82,150 Nasarawa farmers receive moringa, albizia seedlings
In an effort to assuage the intensity of climate change across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State, a non-governmental organisation, One Acre Fund, Nigeria, has commenced the distribution of over 2.3 million albizia lebbeck and moringa tree seedlings to no fewer than 82,150 smallholder farmers in the state. Speaking at the flag-off of […]
In an effort to assuage the intensity of climate change across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State, a non-governmental organisation, One Acre Fund, Nigeria, has commenced the distribution of over 2.3 million albizia lebbeck and moringa tree seedlings to no fewer than 82,150 smallholder farmers in the state.
Speaking at the flag-off of the exercise in the Adogi community of Lafia Local Government Area of the state, the trees lead of One Acre Fund, Nigeria, Zainab Haruna, explained that the organisation aimed to support farmers by providing them with access to high-quality agricultural inputs to end poverty and hunger and generally improve their livelihoods.
While nothing that the gesture was done to reduce the devastating effects of climate change in the state, she, however, posited that tree planting was part of the avenues the organisation assisted farmers to continue to feed themselves, their families and generally enjoy financial stability.
She maintained that if the trees were well nurtured, the farmers would be able to harvest when they reach maturity and enjoy their numerous environmental benefits, which include protecting their farmlands from erosion, affirming that they will also be able to sell some of the trees for furniture purposes.
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“In 2025, One Acre Fund, Nigeria aims to reach 471,700 smallholder farmers across three states – Nasarawa, Kwara and Niger with 12.5 million tree seedlings.
“Out of this total, Nasarawa State alone will receive 2,300,200 pieces of tree seedlings, which will be distributed to 82,150 farmers in the state. This is a testament to our commitment to driving Nigeria’s agro-forestry transformation.
“We are offering this programme because we have seen changes on our lands as climate change continues to have negative effects on them by damaging nutrients within the soil and affecting rainfalls, among other challenges that our farmers face on a regular basis,” she said.
She, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to plant the seedlings and take good care of them, expressing optimism that in the coming years, the trees would serve as an additional source of income that could sustain them and their families.
Earlier, in an interview with the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Umar Tanko-Tunga, represented by a director in the ministry, Lidia Kyari, he appreciated One Acre Fund, Nigeria for the empowerment programme.
The commissioner, however, reiterated the state government’s commitment to continue to support and collaborate with organisations that are making efforts to mitigate the issues of climate change in the state.
On his part, the programme manager, Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme, Umar Jibril Nuhu, averred that by planting trees, the negative effects of climate change would be greatly alleviated across the state.
He admonished the beneficiaries to ensure that the tree seedlings are planted and well nurtured in order to ensure that they mature at the appropriate time.
“I want to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to One Acre Fund, Nigeria for the empowerment programme. I also urge the beneficiaries not to sell the tree seedlings but make good use of them to improve their livelihoods,” he added.
Weekend Trust reports that each of the beneficiaries received a total of 27 tree seedlings, which are to be planted around their farmlands and homes.
One of the beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of the others, Hadiza Adamu, while applauding One Acre Fund, Nigeria for the empowerment, pledged to make good use of the tree seedlings to improve their livelihoods.