers to care for the free seedlings.
Raji Shehu Adams, State Project Coordinator for Agro-Climatic Resistance Land Scale (ACRESAL), also spoke, noting that the project will span the 19 Northern States and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. This World Bank-assisted initiative aims to restore one million hectares of land across these regions over the next six years through tree seedling distribution, including low-seed and economic trees.
Adams emphasized that planting these trees will help restore land and enhance soil nutrients, benefiting both agriculture and livestock. He outlined the livelihood enhancement component of the project, which includes community-revolving funds distributed among cooperatives of five to ten communities (C.I.G.). Approximately five communities will benefit from a $25,000 fund to improve farming practices. These funds will remain within the communities, fostering local economic development.
